Does using fertiliser prevent soil degradation?

The answer

No. Fertiliser supplies nutrients but does not protect against erosion, compaction, salinity or loss of organic matter. It can even hide declining fertility by keeping yields up while the soil itself runs down, so a farm can look productive and still depend on constant inputs. Overuse can also acidify soil and pollute water. Fertiliser works best alongside practices that keep soil covered, structured and rich in organic matter, with applications guided by soil testing.