What are The Types of Soil Fertility

Healthy soil is the heart of a good harvest. If your soil is rich and fertile, your crops grow better, resist pests, and give you more yield. But if the soil is weak, even the best seeds and farming methods won’t give great results. In this guide, we’ll explain the main types of soil fertility, why they matter, and simple ways you can improve them for long-term, natural productivity whether you grow wheat in Punjab, rice in Odisha, or vegetables in Maharashtra.

Main Types of Soil Fertility:

1. Natural Fertility 

2. Acquired Fertility 

3. Biological Fertility 

 

What Is Soil Fertility?

Soil fertility is the soil’s ability to provide essential nutrients to crops in the right amounts and at the right time. Fertile soil supports strong plant growth, improves resistance to pests and diseases, and leads to better yields.

Well-fertile soil:

• Has good nutrient availability
• Retains moisture efficiently
• Supports microbial life
• Maintains proper pH levels
• Allows easy root penetration

 

The Three Main Types of Soil Fertility 

1. Natural Fertility (Inherent Fertility)

This is the original fertility of the soil without any human intervention. It's determined by:

• The soil's natural texture (sand, silt, clay)
• Organic matter content
• Mineral composition from parent rock
• Climate and topography

 

2. Acquired Fertility

Acquired fertility refers to improvements made by human activity, such as:

• Adding farmyard manure or compost
• Using biofertilizers and green manures
• Applying chemical fertilizers (in balanced quantities)
• Practicing crop rotation and intercropping

Example: In Tamil Nadu, red soils with low fertility are improved using green manure crops and vermicompost.

Farmer Tip: Always conduct a soil test before applying fertilizers. Overuse can harm the soil and waste your money.

3. Biological Fertility

Biological fertility comes from soil organisms that help improve nutrient availability and soil structure. These include:

• Earthworms
• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Rhizobium
• Mycorrhizal fungi
• Decomposers like actinomycetes

These organisms break down organic matter, improve aeration, and make nutrients available to plants.

How to Identify Soil Fertility in Your Land

You can check soil fertility in two simple ways:

1. Do a Soil Test

• Test every 2–3 years
• Check pH, nutrient levels (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium), and micronutrients
• Many government agriculture centers offer free or low-cost testing

2. Look for Signs in Your Crops

• Yellow leaves → lack of nitrogen
• Poor flowering → lack of phosphorus
• Curling leaves → potassium or micronutrient shortage
• Slow growth → low fertility or poor drainage

 

How to Improve Each Type of Fertility

 

Type of Fertility	How to Improve It
Natural Fertility	Reduce tillage, avoid residue burning, maintain cover crops
Acquired Fertility	Use organic compost, balanced NPK fertilizers, crop rotation
Biological Fertility	Add jeevamrut, compost, biofertilizers; reduce pesticide use

 

Good farming begins with healthy, fertile soil. Understanding the types of soil fertility which is natural, acquired or biological that can help you make smarter decisions for long-term yield and sustainability. Whether you're practicing organic, traditional, or integrated farming, your soil's fertility is your most valuable asset.

Start with a soil test, add organic matter, and farm responsibly. With the right approach, your land can feed your family and your future.