Abstract
Changes in soil phosphate (P) sorption properties, soil P availability and two runoff‐related parameters, were determined on 32 Italian soils, following application of 100 mg P/kg soil. The ability of soil chemical and physical characteristics, in predicting the relative changes in soil P availability was investigated. Phosphorus Sorption Index (SI) gave the best estimate (r>0.76; P<0.001) of the potential for change in the studied P soil properties. Inclusion of SI into the fertilizer recomniendation process using soil P availability, may improve fertilizer‐use efficiency and reduce the potential for P loss in runoff