Does the APSIM model capture soil phosphorus dynamics? A case study with Vertisols

•Soil P dynamics in Vertisols are not well understood.•Crop productivity in this sub-tropical region is mostly driven by soil water availability.•APSIM Soil-P parameters attribution lacks guidance.•Labile-P simulation relies on choice of the “rate loss available” coefficient.•More mechanistic understanding required to better understand soil P dynamics.