Target phosphorus soil test values for vegetables

Abstract Twenty-two field experiments were conducted on 12 vegetable crops to determine the target Olsen soil test phosphorus (P) values for maximum yield. These experiments were conducted on one soil type, Levin silt loam. It was possible to determine the target values with a degree of certainty for 15 experiments using a quadratic model. The target value was particularly high for winter spinach and high for potato, whereas pea and sweetcorn had low target values. Other crops had intermediate values. Season had an effect on target soil test values; higher values were found under cooler growing conditions.