Soil nutrient

imbalance

PHOR

UL

PO

PHU

DIU M

NI

ZIN C

Fe
IR O N

Zn

TRO GEN

OS

LY

BDEN

K
TA S S I U M

Mn

BO

RON

SE

LIC O N

Na

SO

Mo

G N E SI U

MO

Si

SI

PPER

Mg

CO

Cu

O RIN

HL

Incorrect land use and management

may result in an excess of nutrient
causing soil contamination and
contributing to water quality
deterioration and greenhouse gas
emissions. Conversely, a lack of
nutrients may lead to low soil fertility.

SO UR CE: STATU S OF T H E WO RLD S S OI L RE SO URC ES - MA IN RE PO RT

Cl

N G A NE

Ca
A LCI U M

IMPROVEMENTS IN NUTRIENT-USE
EFFICIENCY CAN LEAD TO SUBSTANTIAL
REDUCTIONS IN THE USE OF AGRICULTURAL INPUTS,
PROVIDING DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE ENVIRONMENT
AND INCREASING FOOD PRODUCTION

Increasing soil
organic matter 2016
can boost soil fertility
and balance the soil
nutrient system

E Europe and Eurasia

NA

North
America

NENA

Near East and

North Africa

Asia

SSA

sub-Saharan Africa

LAC

SP

SOIL THREATS
Soil nutrient imbalance
Condition

Very
poor

Poor

Fair

Good

Trend

Improving

Deteriorating

Variable

Stable

FAO, 2016 - I6469EN/1/11.16

Southwest
Pacic

Latin America
and the Caribbean