Fundamentals of Soil Science
Course Overview
Official detailed syllabus from the ICAR Sixth Deans’ Committee curriculum.
Course Objectives
To make the students aware about the importance of soil in relation to soil formation, texture, structure, water, temperature, aeration, nutrient availability, and soil microbiology, soil survey
Theory Syllabus
Composition of earth’s crust, soil as a natural body – major components. Eluviation, Illuviation formation of various soils. Physical parameters; texture – definition, methods of textural analysis, stock’s law, assumption, limitations, textural classes, use of textural triangle; absolute specific gravity/ particle density, definition, apparent specific gravity/bulk density – factors influencing, field bulk density. Relation between BD (bulk density), AD – practical problems. Pore space – definition, factors affecting capillary and non-capillary porosity, soil colour – definition, its significance, colour variable, value hue and chroma. Munsell colour chart, factors influencing, parent material, soil moisture, organic matter, soil structure, definition, classification, clay prism like structure, factors influencing genesis of soil structure, soil consistency, plasticity, Atterberg’s constants. Soil air, air capacity, composition, factors influencing, amount of air space, soil air renewal, soil temperature, sources and distribution of heat, factors influencing, measurement, chemical properties, soil colloids, organic, humus, inorganic, secondary silicate, clay, hydrous oxides. Ion exchange, cation-anion importance, soil water, forms, hygroscopic, capillary and gravitational, soil moisture constants, hygroscopic coefficient, wilting point, field capacity, moisture equivalent, maximum water holding capacity, energy concepts, PF scale, measurement, gravimetric – electric and tensiometer methods – pressure plate and pressure membrane apparatus–Neutronprobe–soilwatermovement–classification– aerialphotography– satellite of soil features – their interpretation; soil orders; land capability classification; soil of different eco-systems and their properties, Rock and Minerals classification, Pedogenic process. Objectives of soil science research institute in India (NBSS and LUP, ISSS, LTFE and NSSTL). Management of Soil Crusting, Soil Compaction and Soil Compression. Soil Biology benefits and harmful effects. Methods and objective of soil survey, Remote sensing application in soil and plant Studies, Soil degradation.
Practical Syllabus
Collection and preparation of soil samples as per protocols for horticultural crops, estimation of moisture, EC, pH and bulk density. Textural analysis of soil by Robinson’s pipette method. Description of soil profile in the field. Quantification of minerals and their abundance. Determination of Soil colour using Munsell Chart. Estimation of water holding capacity and hydraulic conductivity of soils. Estimation of Infiltration rate using double ring infiltrometer method. Estimation of soil moisture using gypsum block and neutron probe method. Soil compaction measurement with Pentrometer. Determination of pore space of soil. Determination of field capacity and permanent wilting point of soil. Determination of soil water potential characteristic curves by tensiometer and pressure plate apparatus. Aggregate size distribution analysis of soil. Air capacity of soil by fieldmeth Nursery raising/procurement and transplanting, management and maintenance of the crop, postharvest handling, quality control and marketing.
Suggested Readings
1. Das D K. 2011. Introductory Soil Science (3rd Revised Edn.). Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana.
2. Fundamentals of Soil Science by Indian Society of Soil Science Second Revised Edition 2009. Indian Society of Soil Science. New Delhi.
3. Nyle C Brady and Weil Ray R. 2016. The Nature and Properties of Soils (15th Edn.). Prentice Hall of India Pvt Ltd. New Delhi.
4. Sharma Pradeep K. 2017. Introduction to Soil Physics First Edition Westville Publishing House. New Delhi.
5. Saha A K. 2008. Text Book of Soil Physics. (Reprint). Kalyani Publishers. Ludhiana.
6. Sehgal J A. 2005. Textbook of Paedology Concepts and Applications. Kalyani Publishers. Ludhiana.