Soil Science

  1. Soil Chemical Properties
    1. Soil Colloids
      1. Properties of Soil Colloids
        1. Surface Area
          1. Surface Charge
            1. Adsorption Capacity
            2. Types of Soil Colloids
              1. Crystalline Silicate Clays
                1. Kaolinite
                  1. Montmorillonite
                    1. Illite
                    2. Noncrystalline Silicate Clays
                      1. Allophane
                        1. Imogolite
                        2. Iron and Aluminum Oxides
                          1. Goethite
                            1. Gibbsite
                            2. Humus
                              1. Composition
                                1. Role in Nutrient Retention
                            3. Ion Exchange
                              1. Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
                                1. Definition and Significance
                                  1. Factors Affecting CEC
                                    1. Measurement Methods
                                    2. Base Saturation
                                      1. Calculation
                                        1. Importance for Fertility
                                        2. Anion Exchange Capacity (AEC)
                                          1. Occurrence and Significance
                                        3. Soil Reaction (pH)
                                          1. Acidity and Alkalinity
                                            1. pH Scale
                                              1. Acid Soils
                                                1. Alkaline Soils
                                                2. Causes of Soil Acidity
                                                  1. Leaching of Bases
                                                    1. Organic Matter Decomposition
                                                      1. Fertilizer Use
                                                      2. Causes of Soil Alkalinity
                                                        1. Parent Material
                                                          1. Low Rainfall
                                                          2. Buffering Capacity
                                                            1. Mechanisms of Buffering
                                                              1. Importance for Management
                                                              2. Managing Soil pH
                                                                1. Liming Acid Soils
                                                                  1. Acidifying Alkaline Soils
                                                                2. Soil Salinity and Sodicity
                                                                  1. Measurement of Salinity
                                                                    1. Electrical Conductivity (EC)
                                                                      1. Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP)
                                                                      2. Classification of Salt-Affected Soils
                                                                        1. Saline Soils
                                                                          1. Sodic Soils
                                                                            1. Saline-Sodic Soils
                                                                            2. Effects on Plants
                                                                              1. Osmotic Stress
                                                                                1. Specific Ion Toxicity
                                                                                2. Effects on Soil Properties
                                                                                  1. Structure Degradation
                                                                                    1. Reduced Permeability
                                                                                    2. Reclamation of Salt-Affected Soils
                                                                                      1. Leaching
                                                                                        1. Gypsum Application
                                                                                          1. Drainage Improvement
                                                                                        2. Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Potential
                                                                                          1. Concept of Eh
                                                                                            1. Measurement of Redox Potential
                                                                                              1. Importance in Waterlogged Soils
                                                                                                1. Anaerobic Conditions
                                                                                                  1. Effects on Nutrient Availability

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                                                                                              4. Soil Physical Properties

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                                                                                              6. Soil Biology and Ecology