Soil fertility is determined by the soil’s biological, chemical, and physical properties. Properties such as structure, soil texture, and colour are visible to the eye. However, it is hard to see the chemical composition of soil. Therefore, there is need for soil diagnosis and that’s why soil sampling is critical. Soil tests are used to determine the soil’s nutrient level and pH content. Armed with this information, farmers can define the quantity of fertiliser and exact type that is needed for application to improve the soil on your farm. This is essential because fertile soils are necessary to grow healthy crops.
Knowing the exact nutrient found in your farm soil and the pH is the first step of any healthy crop production program. Crops are usually grown on a very wide variety of soil types and different fertilizer requirements, depending with the soil health and condition. Application of many nutrients can result to imbalance in soil and eventually affecting the environment and contamination water and the creatures beneath.