SSC 203: Soil Physics, Genesis, and Classification
Credit Hours: 2 (1+1)
Full Marks: 50 (Theory: 25, Practical: 25)
Course Objectives
Upon completion, students will be able to:
- Understand soil physics concepts, including soil water movement and energy potential.
- Learn soil genesis, soil forming processes, and mineral weathering.
- Use diagnostic soil properties to develop soil classification systems.
- Identify soil types in Nepal and their potential uses.
I. Syllabus
- Soil physics: quantitative concepts, soil water potential (total, gravitational, pressure, osmotic), soil moisture measurement.
- Soil moisture characteristic curves.
- Water flow in soil: saturated, unsaturated, and vapor flow.
- Air and heat movement in soils; infiltration characteristics; soil aeration and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Soil forming factors and processes; weathering of rocks and minerals.
- Soil profile, diagnostic horizons, surface and subsurface horizons.
- Soil moisture and temperature regimes.
- Soil classification systems: history and modern approaches, FAO/UNESCO and soil taxonomy.
- Soils of Nepal and their suitability for agriculture and other uses.
II. Course Outline
A. Lecture
| S.N. | Topic | No. of Lectures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quantitative concept of soil physics; measurement of soil water potential (total, gravitational, pressure, osmotic) | 1 |
| 2 | Soil moisture characteristic curves and soil moisture tension | 1 |
| 3 | Flow of water through soil: saturated, unsaturated, vapor | 1 |
| 4 | Air and heat movement in soil; infiltration characteristics | 1 |
| 5 | Soil aeration: significance, composition, mechanism of renewal; greenhouse gas emissions | 1 |
| 6 | Soil forming factors and processes; weathering of rocks and minerals | 1 |
| 7 | Soil profile and horizons; diagnostic horizons and designations | 2 |
| 8 | Soil moisture and temperature regimes | 2 |
| 9 | Introduction and history of soil classification; modern systems | 1 |
| 10 | Classification according to soil taxonomy; FAO/UNESCO system | 1 |
| 11 | Soils of Nepal and their suitability | 2 |
| Total | 15 |
B. Practical
| S.N. | Topic | No. of Practicals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Determination of soil wetness by gravimetric, volumetric methods | 1 |
| 2 | Determination of water availability by resistance method | 1 |
| 3 | Mass and volume relationships of soil constituents (sample problems) | 1 |
| 4 | Measurement of soil moisture potential using field tensiometer | 1 |
| 5 | Calculation of water quantities | 1 |
| 6 | Observation of capillary process of soil | 1 |
| 7 | Demonstration of different types/scales of soil maps, aerial/topographic maps | 1 |
| 8 | Observation/description of color plates for genetic soil processes | 1 |
| 9 | Determination of saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil | 2 |
| 10 | Describing sample soil profiles for classification under landscapes | 2 |
| 11 | Development of soil maps and reports | 1 |
| 12 | Group presentation | 2 |
| Total | 15 |
References
- Hillel, D. (2004). Introduction to Environmental Soil Physics. Elsevier Academic Press.
- Buol, S.W., Southard, R.J., Graham, R.C., & McDaniel, P.A. (2011). Soil Genesis and Classification, 6th Ed. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Brady, N.C., & Weil, R.R. (2012). The Nature and Properties of Soils, 14th Ed. Prentice-Hall.
- Buol, S.W., Hole, F.D., McCracken, R.J., & Southard, R.J. (1997). Soil Genesis and Classification, 4th Ed. Iowa State University Press.
