An experiment was conducted to study the effect of top dressing application of P fertilizer on the growth and P absorption rate of red pepper in different cropping systems of the upland. P fertilizer was applied with no treatment (CON), basal dressing application (BDA), 2 times of top dressing applications (2-TDA), and 3 times of top dressing applications (3-TDA), and red peppers were grown for 110 days. Dry matter yield of red pepper significantly increased at the 2-TDA and 3-TDA, but decreased at the CON and BDA due probably to the decrease or increase in available P. In particular, at 3-TDA there was an increase in growth and P absorption rate of red pepper. The fruit dry matter weight of red pepper receiving 3-TDA was 961.7 kg 10a-l, which was significantly higher than those receiving CON and BDA in no-rain house. Therefore, considering the dual goal of optimum crop growth and maximum P distribution instead of immobilization with soil, this study suggests that a testing of a site-specific proper application method of P including top dressing applications is prerequisite to achieving optimum agricultural productivity while minimizing nutrition quality misuse.