Phosphate Fertilizer Tie-Up Facts
- Only 10 – 30% of phosphate fertilizer is used in the year it is applied.
- Over the long term, crops recover between 30 to 75% of the phosphate fertilizer applied. That is a long term loss of at least 25%.
- Phosphate is most available in soils with a pH of 6.8. It is quickly tied up with pH's above or below 6.8.
- Soils with higher silt or clay content tie up more phosphate.
- Lower soil temperatures = less phosphate availability.
- Lower soil moisture = less phosphate availability.


