Soil Quality and Soil Health: A Review

Abstract

Soil health and soil quality are defined as the capacity of soil to function as a vital living system within land use boundaries. This function which sustains biological productivity of soil also maintains the quality of surrounding environment and human health. Thus the two terms are used interchangeably although it is important to distinguish that, soil quality is related to soil function, whereas soil health presents the soil as a finite non-renewable and dynamic living resource. In this review, we deal with soil health concept which includes interactions between plant inputs and soil in creating a healthy environment. Adverse effects on soil health and soil quality arise from nutrient imbalance in soil, excessive fertilization, soil pollution and soil loss processes that are increasingly becoming common in developing countries. This review will examine the development of soil health approaches as well as the content of soil health and soil quality information and its application to reduce negative impacts on agricultural productivity and long term sustainability.