Crop Science and Production

  1. Soil Science and Management
    1. Soil Formation and Composition
      1. Soil Formation Processes
        1. Weathering Processes
          1. Physical Weathering
            1. Chemical Weathering
              1. Biological Weathering
              2. Soil-Forming Factors
                1. Parent Material
                  1. Climate
                    1. Topography
                      1. Organisms
                        1. Time
                      2. Soil Profile Development
                        1. Horizon Formation
                          1. O Horizon
                            1. A Horizon
                              1. E Horizon
                                1. B Horizon
                                  1. C Horizon
                                    1. R Horizon
                                    2. Soil Components
                                      1. Mineral Components
                                        1. Sand
                                          1. Particle Size
                                          2. Silt
                                            1. Particle Size
                                            2. Clay
                                              1. Particle Size
                                                1. Clay Minerals
                                              2. Organic Matter
                                                1. Fresh Organic Matter
                                                  1. Humus
                                                    1. Formation Process
                                                      1. Functions
                                                      2. Decomposition Processes
                                                        1. Microbial Decomposition
                                                          1. Factors Affecting Decomposition
                                                        2. Soil Water
                                                          1. Forms of Soil Water
                                                            1. Soil Water Holding Capacity
                                                              1. Field Capacity
                                                                1. Permanent Wilting Point
                                                                  1. Available Water
                                                                  2. Soil Air
                                                                    1. Soil Aeration
                                                                      1. Gas Exchange
                                                                        1. Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Levels
                                                                    2. Soil Physical Properties
                                                                      1. Soil Texture
                                                                        1. Textural Classes
                                                                          1. Soil Textural Triangle
                                                                            1. Determination Methods
                                                                              1. Hydrometer Method
                                                                                1. Pipette Method
                                                                                2. Influence on Crop Production
                                                                                  1. Water Holding Capacity
                                                                                    1. Nutrient Retention
                                                                                      1. Root Penetration
                                                                                    2. Soil Structure
                                                                                      1. Types of Soil Structure
                                                                                        1. Granular
                                                                                          1. Blocky
                                                                                            1. Platy
                                                                                              1. Prismatic
                                                                                              2. Structure Formation
                                                                                                1. Aggregation Processes
                                                                                                  1. Binding Agents
                                                                                                  2. Impact on Crop Production
                                                                                                    1. Root Growth
                                                                                                      1. Water Infiltration
                                                                                                        1. Air Movement
                                                                                                      2. Soil Density and Porosity
                                                                                                        1. Bulk Density
                                                                                                          1. Measurement
                                                                                                            1. Factors Affecting
                                                                                                            2. Particle Density
                                                                                                              1. Porosity
                                                                                                                1. Total Porosity
                                                                                                                  1. Macropores
                                                                                                                    1. Micropores
                                                                                                                    2. Soil Compaction
                                                                                                                      1. Causes
                                                                                                                        1. Effects on Crops
                                                                                                                          1. Prevention and Remediation
                                                                                                                        2. Soil Color
                                                                                                                          1. Factors Determining Color
                                                                                                                            1. Munsell Color System
                                                                                                                              1. Indicators of Soil Properties
                                                                                                                                1. Organic Matter Content
                                                                                                                                  1. Drainage Status
                                                                                                                                    1. Iron Content
                                                                                                                                  2. Soil Temperature
                                                                                                                                    1. Heat Sources
                                                                                                                                      1. Factors Affecting Temperature
                                                                                                                                        1. Solar Radiation
                                                                                                                                          1. Soil Color
                                                                                                                                            1. Moisture Content
                                                                                                                                              1. Organic Matter
                                                                                                                                              2. Effects on Plant Growth
                                                                                                                                                1. Seed Germination
                                                                                                                                                  1. Root Growth
                                                                                                                                                    1. Nutrient Availability
                                                                                                                                                      1. Microbial Activity
                                                                                                                                                    2. Soil Water Relations
                                                                                                                                                      1. Water Movement in Soil
                                                                                                                                                        1. Infiltration
                                                                                                                                                          1. Percolation
                                                                                                                                                            1. Capillary Rise
                                                                                                                                                              1. Evaporation
                                                                                                                                                            2. Soil Chemical Properties
                                                                                                                                                              1. Soil pH
                                                                                                                                                                1. Definition and Scale
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Measurement Methods
                                                                                                                                                                    1. pH Meters
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Indicator Solutions
                                                                                                                                                                      2. Factors Affecting pH
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Parent Material
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Climate
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Organic Matter
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Fertilizer Use
                                                                                                                                                                              2. Effects on Nutrient Availability
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Nutrient Solubility
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Microbial Activity
                                                                                                                                                                                  2. pH Adjustment
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Liming Acidic Soils
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Acidifying Alkaline Soils
                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Cation Exchange Capacity
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Definition and Importance
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Exchange Sites
                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Clay Minerals
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Organic Matter
                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Base Saturation
                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Factors Affecting CEC
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Relationship to Soil Fertility
                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Soil Salinity and Sodicity
                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Salinity
                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Electrical Conductivity
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Salt-Affected Soils
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Effects on Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Sodicity
                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Sodium Adsorption Ratio
                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Exchangeable Sodium Percentage
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Soil Structure Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Management Practices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Leaching
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Drainage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Amendments
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Soil Organic Matter
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Components
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Functions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Nutrient Supply
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Water Retention
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Soil Structure
