This paper reviews the literature related to total and organic P (Po) levels present in both agricultural and forest soils from southern Chile. Different reports have demonstrated the high contents of total P (Pt) found in agricultural soils (1,000-3,000 mg kg-1) even in unfertilized soils. In most soils Po represents more than 50% of Pt, mainly as inositol penta- and hexaphosphates linked to Fe and/or Al. Lipid-P has been found in very small quantities suggesting very fast cycling. When phosphate fertilizers are applied to these soils, the bulk of P is accumulated as macromolecular-P complexes closely associated with soil organic matter. Close relationships have been found between organic C and Po and between Po and P associated with humic acids (HA-P). When applying Hedley's chemical fractionation procedure to these soils some significant P fractions or pools of high lability are obtained suggesting a potential plant availability of some forms of accumulated P, which can be manipulated by agricultural management. On the other hand, Pt in forest soils has been found in smaller quantities than in agricultural soils but Po also represents more than 50% of total P. The higher levels of labile P found in forest soils in comparison to agricultural ones together to higher C/Po ratios are suggesting a faster P cycling in forest ecosystems