Following are important characteristics of fertile soil: It contains just about right amount of moisture to supply essential nutrients to the plants growing on it. It has sufficient depth to allow the plants to strike roots deep enough for their requirement. It is rich in terms of nutrients.

Soil is made up of solid, liquid and gas components: • the solid part consists of mineral particles and organic matter • the liquid part is water and nutrients • the gas part is air. The solid components are minerals derived originally from weathering rock and organic materials derived from plants and micro- organisms.

Healthy, high-quality soil has

• Good soil tilth.
• Sufficient depth.
• Sufficient, but not excessive, nutrient supply.
• Small population of plant pathogens and insect pests.
• Good soil drainage.
• Large population of beneficial organisms.
• Low weed pressure.
• No chemicals or toxins that may harm the crop.

• The level of soil organic matter is maintained. Functionality maintained (substrate, role in soil structure, ground cover)
• Soil fertility is optimised.
• Optimised water entry, storage and supply.
• Enhanced soil biological function.
• Supports productive land uses.
• Enhances environmental and community health and well-being.

Fertile soil has the following characteristics: It is rich in nutrients necessary for basic plant nourishment. This includes nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It consists of adequate minerals such as boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, sulphur and zinc.

There are many crops, such as peas and beans, that’ll fix nitrogen and add fertility. Others, like buckwheat and oats, can add a lot of organic matter to feed the soil. Sometimes vegetables also make for great soil enrichers.