What is the meaning of soil fertility?

Soil fertility is the ability of a soil to sustain

plant growth, by providing essential plant
nutrients and favorable chemical, physical,
and biological characteristics as a habitat for
plant growth.
Why is soil fertility
important?
Soil fertility is one of the most
important soil characteristics for
crop growth. Crops require nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium and other
nutrients at the right levels to grow
properly and yield well. Fertile soils
retain moderate to high levels of the
nutrients needed for plant growth and
good yield.
What is an example of soil
fertility?
Fertile soil contains all of the major
nutrients required for basic plant
nutrition (For example, nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium), as
well as other nutrients required in
smaller amounts (For example,
calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron,
zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum,
nickel).
Soil degradation is the physical,
chemical and biological decline in soil
quality. It can be the loss of organic
matter, decline in soil fertility, and
structural condition, erosion, adverse
changes in salinity, acidity or alkalinity,
and the effects of toxic chemicals,
pollutants or excessive flooding.
How does soil erosion
cause soil degradation?
Soil erosion decreases
soil fertility, which can
negatively affect crop
yields. It also sends soil-
laden water downstream,
which can create heavy
layers of sediment that
prevent streams and
rivers from flowing
smoothly and can
eventually lead to
flooding. Once soil
erosion occurs, it is more
likely to happen again.