Title : Soil nutrients, food and human health
Abstract:
Soils are vital to human health because they support both quantity and quality of food and feed production that is essential for human consumption. Intensification of agriculture through advances in agricultural technology and increasing food demand for an ever growing population have put our soils under pressure, leading to nutrient depletion. This has also led to multi nutrients deficiencies (K, S, Fe and Zn) in soils worldwide which in turn have adverse effects on human health. Among the many roles of soils, nutrient storage and supply is one of the most important ones, which in turn supports the production of food. There is a close relationship among soil available nutrients, quality food production and human health.
The idea that soils are important to human health is widely accepted in the modern scientific community. Soils are recognized for their contribution in areas such as the supply of adequate quantities nutritious food products, medications and for their assistance in developing the human immune system. Negative health impact occur when foods are grown in soils that have nutrients deficiencies. There are a number of positive ways that soils enhance human health, from nutritious food production and nutrient supply to medications and enhancement of the immune system. If the soil is supply adequate amount of nutrients for food, the human health also benefits. Hence, the best deficient nutrients(K, S, Fe and Zn) management practices in soil will play an essential role in ensuring food security and healthy immune system of human in years to come. The future belongs to a nation who had nutritional food quality.
