What indicators might suggest a nutrient imbalance in soil?

The presence of poor crop performance and visible nutrient deficiencies is a strong indicator of nutrient imbalance in soil. When crops are not performing well, it can signify that they are not receiving the nutrients they require for optimal growth. Visible nutrient deficiencies—such as yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or poor flowering—show that specific nutrients are lacking or not being properly utilized by the plants. This can result from multiple factors such as insufficient nutrient availability, poor soil structure, or imbalanced pH levels that prevent nutrient uptake.

Other options present indicators that do not necessarily signify nutrient imbalance. For example, abundant crop yield paired with good soil moisture retention suggests a healthy environment for plant growth, which would indicate balanced nutrition rather than an imbalance. Uniform soil test results may suggest consistency in nutrient levels across the soil, which is generally a positive situation rather than a sign of imbalance. Increased soil pH levels can have a complex relationship with nutrient availability but is not a direct indicator of imbalance by itself, as pH is just one of many factors affecting nutrient availability.

Therefore, the correlation of poor crop performance alongside visible deficiencies is the clearest sign pointing to nutrient imbalance in the soil.