Gardening: Monitoring soil health

In the colorimetry-based rapid test for nitrogen, the increasing intensity of pink colouration indicates higher levels of soil nitrogen. Photos: Melissa Lok Mei Teng

Fertilisers play a crucial role in plant health and are the primary source of essential nutrients for plant growth. However, its over- or underapplication can have detrimental effects.

Excessive fertiliser use can lead to nutrient losses, potentially harming the environment, whereas insufficient fertilisation can result in poor plant growth.