What does the term 'soil fertility' refer to?

Soil fertility specifically refers to the capacity of soil to provide essential nutrients to plants, which is crucial for their growth and overall health. This encompasses not just the presence of macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but also micronutrients that plants require in smaller amounts. Fertile soil supports vigorous plant growth by enabling plants to obtain the nutrients they need efficiently.

While factors like soil texture and composition, water retention, and pH level are important aspects of soil management, they are related to how effectively soil can deliver those nutrients rather than defining soil fertility itself. For instance, a soil might have a good structure or be proficient at holding moisture, but if it lacks essential nutrients, it won't be fertile. Similarly, while pH levels can influence nutrient availability, they don't encompass the complete picture of soil fertility, which is fundamentally about nutrient provision for plants.