Soil science

Soil science is a branch of science which studies about the soil like a natural resource on the earth’s surface as well as soil classification, mapping, soil formation; chemical, biological, fertility and physical properties of the  soils and these properties connected to the management  and use of soils. At times terms that refer to branches of soil science, like edaphology (influence of the soil on organisms, particularly plants) and pedology (chemistry, formation, classification and morphology of soil), are utilized as if synonymous with soil science. The variety of names related with this discipline is connected to the several associations concerned. In fact, agronomists, engineers, chemists, geographers, geologists, biologists, microbiologists, ecologists, sylviculturists, archaeologists, sanitarians, and specialists in the regional planning, all contribute to more knowledge of the soils and the development of the soil sciences.

Branches of Soil Sceince:

Soil Physics is that branch of soil science which deals with the mechanical behaviour of the soil mass, i.e. the physical proper­ties of soils as well as the measurement and control of physical processes that take place in and through the soil.

Soil Chemistry deals with the chemical composition and properties of soil and describes the chemical processes taking place in the soil.

Soil Biology deals with soil ecology—the organisms and their role in biological transformation in the soil.

Soil Mineralogy deals with the minerals (primary rock minerals and secondary minerals) present in soil and their contribution to the chemistry, physics, biology and fertility of soil and their relation to the genesis of soil.

Soil Fertility studies about the ability of soil to provide nutrients for the plant growth under favorable environ­mental conditions such as temperature, physical conditions of soil and light.

Soil Genesis and Classification (Pedology) deals with weathering of rocks and minerals, factors and pro­cesses of soil formation, and classification of soils in a recognized system.

Soil Survey is the systematic examination of soils in the field and laboratories, their description and classification, the mapping of kinds of an area, and also the interpretation of soils according to adaptability to various crops and their productivity under different management systems.

Soil Technology is an applied science and deals with the principles and practices of soil erosion and conservation, and management of problem soils, viz. saline, sodic (alkali), acid, waterlogged and other degraded soils.

Questionnaire:

• What is soil science?
• What are the branches of soil science? Explain.