Soil Science

An Undergraduate Library Subject Guide providing suggested resources and other information for beginning research on the topic Soil Science.

Introduction
Soil science deals with the physical, chemical, mineralogical, and biological properties of soil. It also involves the utilization of soil and soil management.

The ultimate goal of studying soil science is to provide knowledge and sufficient information on soil formation and management for crop production, to know the role of soil in the storage of water. The discipline enables one to understand the purposes of micro and macro-organisms in the soil.

It also provides support to crop production, raw materials to million industries, water quality for biota, animal and human survival, recycling of abundant dead materials, landscaping for engineering and research purposes, foreign exchange for national income and accommodation for animal and human interactions.

As a discipline, it plays a crucial role in many of the current issues that confront the world like climate change, water scarcity, biodiversity and environmental degradation.

Being a diverse field, it can be applied by engineers, agronomists, chemists, geologists, physical geographers, ecologists, biologists, microbiologists, silviculturists, sanitarians, archaeologists, and specialists in regional planning to contribute to further knowledge of soils and the advancement of the soil sciences.

Key Terms
  • Soil
  • Pedology
  • Edaphology
  • Natural resources
  • Soil chemistry
  • Soil Biology
  • Minerals
  • Soil Organic matter
  • Soil texture
  • Soil reaction
  • Soil structure
  • Soil temperature
  • Soil aeration
  • Soil Micro organism
  • Soil water
  • Soil Classification
  • Soil Morphology
  • Soil Formation