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Why are crops grown in degraded soil often less nutritious?

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A row of cattle with brown and black coats eat feed from a long trough in a South African feedlot, separated by wooden fencing. — Feed Feedlot cattle eating grain in an intensive animal farm in South Africa.

Crops grown in degraded soil are often less nutritious because the soil lacks the necessary balance and availability of essential nutrients required for optimal plant development.12

Healthy soil acts as a dynamic medium that provides plants with physical support, water, and the chemical elements—such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur—needed for growth. These nutrients are typically cycled through the environment by soil organisms, which break down organic matter into forms that plants can absorb.345

When soil becomes degraded due to factors like aggressive tilling, erosion, or the accumulation of salts from irrigation, this natural nutrient cycle is disrupted. If the soil cannot supply these vital elements in adequate amounts, the plants may suffer from deficiencies, leading to stunted growth and a reduced ability to synthesize the compounds that contribute to their nutritional value. Preserving soil health through sustainable practices, such as the use of cover crops and no-till agriculture, is essential to maintaining the quality of our food supply.136