Knowra Soil fertility Soil fertility Soil fertility is the capacity of soil to supply essential nutrients and suitable physical and chemical conditions for plant growth and crop production.
Soil nutrient : A chemical element or compound that plants require for growth and development. Fertility depends on whether essential nutrients are present in forms plants can absorb.
Nutrient cycle : The movement and transformation of chemical elements through organisms and the environment. Soil fertility reflects the nutrient inputs, transformations, and losses within these cycles.
Soil testing : The analysis of soil samples to estimate nutrient levels and other properties relevant to plant growth. Test results guide amendments and fertilizer rates for particular soils and crops.
Crop yield : The quantity of harvested crop produced per unit of land or other production input. Insufficient nutrient supply limits crop growth and can reduce harvests.
Soil productivity : The capacity of soil to produce crops under a specified system of management and environmental conditions. Productivity includes fertility but also depends on climate, pests, water, and management.
Soil pH : A measure of soil acidity or alkalinity based on hydrogen-ion activity. Soil pH changes the availability of many nutrients and can limit plant growth.
Nitrogen cycle : The transformations and movement of nitrogen among the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms. Nitrogen fixation, mineralization, and losses determine how much soil nitrogen crops can access.
Fertilizer : A natural or manufactured material added to soil or plants to supply nutrients. Fertilizers replenish nutrients when soil supply cannot meet crop demand.
Nutrient-use efficiency : The proportion of supplied or available nutrients that plants acquire or convert into harvested product. Efficient nutrient use links soil supply to crop output while limiting excess application.
Soil health : The capacity of soil to function as a living system that sustains plants, animals, and people. Soil health is broader than nutrient supply and includes biological and ecosystem functions.
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