Agronomic and environmental phosphorus decline in coastal plain soils after cessation of manure application

•Historic manure applications can enhance phosphorus (P) loss to surface waters.•Decrease in soil P levels below environmental thresholds can take decades.•Sufficient soil P was available for crop uptake after no P applications for 15 years.•Water-extractable P and P saturation are good indicators for P loss in soils.•Enhanced nutrient management practices are needed to curb P loss from soils.