From Surface to Subsoil: Why Soil Profile Examination is Essential in Arable Cropping Systems

Abstract

Soil serves as the primary medium for crop growth and productivity, with its characteristics largely determining the success of arable farming systems. While surface soil sampling provides useful insights into nutrient availability and fertility status, it offers a limited perspective on the overall potential of soils to sustain long-term crop production. Examining the entire soil profile, from surface to subsoil, is therefore indispensable in understanding the rooting environment, water dynamics, nutrient reserves, and constraints that may not be evident at the surface. Soil profile studies allow the identification of morphological features, horizon differentiation, and pedogenic processes that influence crop growth, nutrient cycling, and land suitability. Such knowledge is fundamental to land-use planning, precision agriculture, and the design of sustainable management strategies in arable crop systems. This review synthesizes current evidence on the necessity of soil profile examination, emphasizing its role in fertility assessment, water retention, land capability evaluation, and sustainable arable crop production. The discussion highlights not only the agronomic benefits but also the environmental and conservation implications of integrating soil profile characterization into agricultural practice. Future directions point toward the integration of traditional profile studies with digital tools such as remote sensing and machine learning for more effective soil management in tropical agricultural landscapes.