What effect do the nutrients in the soil have on the way in which the organic life interacts with each other? Thanks

Question: What effect do the nutrients in the soil have on the way in which the organic life interacts with each other? Thanks
- Keywords:
  interacts,
  life,
  nutrients,
  organic,
  soil
Asked by 08wooda to Eoin on 12 Mar 2011.
- Eoin Lettice answered on 12 Mar 2011:
  
  Hi, I really like this question!
  
  Soil nutrients (and the other chemical and physical properties of soil) do have a real effect on the types of interactions that go on in the soil. For example, there are special fungi called mycorrhizal fungi which form relationships with the roots of plants, increasing the amount of nutrients the plant can extract from the soil AND protecting the plant from some pests and diseases in the soil. So, its good for the plant to form these mycorrhizal relationships.
  The problem is, in most modern agriculture, loads of phosphorous is applied to the soil to encourage plant growth and the mycorrhizal fungi just don’t like lots of phosphorous!
  One way we can control disease in plants is to encourage the growth of these fungi – but that can only happen if we reduce the amount of phosphorous we use. So, it’s a bit of balancing act!
  Eoin

Question: What effect do the nutrients in the soil have on the way in which the organic life interacts with each other? Thanks