The concept that soil is three-dimensional and dynamic is developed in the first two chapters of this book and is built on throughout this thoroughly revised text. The book explores soil physical properties and water, with expanded coverage of tillage and traffic and an increased emphasis on water and wind erosion processes; discusses the biological aspects of soils as well as their mineralogical and chemical properties; covers the general area of soil fertility and fertilizer use; examines soil genesis, taxonomy, geography, land use and soil survey, and land use interpretations; and discusses the importance of non-agronomic factors in the food population problem. Both English and metric units are used for crop yields, new figures and tables are included, summary statements are given at the end of the more difficult sections and at the end of each chapter, and non-agricultural examples and several computer applications are provided for reference.
Soil as a Medium for Plant Growth. Soil as a Natural Body. Soil Physical Properties. Tillage and Traffic. Soil Water. Soil Water Management. Soil Erosion. Soil Ecology. Soil Organic Matter. Soil Mineralogy. Soil Chemistry. Plant-Soil Macronutrient Relations. Micronutrients and Toxic Elements. Fertilizers. Soil Fertility Evaluation and Fertilizer Use. Soil Genesis. Soil Taxonomy. Soil Geography and Land Use. Soil Surveys and Land-Use Interpretations. Land and the World Food Supply. Appendices. Glossary. Index.