Abstract Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for
proper rice growth, and available P in the soil solution is a
direct source of P for rice uptake. In this study, a field
experiment (experiment A: straw retention (SRT) treatment
versus straw removal (SRM) treatment) exposed to 3 years
of continuous SRT and a pot experiment (experiment B:
five P levels; SRT and SRM treatments) with different
concentrations of applied P fertilizer were conducted to
study the effects of SRT and P fertilizer application on the
available P concentration in the soil solution during rice
growth and on rice yield. SRT decreased the available P
concentration in the soil solution, although it did not alter
the trend of available P concentration in the soil solution
during plant growth. In addition, in the 10–20-day period
after transplantation, the available P concentration in the
soil solution was high, although it decreased thereafter. The
available P concentration in the soil solution increased with
the amount of applied P fertilizer, and the rice yield also
increased with increasing applications of P fertilizer. The
results of experiments A and B showed that SRT had no
significant impact on the rice yield; however, continuous
observations over a number of years are required to verify
the results