SSAC-111 Fundamentals of Soil Science

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Objectives

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

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 plasticity, 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 particle density, bulk 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.

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Lecture Schedule: Theory

1. Soil: Pedological and edaphalogical concepts 1
2. Rocks and minerals, weathering 3
3. Silicate clays: constitution and properties, sources of charge 3
4. ion exchange, cation and anion exchange capacity and base saturation (after
   buffering capacity) 2
5. Soil formation 2
6. Soil organic matter 2
7. Pedogenic processes 2
8. Soil colloids: inorganic and organic 2
9. Properties of soil colloids and Ion exchange in soils, 2
10. Soil profile 1
11. Soil texture, soil structure 2
12. Bulk density and particle density, soil consistency, Soil plasticity 1
13. Soil temperature 2
14. Soil air 2
15. Soil water 2
16. Soil reaction and buffering capacity 1
17. Soil taxonomy, keys to soil orders. Soils of India. 2
    Total theory classes 32

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Lecture Schedule: Practical

1 Study of general properties of minerals 1
2 Study of minerals-silicate and non-silicate minerals, 1
3 Study of rocks-igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks 1
4 Study of a soil profile 1
5 Collection and processing of soil for analysis 1
6 Study of soil texture-feel method, mechanical analysis 2
7 Determination particle density, bulk density and soil porosity 1
8 Determination of soil colour 1
9 Study of soil structure and aggregate analysis, 2
10 Determination of soil moisture 1
11 Determination of soil moisture constants field capacity; water holding
capacity 1
12 Study of infiltration rate of soil 2
13 Determination of pH and Electrical conductivity of soil. 1
Total practical classes 16

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Suggested readings

1. Introductory Soil Science – By Dilip Kumar Das, Kalyani Publishers
2. Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management – By S. S. Singh, Kalyani Publishers
3. Soil Fertility and Fertilizers – By Samual L. Tisdale, Werner L. Nelson and James D. Beaton,
   Macmillan Publishing Company, New York
4. The Nature and Properties of Soils – By Harry O. Buckman and Nyle C.