Some plants need certain nutrients in large amounts, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are called macronutrients. These are the chemical components of soil. Fertile soils are able to provide the nutrients required for plant growth. Remember, soil fertility is only one component of soil quality. Resilience to degradation and unfavorable conditions.No chemicals or toxins that may harm the crop. ![]() Large population of beneficial organisms.Small population of plant pathogens and insect pests.Sufficient, but not excessive, nutrient supply.Soil health and soil quality are terms used interchangeably to describe soils that are not only fertile but also possess adequate physical and biological properties to "sustain productivity, maintain environmental quality and promote plant and animal health" (Doron 1994).Īccording to the (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service, "Soil quality is how well soil does what we want it to do." In order to grow our crops, we want the soil to hold water and nutrients like a sponge where they are readily available for plant roots to take them up, suppress pests and weeds that may attack our plants, sequester carbon from the atmosphere, and clean the water that flows through it into rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Diverse and active biological communities help soil resist physical degradation and cycle nutrients at rates to meet plant needs. ![]() Important physical characteristics of soil-like structures and aggregation allow water and air to infiltrate, roots to explore, and biota to thrive. Fertile soil provides essential nutrients to plants. Soil health is the foundation of productive farming practices.
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