“Introduction to Soil Science” is a fundamental course covering soil formation, pedology, soil physics, and soil mineralogy. Key areas include earth’s crust composition, weathering processes, soil profile morphology, soil texture and structure, compaction, soil water retention and movement, thermal properties, soil aeration, silicate clays, cation exchange capacity, and organic matter.
Topics Covered
- Soil – Pedological and Edaphological Concepts and Definitions
- Origin of the Earth – Earth’s Crust and Composition
- Rocks and Minerals – Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic Rocks and Primary/Secondary Minerals
- Weathering of Rocks and Minerals – Physical, Chemical, and Biological Weathering
- Soil Formation Factors (Passive and Active Factors) and Pedogenic Processes
- Soil Profile – Horizon Differentiation (O, A, E, B, C, R) and Master Horizons
- Soil Physical Properties – Soil Texture, Mechanical Analysis, and Textural Classes
- Soil Structure – Classification, Genesis, and Types of Soil Structure
- Soil Aggregates, Aggregate Stability, Consistency, and Soil Crusting
- Soil Compaction, Bulk Density, Particle Density, and Soil Porosity
- Soil Water – Forces of Retention, Soil Moisture Constants (Field Capacity, Wilting Point, Hygroscopic Coefficient)
- Movement of Soil Water – Infiltration, Percolation, Hydraulic Conductivity, and Drainage
- Thermal Properties of Soil – Soil Temperature, Heat Transfer, and Influence on Plant Growth
- Soil Air – Composition, Gaseous Exchange, and Aeration Dynamics
- Soil Colloids – General Properties, Nature, and Significance in Nutrient Retention
- Layer Silicate Clays – Genesis, Crystal Structure, 1:1 and 2:1 Clays (Kaolinite, Montmorillonite, Illite)
- Ion Adsorption and Ion Exchange – Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and Anion Exchange Capacity (AEC)
- Soil Organic Matter – Sources, Composition, Decomposition, and Mineralization
- Humus – Fractionation (Fulvic Acid, Humic Acid, Humin) and Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C:N) Ratio
- Soil Biology – Soil Biomass, Macro-organisms, and Microbial Population Dynamics
File Details
| Title | Introduction to Soil Science |
| File Name | SSAC121 – Introduction to Soil Science.pdf |
| File Type | PDF Document (.pdf) |
| File Size | 7.47 MB |
| Total Pages | 189 Pages |