ABSTRACT
Soil fertility and plant nutrition are two closely related subjects that emphasize the forms and availability of nutrients in soils, their movement to and their uptake by roots, and the utilization of nutrients within plants. About 1% of the available nutrients in the soil are considered to be taken up by roots because of root interception. Soil productivity encompasses soil fertility plus all the other factors affecting plant growth, including soil management practices. Soil productivity is the capacity of a soil to produce a certain yield of agronomic crops, or other plants, with optimum management. Nutrients are absorbed as solutes from the soil solution at root surfaces. A discussion of root interception of nutrients and the processes that move nutrients to root surfaces in position for absorption is important. Soil productivity is the capacity of a soil to produce a certain yield of agronomic crops, or other plants, with optimum management.
