Large reserves of P have accumulated in soils of developed countries because additions of P fertiliser to sustain agricultural production have exceeded crop removal. By contrast, in many developing countries in the tropics and subtropics, soil P reserves are gravely low and large additions are required before maintenance requirements begin to decline. In addition, the cost of P fertiliser will increase as the currently accessible deposits of high-grade phosphate rock (PR) diminish. Developing plants that efficiently tap soil P reserves and low grade PR is therefore a priority for agricultural research. For the 50th anniversary of the New Zealand Soil Science Society, this paper reviews research on P efficiency in plants, conducted by staff, students, and research associates of Massey University, in the context of other research into plant mechanisms that enhance P uptake, including effects of root geometry, mycorrhizal associations, and root-induced changes in the soil. Techniques for fractionation of soil P are highlighted.