World Soil Day

   The importance of global soil quality is typically overlooked, but it plays a critical role in supporting life on our planet in several ways. First and foremost, soil provides essential nutrients to trees, crops, flowers, and all other plants which could not exist without it. For perspective, soil-based plants serve as the foundation of almost all human food systems, with 95% of our food coming from soils . It is also home to a large, diversified community of creatures that enhance the soil’s structure, recycle vital nutrients , and aid in the management of weeds, plant pests, and diseases . Another crucial factor is that good soil reduces climate change by preserving or even increasing soil organic carbon storage . Furthermore, it filters and cleans our water and helps prevent natural hazards such as flooding.

 Soil nutrients are essential for high agricultural productivity, which can only be obtained when all nutrients are in the optimal supply range. Plant available phosphorus can be used as an indicator of chemical soil nutrients as it is a stable element, and its mobility in the soil is limited. When measuring soil nutrients , laboratories may provide a complete analysis containing values for nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). Plant available phosphorus was chosen given the nature of its mobility, but N and K can also be consid

  Soil pH (acidity and alkalinity) gives an important indication of plant nutrient availability, and different crops thrive at different pH values. Soil pHmay change in response to management activities such as liming, fertilizeraddition, irrigation that leads to salt accumulation, and some forms of soil pollution. Soil pH may be measured in the field with simple indicators, or with standard laboratory measurements. It is relatively cheap, quick, and easy to determine. Amending a low (acidic) pH can lead to greatly improved crop yields.

  The concepts of sufficiency and utilization efficiency apply especially to nutrient dynamics in the soil- water-nutrients-plant root continuum . Plant nutrition should be based on crop needs, local soil characteristics and conditions, and weather patterns. Plant nutrition can be enhanced through nutrient recycling or additions including mineral (chemical) fertilizers, organic fertilizers and other soil amendments including primary sources (e.g. rock phosphate) and secondary sources (e.g. phosphorus from sewage sludge). It is crucial to select an appropriate plant nutrient management system and approach alongside assessing the suitability of the land for a given land use. The benefits of sufficient and balanced nutrient supply for plant needs are well-established and include: production of food, feed, fibre, timber, and fuel at levels at, or close to, the optimum potential in the specific geographical context; reduced need for pest control measures, external application of organ...