How is soil fertility defined?

Soil fertility is defined as the ability of soil to provide essential nutrients to plants. This definition emphasizes the crucial role of soil in supporting plant growth, which fundamentally depends on the availability and accessibility of nutrients. Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, among others, are vital for various physiological functions in plants, including growth, reproduction, and resilience to pests and diseases.

Fertile soil not only has a suitable structure and pH but also contains organic matter and microbial life that enhance nutrient availability and uptake by plants. Therefore, when assessing soil fertility, it is important to consider the presence of these nutrients and how well the soil can supply them to plants effectively.

Other concepts such as water retention, carbon storage, and ecosystem support are important for different aspects of soil health and environmental quality but do not specifically define fertility. While maintaining adequate moisture and carbon levels contributes to soil health, and supporting ecosystems is certainly a function of soil, they do not directly relate to nutrient provision in the same way that soil fertility does.