Course

Theory

Soil: Pedological and edaphalogical concepts. Rocks and minerals, weathering, Silicate clays: constitution and properties, sources of charge, ion exchange, cation and anion exchange capacity and base saturation (after buffering capacity), Soil formation, Soil organic matter, Pedogenic processes, Soil colloids: inorganic and organic, Properties of soil colloids and Ion exchange in soils, Soil profile, soil texture, soil structure. Bulk density and particle density, soil consistency, soil temperature, soil air, soil water. Soil reaction and buffering capacity. Soil taxonomy, keys to soil orders. Soils of India.

Practical

Study of general properties of minerals, study of minerals-silicate and non-silicate minerals, study of rocks-igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks; study of a soil profile, collection and processing of soil for analysis, study of soil texture-feel method, mechanical analysis, determination of particle density and soil porosity, determination of soil colour, study of soil structure, and aggregate analysis, determination of soil moisture, determination of soil moisture constants- field capacity; water holding capacity. Study of infiltration rate of soil, determination of pH and Electrical conductivity of soil.

Objectives

To impart knowledge on soil genesis and basic soil properties with respect to plant growth

Course Outcome:

Any student who has undergone the course shall be able to:

Suggested Readings

1. Das Dilip Kumar. 2022. Introductory Soil Science. Kalyani Publishers.

2. Harry O Buckman and Nyle C. 1996. The Nature and Properties of Soils. (11^th Edn.). Prentice Hall.

3. Singh S S. 2016. Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management. (3^rd Edn.). Kalyani Publishers.

4. Tisdale Samual L, Nelson Werner L and Beaton James D. 2016. Soil Fertility and Fertilizers. (8^th Edn.). Pearson Education