What condition leads to plant stunting?

Soil infertility is a critical factor that can lead to plant stunting because it directly affects the availability of essential nutrients required for healthy plant growth. When the soil lacks adequate nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, plants may fail to develop properly, resulting in reduced growth and stunted stature.

In fertile soils, plants can access the nutrients they need to grow robustly and efficiently. However, when the soil is deficient in these essential elements, the plant's energy is diverted towards survival rather than growth, leading to shorter and underdeveloped plants. This condition also affects the plant's ability to photosynthesize effectively, further compounding the stunting issue.

While excess moisture, herbicide exposure, and infectious bacteria can also have negative impacts on plant growth, the root cause of stunting in this context is more closely associated with the lack of nutrients available in the soil, making soil infertility the primary factor leading to stunted growth in plants.