Fundamentals of Soil Science 3(2+1)
Content
Theory - Soil as a natural body,
- Pedological and edaphological concepts of soil;
- Soil genesis: soil forming rocks and minerals; weathering, processes and factors of soil formation;
- Soil Profile, components of soil;
- Soil physical properties: soil-texture, structure, density and porosity, soil colour, consistency and plasticity;
- Elementary knowledge of soil taxonomy classification and soils of India;
- Soil water retention, movement and availability;
- Soil air, composition, gaseous exchange, problem and plant
- Soil temperature; source, amount and flow of heat in soil; effect on plant growth,
- Soil reaction-pH, soil acidity and alkalinity, buffering, effect of pH on nutrient availability;
- Soil colloids - inorganic and organic; silicate clays: constitution and properties; sources of charge;
- Ion exchange, cation exchange capacity, base saturation;
- Soil organic matter: composition, properties and its influence on soil properties; humic substances - nature and properties;
- Soil organisms: macro and micro organisms, their beneficial and harmful effects;
- Soil pollution - behaviour of pesticides and inorganic contaminants, prevention and mitigation of soil pollution.
Practical
- Study of soil profile in field.
- Study of soil sampling tools,
- Collection of representative soil sample, its processing and storage.
- Study of soil forming rocks and minerals.
- Determination of soil density, moisture content and porosity.
- Determination of soil texture by feel and Bouyoucos Methods.
- Studies of capillary rise phenomenon of water in soil column and water movement in soil.
- Determination of soil pH and electrical conductivity.
- Determination of cation exchange capacity of soil. Study of soil map.
- Determination of soil colour.
- Demonstration of heat transfer in soil.
- Estimation of organic matter content of soil.
