Soil

This book on "SOIL" has been written in a very simple and straightforward manner, which is easy to understand by anyone who may have a simple academic background of general science. This book contains the basic properties of soil, which have been distinctly described under separate chapters, which include an Introduction, Physical, Chemical, Mineralogical, and its Biological properties. In addition, a comprehensive descriptive picture of Soil has been presented in the following chapter of "Soil survey and classification " which brings out the entire philosophy of soil and its classification methodology in a very precise manner. It is based on the Classification System developed in the United States of America and is agreed upon by the Soil Scientists of the most parts of the world. This is an open system and is very viable, because it has a tremendous scope of improvements in future. This is essential when one considers that soil itself is a very dynamic system in nature. Finally the book ends with an insight for Crop production based on its variable properties followed by its last chapter "Soil Care". This last chapter aims at the sustainability and productivity of our soil resources for a longer period of time. This is possible only when we consider all aspects of soil's properties and focus on its individuality, as it exists at a particular location and time. The purpose of this book is to bring awareness in the minds of people of the world that soil is a living identity and must be used with utmost care. Based on my thirty-eight years of prolonged learning which includes all the theories and the practical aspects of Soil I must say, "It is the only natural gift on which all kinds of living things have been depended upon and will continue to depend in future too." So each of us has to remain obliged towards this, which is always under our feet.