Soil is a basic and fundamental component of agriculture which performs multifaceted functions like providing food, fuel, feed and fibre needs to the burgeoning population, regulating the quality of the atmosphere and water, decomposing organic waste, recycling nutrients and filtering pollutants. This natural resource base needs to be explored with respect to its physical , chemical and live components and this implications and manifestation in isolation or in combination. The huge hidden treasure present in soil has yet remained a great mystery through several folds of complexity, versatility and functions. As a matter of fact, these revelations are going to help the mankind in improving its standard and quality of living with best management practices
Dr. R. Rajeswari Assistant Professor(SS & AC), Dept. of Sericulture Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Mettupalayam, Coimbatore
Dr. D. Leninraja, Assistant Professor Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Agriculture College and Research Institute Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Killikulam
Dr. R.K. Kaleeswari, Professor Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Agricultural College and Research Institute Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Dr. M.R. Latha, Associate Professor Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Agricultural College and Research Institute Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Dr. R. Indirani, Assistant Professor Department of Soil and Environment Agricultural College and Research Institute Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai
1. Concepts of Soil ................................................................................. 1
2. Origin and Theories of Earth Crust ............................................... 5
3. Types of Rocks ................................................................................. 13
4. Mineralogical Composition of Rocks ........................................... 17
5. Soil Forming Primary Minerals ..................................................... 21
6. Secondary Minerals ........................................................................ 29
7. Weathering of Rocks and Minerals .............................................. 35
8. Soil Profile ......................................................................................... 45
9. Factors of Soil Formation ............................................................... 49
10. Soil Forming Processes .................................................................... 55
11. Basics of Soil Properties .................................................................. 61
12. Soil Texture ....................................................................................... 63
13. Soil Structure .................................................................................... 73
14. Soil Consistence ............................................................................... 83
15. Soil Density and Porosity ............................................................... 87
16. Soil Colour ........................................................................................ 93
17. Soil Temperature and Soil Air....................................................... 97
18. Soil Water........................................................................................105
19. Soil Colloids ....................................................................................115
20. Phyllosilicate Minerals ..................................................................121
21. Sources and Charges in Clay Minerals .....................................129
22. Ion Exchange Reactions ...............................................................133
23. Soil Reaction ...................................................................................139
24. Soil Electrical Conductivity .........................................................151
25. Soil Organic Matter.......................................................................155
26. Carbon Cycle and Carbon Trading ...........................................163
27. Humus Formation .........................................................................169
28. Soil Organisms ...............................................................................173
29. Soil Enzymes ..................................................................................177
30. Impact of Soil Properties on Crop Growth ...............................179
