Soil types and phosphorus levels

Phosphorus 'availability' differs between the various soil types. This is due to the different minerals, organic matter and soil chemistry. The plant growth responses and the appropriate 'Olsen P' values for each of the different soils, have been calibrated using a very large number (thousands) of fertiliser response trials across New Zealand.

For information on fertiliser guidelines, see our series of booklets here. For detailed scientific information on the relationship between pasture production and soil phosphorus, see here.