Abstract Evolution of residual phosphate was monitored as function of time on an Ultisol without cropping in a field trial at Sembawa Rubber Research Station, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Three treatments were imposed and either triple superphosphate at a rate of 600 kg ha‐1 containing 21.54% phosphorus (P) or lime at the rate of 4.14 tons ha‐1 was applied. During the 20 months of incubation, extractable phosphate as evaluated by hydrochloric acid‐ammonium fluoride (Bray‐I) declined in all treatments. The decrease in the P fertilized plot was more pronounced in relation to the control and the limed soil. Only 56% of P added to the soil was initially recovered as extractable P. This percentage was 30–40% in limed soils. No significant pH difference was recorded for all treated plots except for limed soils. An increase of 1.3 pH units was initially obtained by liming, but the pH dropped to about 0.9 unit after 20 months of incubation. In addition, total P in arable layer remained fairly constant. According to ...