By Greg LaBarge, Ohio State University Extension

A spike in phosphorus fertilizer prices, along with lower corn prices, has resulted in a P: Corn price ratio at a historic high. If you use the build-maintain-fertilization strategy, consider using your past buildup rather than applying P fertilizer. I hear two common questions about not applying fertilizer. One question is, “If I do not apply fertilizer, will the crop run short?” The other question is, “How fast will my soil test drop?” Here is some information in response to these two questions.

Let’s start with “If I do not apply fertilizer, will the crop run short?” A key principle to know is that soil-stored phosphorus (P) becomes plant-available at a steady pace throughout the growing season. The soil’s capacity to release soil-store

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