AGSC 201 - Basic Soil Science

• Compare and discuss the use and management considerations of unique soils based on physical and chemical characteristics.
• Classify physical and mineral structural units of soils.
• Make general land use and fertility recommendations based on organic matter constituents, distribution, and cycling.
• Estimate and evaluate soil texture using standard methods.
• Identify types and measurements of soil water and describe how each changes based on soil texture and percent organic matter.
• Identify common gases in soil and compare them to atmospheric concentrations.
• Describe cation exchange capacity and how it is influenced by texture, mineralogy, pH, and organic matter.
• Describe the process of soil formation and development.
• Predict the physical and chemical characteristics of a soil based on climate, parent materials and mineralogy.
• Recommend best management practices to reduce soil loss and to increase or maintain site productivity based on a field site assessment inclusive of a soil profile and identification of land capability class for a specific intended use.

1. Soil Components, Phases, and Profile-Horizons
2. Land Evaluation
3. Organic Fraction of Soil
4. Rocks, Parent Material, Soil Formation
5. Physical Properties of Soil
6. Mineral Fraction of Soils
7. Soil Reaction - Acidity & Alkalinity
8. Soil Water Relationships