Why is it important to avoid oversaturating the soil with fertilizers?

Avoiding oversaturation of soil with fertilizers is crucial primarily to prevent nutrient runoff into nearby waterways. When fertilizers are applied excessively, they can leach into stormwater runoff, leading to a variety of environmental issues, such as eutrophication. This process causes nutrient pollution in aquatic ecosystems, which can result in algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water, leading to dead zones where aquatic life cannot thrive.

Proper application of fertilizers is necessary not only for the health of plants but also for protecting water quality. By regulating the amount of fertilizer applied, we can ensure that nutrients are effectively absorbed by plants, reducing the risk of them washing away during rainfall or irrigation events.

While enhancing soil structure, increasing plant root growth, and maintaining balanced soil pH are all important aspects of soil health and plant productivity, they do not directly address the critical environmental concern associated with nutrient runoff.