**6. Conclusions**

This paper shows that the specific numerical properties of compositional data require log ra‐ tio transformations before conducting statistical analyses of soil and plant compositional da‐ ta. Compared to raw concentration data, the orthonormal balances can be interpreted consistently and without numerical bias as isometric log ratio coordinates. The *ilr* approach can provide unbiased indices of nutrient balance in soils and plant tissues, biological stabili‐ ty of organic residues and soil quality. Well supported by techniques developed by compo‐ sitional data analysts, the balance paradigm and the elaboration of its SBP schemes prompt that many concepts inherited from the past centuries be debated and revisited in soil fertility and plant nutrition.
