Soil Science Simplified

Neal S. Eash is a Professor of Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN, USA.

Thomas J. Sauer is a Research Soil Scientist in the Soil, Water, and Air Research Unit at the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Ames, IA, USA.

Deb O???Dell is a Doctoral Candidate in the Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science Department at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN, USA.

Evah Odoi is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, TN, USA.

1. Introduction to Soil

What is Soil?

Nature and Uses of Soil

How Big Is an Acre? A Hectare?

2. Soil Formation

The Rock Cycle

Composition of the Earth’s Crust

Processes of Rock Weathering

Factors of Soil Formation

Soil Horizon Development

Let’s Take a Trip

3. Soil Physical Properties

Soil Phases

Soil Separates

Soil Texture

Soil Structure

Benefits of Aggregation

Porosity and Density

Composition of Soil Pores

Soil Consistence

Soil Color

4. Soil Biological Properties

Organic Matter and Humus

The Carbon Cycle

Carbon Sequestration

Nitrous oxide loss

Plant Roots and the Rhizosphere

Microorganisms               

Biological Decomposition of Rocks

Macroorganisms

Pesticide Use and Soil Organisms

5. Soil Chemical Properties

Soil Colloidal System

Silicate Clays

Oxide Clays

Cation Exchange

Anion Exchange               

Soil Reaction (pH)

Soil Aggregation

6. Soil Water

Hydrologic Cycle

Soil Water Storage and Movement

Water Use by Plants

Drainage

Irrigation

Water Conservation

7. Soil Temperature

Importance of Soil Temperature              

Factors Affecting Energy Inputs

Energy Inputs and Temperature Change

Heat Transfer in Soils

Soil Temperature Fluctuations

Managing Soil Temperature

8. Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition

Soil Fertility

Plant Nutrition

Determining Nutrient Needs

Adding Plant Nutrients

Precision Farming

Organic Framing/Gardening

Composting

Fertilizer materials and concentrations

Fate of applied fertilizers (Denitrification, nitrous oxide loss)

9. Soil Management

Physical Condition

Tillage Practices               

Chemical Characteristics

Biological Characteristics

Crop Production Factors

10. Soil Conservation and the Environment

Erosion Processes

Erosion by Water

Erosion by Wind

Erosion by Mass Wasting

Sediment as a Pollutant

Extent of the Problem

11.Conservation Agriculture

Principles

Trends in No-till adoption in Mechanized Agriculture

Trends in Hoe-till adoption in Subsistence Agriculture

Cover Crops

Crop Rotations

Weed Control

Value Chain

12. Soil Classification and Surveyd

The Soil Classification Categories

The 12 Soil Orders

Time is too Short for Strong Soil Development

Climate Is the Dominant Factor in Soil Development

Parent Material Is Specific

Vegetation Is a Grassland (Prairie)

Climate and Vegetation Combination Dominates             

Soil Horizons

Description of the Diagnostic Surface Horizons (Epipedons)

Description of Subsurface Horizons

Other Diagnostic Subsurface Horizons

Soil Moisture and Temperature Regimes             

Soil Surveys

Land Capability Classes

Soil Landscape Appreciation

13. Soil and Its Uses

Urban Soils

Engineering Uses

Municipal Wastes

Disturbed or Contaminated Lands

Glossary

Index

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