,Introduction to Soil Science
ICAR e-Course
For
B.Sc (Agriculture)
, Index
SSAC 121 - INTRODUCTION TO SOIL SCIENCE
SN Chapter Page No
1 Soil – Pedological and edaphological concepts 1-4
2 Origin of the earth – Earth’s crust – Composition 5-15
3 Rocks and minerals 16-36
4 Weathering 37-47
5 Soil formation factors and processes – Components of soils 48-61
6 Soil profile 62-64
7 Soil physical properties – Soil texture – Textural classes – Particle size analysis 65-72
8 Soil structure – Classification 73-81
9 Soil aggregates – significance – Soil consistency – Soil crusting – Bulk density and 82-89
particle density of soils & porosity - their significance and manipulation
10 Soil compaction – Soil Colour – Soil water 90-98
11 Retention and potentials – Soil moisture constants 99-106
12 Movement of soil water – Infiltration, percolation, permeability – Drainage – 107-113
Methods of determination of soil moisture
13 Thermal properties of soils – Soil temperature – Soil air – Gaseous exchange – 114-122
Influence of soil temperature and air on plant growth
14 Soil colloids – Properties, nature, types and significance 123-129
15 Layer silicate clays – their genesis and sources of charges 130-145
16 Adsorption of ions–Ion exchange–CEC& AEC – Factors influencing ion exchange - 146-155
Significance.
17 Soil organic matter – Composition – Decomposability 156-164
18 Humus – Fractionation of organic matter 165-168
19 Carbon cycle – C: N ratio. Soil biology – Biomass – Soil organisms – Their 169-189
beneficial and harmful roles.
, Introduction to Soil Science
01. Soil – Pedological and Edaphological concepts
Soil science is the study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the earth including soil
formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils; and
these properties in relation to the use and management of soils.
Sometimes terms which refer to branches of soil science, such as pedology (formation,
chemistry, morphology and classification of soil) and edaphology (influence of soil on organisms,
especially plants), are used as if synonymous with soil science. The diversity of names associated with
this discipline is related to the various associations concerned. Indeed, engineers, agronomists,
chemists, geologists, physical geographers, ecologists, biologists, microbiologists, sylviculturists,
sanitarians, archaeologists, and specialists in regional planning, all contribute to further knowledge of
soils and the advancement of the soil sciences.
Soil scientists have raised concerns about how to preserve soil and arable land in a world with a
growing population, possible future water crisis, increasing per capita food consumption, and land
degradation.
Soil occupies the pedosphere, one of Earth's spheres that the geosciences use to organize the
Earth conceptually. This is the conceptual perspective of pedology and edaphology, the two main
branches of soil science. Pedology is the study of soil in its natural setting. Edaphology is the study of soil
in relation to soil-dependent uses. Both branches apply a combination of soil physics, soil chemistry, and
soil biology. Due to the numerous interactions between the biosphere, atmosphere andhydrosphere
that are hosted within the pedosphere, more integrated, less soil-centric concepts are also valuable.
Many concepts essential to understanding soil come from individuals not identifiable strictly as soil
scientists. This highlights theinterdisciplinary nature of soil concepts.
Soil Science
“The science dealing with soil as a natural resource on the surface of the earth,
including Pedology (soil genesis, classification and mapping), physical, chemical, biological
and fertility properties of soil and these properties in relation to their management for crop
production.”
Soil Science has six well defined and developed disciplines
Soil fertility : Nutrient supplying properties of soil
1 www.AgriMoon.CoM
ICAR e-Course
For
B.Sc (Agriculture)
, Index
SSAC 121 - INTRODUCTION TO SOIL SCIENCE
SN Chapter Page No
1 Soil – Pedological and edaphological concepts 1-4
2 Origin of the earth – Earth’s crust – Composition 5-15
3 Rocks and minerals 16-36
4 Weathering 37-47
5 Soil formation factors and processes – Components of soils 48-61
6 Soil profile 62-64
7 Soil physical properties – Soil texture – Textural classes – Particle size analysis 65-72
8 Soil structure – Classification 73-81
9 Soil aggregates – significance – Soil consistency – Soil crusting – Bulk density and 82-89
particle density of soils & porosity - their significance and manipulation
10 Soil compaction – Soil Colour – Soil water 90-98
11 Retention and potentials – Soil moisture constants 99-106
12 Movement of soil water – Infiltration, percolation, permeability – Drainage – 107-113
Methods of determination of soil moisture
13 Thermal properties of soils – Soil temperature – Soil air – Gaseous exchange – 114-122
Influence of soil temperature and air on plant growth
14 Soil colloids – Properties, nature, types and significance 123-129
15 Layer silicate clays – their genesis and sources of charges 130-145
16 Adsorption of ions–Ion exchange–CEC& AEC – Factors influencing ion exchange - 146-155
Significance.
17 Soil organic matter – Composition – Decomposability 156-164
18 Humus – Fractionation of organic matter 165-168
19 Carbon cycle – C: N ratio. Soil biology – Biomass – Soil organisms – Their 169-189
beneficial and harmful roles.
, Introduction to Soil Science
01. Soil – Pedological and Edaphological concepts
Soil science is the study of soil as a natural resource on the surface of the earth including soil
formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils; and
these properties in relation to the use and management of soils.
Sometimes terms which refer to branches of soil science, such as pedology (formation,
chemistry, morphology and classification of soil) and edaphology (influence of soil on organisms,
especially plants), are used as if synonymous with soil science. The diversity of names associated with
this discipline is related to the various associations concerned. Indeed, engineers, agronomists,
chemists, geologists, physical geographers, ecologists, biologists, microbiologists, sylviculturists,
sanitarians, archaeologists, and specialists in regional planning, all contribute to further knowledge of
soils and the advancement of the soil sciences.
Soil scientists have raised concerns about how to preserve soil and arable land in a world with a
growing population, possible future water crisis, increasing per capita food consumption, and land
degradation.
Soil occupies the pedosphere, one of Earth's spheres that the geosciences use to organize the
Earth conceptually. This is the conceptual perspective of pedology and edaphology, the two main
branches of soil science. Pedology is the study of soil in its natural setting. Edaphology is the study of soil
in relation to soil-dependent uses. Both branches apply a combination of soil physics, soil chemistry, and
soil biology. Due to the numerous interactions between the biosphere, atmosphere andhydrosphere
that are hosted within the pedosphere, more integrated, less soil-centric concepts are also valuable.
Many concepts essential to understanding soil come from individuals not identifiable strictly as soil
scientists. This highlights theinterdisciplinary nature of soil concepts.
Soil Science
“The science dealing with soil as a natural resource on the surface of the earth,
including Pedology (soil genesis, classification and mapping), physical, chemical, biological
and fertility properties of soil and these properties in relation to their management for crop
production.”
Soil Science has six well defined and developed disciplines
Soil fertility : Nutrient supplying properties of soil
1 www.AgriMoon.CoM
