Fundamentals of Soil Science (B.Sc Agriculture)

Soil formation, physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, and soil classification.

6 MonthsDuration 5Chapters21Topics

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Syllabus · पाठ्यक्रम

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01Unit 1: Soil Formation 5 topics

Soil as a natural body; pedology and edaphology
Rocks and minerals
Physical, chemical and biological weathering
Soil forming factors and processes
Soil profile and horizons

02Unit 2: Soil Physical Properties 5 topics

Soil texture and textural classes
Soil structure
Particle density, bulk density and porosity
Soil colour and consistence
Soil water, air and temperature

03Unit 3: Soil Chemical Properties 4 topics

Soil colloids: clay minerals and humus
Ion exchange and CEC
Soil reaction (pH) and buffering
Acid, saline and sodic soils and their reclamation

04Unit 4: Soil Organic Matter and Biology 3 topics

Sources and decomposition of organic matter
Humus and C:N ratio
Soil organisms and their role

05Unit 5: Soil Classification 4 topics

Historical classifications
USDA Soil Taxonomy: soil orders
Soils of India: alluvial, black, red, laterite
Soil survey basics

About

You will be able to

Explain rocks, minerals, weathering and the factors and processes of soil formation
Describe the soil profile and master horizons
Measure and explain soil texture, structure, bulk density, porosity, soil water, air and temperature
Explain soil colloids, cation exchange, soil pH and problem soils (acid, saline, sodic)
Describe soil organic matter, humus and soil organisms
Classify soils by USDA Soil Taxonomy and describe the major soils of India

Who it is for

B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture students of Semester 1 (ICAR 5th Deans' Committee syllabus)
Students of UP agriculture colleges preparing for semester exams or back papers
Aspirants revising basics for ICAR / state agriculture exams

What you need

10+2 with Biology / Agriculture (basic chemistry helps)
Scientific calculator for numericals

Questions

Which syllabus does this course follow?

It follows the ICAR 5th Deans' Committee syllabus of B.Sc (Hons.) Agriculture, Semester 1, used by UP agricultural universities and agriculture colleges.

What if my university syllabus is different?

The centre follows your own university's syllabus and previous papers; units missing here are added for your batch.

Does it help for competitive exams?

Yes - the same topics are asked in ICAR AIEEA PG, JRF, state agriculture officer and banking AFO exams.