Fertilizer placement was studied in an extensive series of experiments on sweet corn (Zea maysL.), snapbeans (Phaseolus vulgarisL.), tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentumMill) and cabbage (Brassica oleraceaL.,Capitatagroup), each at 4–9 production sites in Pennsylvania during 1981–3. Treatments were 1 increment banded or broadcast, 2 increments banded, broadcast, banded/ broadcast or banded/sidedressed, 4 increments broadcast, and a check. Fertilizer increments applied were NP, each at 28 kg/ha (sweet corn and snapbeans) or NPK, each at 56 kg/ha (transplants of tomato and cabbage) as urea, triple superphosphate and muriate of potash. Banding involved a single band 5 cm to the side of seed and 5 cm deep (sweet corn and snapbeans) or double bands 10 cm to each side of plants and 10 cm deep (tomatoes and cabbage). Yields were similar when single increments were banded or broadcast except with cabbage where banded yielded higher. With double increments, banding or combinations involving banding yielded higher than double and at least equal to quadruple increments broadcast. The most efficient treatments were double increments banded for sweet corn, banded/broadcast for tomatoes and banded/sidedressed for snapbeans and cabbage. Leaf N and K were variable with banding and broadcasting. Leaf P was enhanced by banding double increments when compared to broadcasting except with sweet corn. Leaf Ca and Mg were increased by banding over broadcasting with sweet corn and snapbeans. Banding resulted in consistently higher leaf Mn with all crops.