Phosphorus (P) is an essential plant nutrient required for growth. However, it is a finite natural resource that can cause environmental issues when overused in agriculture. Due to challenging soil relationships, the availability and uptake of P can be challenging to predict. Furthermore, soil tests can be misleading for guiding management decisions regarding P fertilizer applications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of soil P levels on the uptake and partitioning of P in young peach trees. We planted a new peach orchard at the Musser Fruit Research Center near Clemson, SC. This orchard contained a widely variable range of P in the soil. Representative trees were removed in August and January and all plant parts were subjected to P analysis. Soil test P levels had no clear relationship with total plant P uptake or partitioning patterns and are likely a poor reference point for P fertilizer management decisions in peach orchards.
