Chapter 1: Introduction (Fundamental Concepts and Definition of Soil

Science)

Definition of Soil Science:

• Soil science deals with soil as a natural resource on the surface of the earth including soil
formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility
properties of soils and these properties in relation to the use and management of soils.
Approaches on the Study of Soil Science

Pedological Approach:

 The origin of the soil, its classification and its description

are examined in Pedology. (From Greek word pedon,
means soil or earth).
 Pedology is the study of soil as a natural body and does
not focus on the soil’s immediate practical use.
 A pedologist studies, examines and classifies soil as they
occur in their natural environment.

Edaphological Approach:

 Edophology (from Greek word edaphos, means soil or

ground) is the study of soil from the stand point of higher
plants.
 Edaphologists consider the various properties of soil in
relation to plant production. They are practical and have the
production of food and fiber as their ultimate goal. They
must determine the reasons for variation in the productivity
of soils and find means for improvement.

Definition of Soil:

 living, dynamic system which forms at the interface between the atmosphere and
lithosphere in response to forces exerted by climate and living organisms acting on
parent material as conditioned by topography/relief over a period of time.
Five (5) factors of soil formation:

S = f (c, lo, r, p, t)
 Functions of the Soil

Medium for Plant Growth

 Soil acts primarily as a medium for the growth of natural vegetation.

 Soil assures the supply of food, feeds, energy, and raw materials

Anchorage

 soil mass provides physical support, anchoring the root system so that the plant does not
fall over or blow away
Water

 absorb water and hold it where it can be used by plant roots

Air

 maintaining the quantity and quality of air by allowing CO2 to escape and fresh O2 to enter
the root zone
Nutrients
• A fertile soil will provide a continuing supply of dissolved mineral nutrients in amounts and
relative proportions appropriate for optimal plant growth
Protection from toxins

 Soil ventilates gases by decomposing or absorbing organic toxins and suppresses toxin-
producing organisms
Temperature Moderation

 Insulating properties of soil protect deeper portion of the root system for extreme hot and
cold temperature that often occur at the soil surface.
Regulates System of Water Supply

 soil allows the rain to soak in, some of the water will be stored in the soil, some used by
the trees, and some will seep slowly down through the soil layers to the groundwater
 contaminated water is purified and cleansed by soil processes that remove many
impurities and kill potential disease organisms
Recycle raw materials or organic waste to produce nutrients

 Soils have the capacity to assimilate great quantities of organic waste, turning it into
beneficial soil organic matter
 converting the mineral nutrients in the waste to forms that can be utilized by plants and
animals
 Some soils can accumulate large amounts of carbon as soil organic matter, thus reducing
the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide
Modify the Atmosphere

 soils absorb oxygen and other gases such as methane

 evaporation of soil moisture is a major source of water vapor in the atmosphere, altering
air temperature, composition, and weather patterns
 In places where the soil is dry, poorly structured, and un-vegetated, soil particles can be
picked up by winds and contribute great quantities of dust to the atmosphere, reducing
visibility, increasing human health hazards from breathing dirty air, and altering the
temperature of the air and of the Earth itself.
Habitat for soil organisms

 handful of soil may be home to billions of organisms, belonging to thousands of species

that act as predators, prey, producers, consumers, and parasites
 tremendous range of niches and habitats exist in the soil
Engineering Medium

 earliest and the most widely used of building materials

 most constructed structures do rest on the soil, and many construction projects require
excavation into the soil, however some soils are not as stable as others
 Reliable construction on soils, and with soil materials, requires knowledge of the diversity
of soil properties

Why Study Soil?

1. To understand how soil chemical and physical properties affect various uses of soils
2. To learn how to conserve and utilize soils properly.
 Poorly managed soils lose up to 30 tons/acre/year to erosion
3. To understand how soil properties can be modified to improve their quality for a particular
use
Areas of Study in Soil Science

1. Soil Genesis - The study of the origin of the soil with special reference to the processes
responsible for its development of the soil from the unconsolidated parent material.

 Looks at how active soil forming factors such climate and living organisms affect
the development of a parent material into a soil with time.

2. Soil Survey and Classification - The systematic examination, description, classification,

and mapping of soils in an area.

 Deals with actual field characterization and mapping but also uses remote sensing
techniques and GIS application

3. Soil Physics - The branch of soil science that deals with the physical properties of the
soil, with emphasis on the state and transport of matter (especially water) and energy in
the soil.

4. Soil Microbiology - The branch of soil science concerned with soil-inhabiting

microorganisms, their functions, and activities.

5. Soil Fertility - The branch of soil science concerned with the quality of a soil that enables
it to provide nutrients in adequate amounts and in proper balance for the growth of
specified plants or crops.
6. Soil Chemistry - The branch of soil science that deals with the chemical constitution,
chemical properties, and chemical reactions of soils.

7. Soil Conservation - The branch of soil science concerned with the protection of the soil
against physical loss by erosion or against chemical deterioration; that is, excessive loss
of fertility by either natural or artificial means.

Brief History of the Development of Soil Science

 Originally a branch of Geology that developed into an independent natural science

 Starting in the 19th century, Soil Science was already considered as a natural
science that deals with a natural body –the soil.
 Major applications were initially toward addressing agricultural concerns and has
greatly contributed to the increased food production worldwide.
 Worsening environmental problems and the increased realization that the soil can
treat contaminants has dramatically changed the focus of soil science.

Three Periods in the Development of Soil Science

1. Ancient
4,000 years ago – Chinese attempted to classify the soil
2,000 years ago – Greeks and Romans started simple soil studies

Theophrastus (371-286 BC) --gave the soil the name “edaphos” and
described soil properties that affect growth
 Cato (234-149 BC) ---developed a classification system of arable soils
and emphasized the suitability of soils for farming.

2. Pre-Soil Science Period

Justus Von Liebig (1803-1873) --Established agricultural chemistry snd

formulated the mineral theory of plant nutrition –The Law
of Minimum
Henri Darcy (1803-1929) --Developed the key law in Soil Physics (Darcy’s
Law) that describes water flow in soils
JV Liebig Joseph Henry Gilbert (1817-1901) ---Established first systematic long-
term field fertilizer experiment in the world-famous
Rothamsted Experimental Station

3. Early Soil Science Period

Friedrich Albert Fallou (1794 – 1877)

- In his book “Pedology or General and Special Soil Science”

(1862), he argued for the recognition of Soil Science as an
independent natural science

-Founder of Soil Science

Vasily Vasilyevich Dokuchaev (1846-1903)

- In his book “Russian Chernozem” (1883), he discussed the

factors of soil formation and he introduced the ABC horizon
nomenclature system

-Father of Modern Soil Science

Eugene W. Hilgard (1833-1893) ---One of the first to apply soil science to solve
problems in agriculture and is considered the “Father of
American Soil Science”
Hans Jenny (1899-1992) ---In 1941 published “Factors of Soil Formation”
S = f (c, lo, r, p, t, ...)
where:
c – climate
lo – living organism
r – relief/topography
p – parent material
t – time
The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS)
- The global scientific organization of soil scientists and soil science
practitioners
- A full member of the International Council for Sciences (the governing
body for the sciences composed of 25 international science unions)