Soil the foundation

Promote
plant growth Involved in carbohydrate
metabolism and translocation
of starches

of nutrition
Improves Promote
winter hardiness reproduction fao.org/soils-2015

Involved in Aid translocation

ation
Soil degrad loss
photosynthesis of photosynthesis
Plays a key role in brain
Role of 18
from leaves to
leads to the o and
fruiting organs and muscle function

of soil micr ents

Contributes to perception of taste
Acts as an
O2 carrier nutrients
necessary for macronutri
Needed for immune system health

plant growth Key component of protein

r soils are unable
o
Nutrient-pohealthy food
Fruit formation
and human Essential for muscle
to produce necessary
Increases Quickens maturity
and nerve activity
disease resistance health
with all the r a healthy person
Fruit quality Important in immune system

nutrients fo
Reduces plant respiration health, blood clotting
Fruit and pressure regulation
flavour

io n people
Promotes root formation

l
A component of proteins,
and growth Seed DNA, RNA and blood
Over 2 bil
icronutrient
formation Promotes digestive process
Increases water-use
m
suffer fromiciencies
efficiency Seed quality Maintains acid-base balance Cl

Stimulates
microbial activity
Cl
Enhances maturity
of small grains
Needed for proper fluid balance def
Essential to fetal development and
Promote Aids in enzyme functionality functioning of reproductive system
nodule formation and plant use of Fe and P
on legumes Key component of enzymes
Responsible for enzyme activity
Helps deliver oxygen Sustainable
Helps enzyme activity and increases to the tissues
soil management
the availability of P and Ca
C Important for
for healthy soils,
O CA
RBON
healthy bones
A component of
healthy food
and healthy people
OX
YG E N
H enzymes, DNA, RNA,
proteins and promotes Reduce
Cl H
YD
ROG EN
immune system health
A component of
erosion
CH
LO RI N E enzymes and involved in

P Si Fe metabolism
Ensure
Ca SILI
CO N
Mg crop
K
P

rotation
HO
SPH ORU
S

M
CA AG M
LCI U M N E SI U

PO
TA S S I U M
Mo Na
B OL
S
M
M

YB DENU

N BORON
Fe
SO
DIU M
SU
LPH UR
Keep soil
surface
NI Increase soil
covered
TRO GEN

©FAO 2015 - BC275e/1/12.15

Soil macronutrients Zn organic matter
IR O N

Cu Mn
content
Minimize
ZIN C
CO
PPER

tillage
M

Soil micronutrients
AN S
E

GANE

With the financial support

of the Russian Federation
Healthy soils for a healthy life