Abstract Most public and private phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer recommendations are based on soil testing and developed around a critical soil test value (CSTV) to separate responsive and nonresponsive soils. A survey was developed, as part of the Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool (FRST) project activities, to improve understanding of stakeholder utilization of soil‐test‐based information for P and K fertilization. The survey consisted of 23 questions and covered topics pertaining to demographics, soil testing goals, the fertilizer decision‐making process, fertilizer recommendation philosophy, and FRST use. Respondents were grouped into four categories for analysis: farmers ( n = 21), independent crop advisors ( n = 84), industry agronomists ( n = 104), and public‐sector professionals ( n = 29). Soil testing was recognized as an important aspect of P and K fertilization decision‐making by 91% of respondents; however, less than 8% of respondents in any occupation category reported making P and K fertilization decisions exclusively on soil test information. Yield goal was a key determinant of P and K fertilizer rate decisions for stakeholders, particularly for farmers and industry agronomists. Less than one‐half of the farmers, independent crop advisors, and industry agronomist respondents indicated CSTV as being beneficial information to inform rate decisions. The survey results emphasize the importance of strengthening soil‐test‐based P and K fertilizer recommendations to better reflect stakeholder expectations and align with the key factors influencing on‐farm, soil‐test‐based fertilizer decisions.
Bourns et al. (Sun,) studied this question.