The organisms in the soil drive a range of activities including:

• Decomposition of organic residue with release of nutrients
• Formation of soil humus
• Improvement of soil physical properties
• Release of plant nutrient elements from insoluble inorganic  soil minerals
• Fixation of nitrogen
• Improved plant nutrition through mycorrhizal relationships
• Antagonistic action against plant pathogens

The Albretch system of crop nutrition has been around since the 1930’s and so cannot be called new.  The system which is being widely adopted around the world is based on Base Saturation Capacity (BS) of the soil as a percentage of the soil’s Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). These bases are positively charged and include Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Hydrogen, Sodium, and others.

The ideal base saturation of a soil for the major elements is

A key understanding from the Albretch system is that the most limiting nutrient will limit yield until it is supplied.  Building and restoring worn slats (depleted elements) so the full capacity of the soil may be realized is a key to the system.

An important aspect of soil fertility is balancing the elements. Not only is each individual element necessary but a balance of all nutrients is necessary for optimum soil performance.  Interactions between elements is both positive (stimulation) and negative (antagonistic) and is best illustrated by the Mulders Chart below.