What is the term for the process of applying fertilizers or amendments to soil?

The process of applying fertilizers or amendments to soil is best referred to as field application. This term specifically describes the act of introducing various substances aimed at improving soil fertility and providing essential nutrients to crops. The goal of field application is to enhance agricultural productivity by optimizing the growth conditions for plants.

Field application can include a variety of techniques such as broadcasting, injection, or side-dressing fertilizers directly into the soil, ensuring that nutrients are available to the plants when they need them most. This practice is critical for maximizing crop yields and ensuring that soil has the required nutrients to support plant growth.

Nutrient cycling, on the other hand, refers to the natural process of nutrients being absorbed by plants, returned to the soil through decomposition, and ultimately redeployed back into the ecosystem, which is distinct from the direct application of fertilizers. Soil treatment implies a broader range of activities that may include improvement of soil structure or health rather than just the addition of nutrients. Crop rotation is a practice used to improve soil health and prevent pest buildup by alternating the types of crops grown in a particular area, but it does not specifically relate to the application of fertilizers or amendments.