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Organic Inputs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Decomposition Control
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            3. Soil Biology
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Soil Organisms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Microorganisms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Bacteria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Types and Functions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Population Dynamics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Fungi
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Types and Functions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Mycorrhizal Associations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Actinomycetes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Algae
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Protozoa
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Mesofauna
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Nematodes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Arthropods
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Tardigrades
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Macrofauna
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Earthworms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Types and Functions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Soil Improvement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Insects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Other Invertebrates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3. The Soil Food Web
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Trophic Levels
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Primary Producers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Primary Consumers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Secondary Consumers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Decomposers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Energy Flow
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Nutrient Cycling
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Microbial Functions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Organic Matter Decomposition
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Nutrient Cycling
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Nitrogen Fixation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Nitrification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Denitrification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Phosphorus Solubilization
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Disease Suppression
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Soil Structure Formation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  3. Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Essential Plant Nutrients
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Macronutrients
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Nitrogen
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Forms in Soil
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Functions in Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Deficiency Symptoms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Phosphorus
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Forms in Soil
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Functions in Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Deficiency Symptoms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Potassium
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Forms in Soil
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Functions in Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Deficiency Symptoms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Calcium
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Forms in Soil
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Functions in Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Deficiency Symptoms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Magnesium
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Forms in Soil
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Functions in Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Deficiency Symptoms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Sulfur
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Forms in Soil
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Functions in Plants
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Deficiency Symptoms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Secondary Nutrients
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Calcium
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Magnesium
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Sulfur
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Micronutrients
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Iron
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Manganese
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Zinc
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Copper
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Boron
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Molybdenum
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Chlorine
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Nickel
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Nutrient Cycles
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Nitrogen Cycle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Nitrogen Fixation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Biological Fixation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Industrial Fixation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Mineralization
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Nitrification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Denitrification
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Volatilization
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Leaching
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Phosphorus Cycle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Weathering
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Mineralization
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Immobilization
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Fixation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Potassium Cycle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Weathering
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Exchange Reactions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Fixation and Release
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Sulfur Cycle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Mineralization
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Oxidation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Reduction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Soil Testing and Analysis
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Sampling Methods
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Sampling Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Sampling Depth
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Sample Handling
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Laboratory Analysis
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. pH Testing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Nutrient Testing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Organic Matter Testing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Salinity Testing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Interpretation of Results
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Nutrient Levels
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Recommendations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Calibration Studies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Fertilizers and Amendments
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Organic Fertilizers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Compost
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Composting Process
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Quality Standards
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Application Methods
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Animal Manures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Types and Composition
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Processing and Storage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Application Rates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Green Manures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Cover Crops
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Incorporation Methods
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Other Organic Sources
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Biosolids
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Industrial Byproducts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Inorganic Fertilizers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Nitrogen Fertilizers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Urea
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Ammonium Sulfate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Ammonium Nitrate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Anhydrous Ammonia
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Phosphorus Fertilizers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Superphosphate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Triple Superphosphate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Diammonium Phosphate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Potassium Fertilizers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Muriate of Potash
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Sulfate of Potash
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Complete Fertilizers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. NPK Ratios
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Formulations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Application Methods
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Broadcasting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Band Placement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Foliar Application
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Fertigation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Soil Amendments
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Liming Materials
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Limestone
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Hydrated Lime
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Wood Ash
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Acidifying Materials
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Sulfur
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Aluminum Sulfate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Organic Amendments
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Peat
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Biochar
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Sawdust
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    3. Soil and Water Conservation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Soil Erosion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Types of Erosion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Water Erosion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Sheet Erosion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Rill Erosion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Gully Erosion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Stream Bank Erosion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Wind Erosion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Saltation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Suspension
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Surface Creep
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Factors Affecting Erosion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Rainfall Intensity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Slope
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Soil Properties
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Vegetation Cover
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Erosion Assessment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Universal Soil Loss Equation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Wind Erosion Equation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Conservation Practices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Tillage Systems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Conventional Tillage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Reduced Tillage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. No-Till
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Strip-Till
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Ridge-Till
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Cover Cropping
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Cover Crop Selection
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Management Practices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Benefits for Soil Health
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Crop Residue Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Residue Retention
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Mulching Benefits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Contour Farming
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Contour Plowing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Contour Strip Cropping
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Terracing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Types of Terraces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Construction and Maintenance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Windbreaks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Design and Establishment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Species Selection
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Water Conservation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Water Harvesting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Surface Water Harvesting
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Groundwater Recharge
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Efficient Irrigation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Scheduling
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. System Selection
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Water Application Uniformity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Drainage Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Surface Drainage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Subsurface Drainage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Controlled Drainage