Soil Health: Exploring Components, Indicators and Sustainable Management Strategies for Ensured Food and Nutritional Security

Abstract

Soil and water are the two critical natural resource components that support healthy agricultural systems. In a period marked by a growing global population, the link between soil health and food security becomes crucial for sustainable development and building resilient agricultural systems. Soil, a vital natural resource, is pivotal in supporting plant growth by supplying essential nutrients and offering mechanical support. It encompasses the physical, chemical, and biological attributes that collectively dictate the effective and efficient functioning of the soil. Within agroecosystems, soil undergoes manipulation through processes like input addition, nutrient extraction, alterations in water balance, and microbial activity, influencing various properties. However, in recent decades, severe deterioration in soil health has been reported across global agricultural production systems. The adoption of high-input responsive high-yielding crop varieties coupled with subsidized chemical inputs to meet growing global food security challenges has resulted in the misuse and abuse of these inputs thereby damaging physical, chemical, and biological soil health. As per the surveys conducted across India, most of the soils are reported to be deficient in essential micronutrients. Recognizing the global implications of soil health on food security underscores the necessity for international collaboration, informed policies, research, and technology investments. This articlecovers the components, indicators, and sustainable soil health management strategies. The objective is to enhance soil health, ultimately contributing to sustainable global food security by ensuring the productivity and resilience of agricultural systems. The comprehensive exploration of these aspects underscores the need for a holistic approach to address the challenges associated with soil health on a global scale.