Which factor can significantly affect soil nutrient levels and availability?

Soil pH is a crucial factor influencing soil nutrient levels and availability because it directly affects the chemical forms of nutrients present in the soil and their accessibility to plants. Many essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, are more soluble and bioavailable to plants at certain pH levels.

For instance, in acidic soils (low pH), certain nutrients may become less available due to increased solubility of toxic elements like aluminum, while others may become more soluble but still not accessible. Conversely, in alkaline soils (high pH), nutrients such as iron and manganese can become less available, leading to deficiencies. Therefore, maintaining an optimal soil pH is essential for maximizing nutrient availability and ensuring healthy plant growth.

While air temperature, crop rotation, and water content all influence soil health and plant growth, they do not have as direct an effect on the chemical availability of nutrients as soil pH does.