Soil Science Essentials and Historical Definitions

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing fundamental soil science terms, key historical definitions, and influential founding scientists ('Fathers of Soil Science').

Solum

Latin word meaning ground / floor.

Ped

A 3-dimensional piece of landscape that acts as a natural home for an aggregate of soil.

Whitney (1892)

Defined soil as a 'Nutrient Bin'.

Hilgard (1892)

Defined soil as more or less loose and friable material in which plants by means of their roots find a foothold for growth & other conditions.

V.V. Dokuchaev

Defined soil as a natural body composed of mineral & organic matter (1879, 1883); also known as the 'Father of Soil Science or Modern Pedology'.

Joffe (1936)

Defined soil as a natural body, 3-D in character, differentiated into horizons of variable depth & originating from parent material.

Ramann (1911)

Defined soil as upper weathering crust of earth, modified by biological factors & living organisms & plant growth.

Soil Science Society of America (1952)

Defined soil as unconsolidated mineral matter on the earth's surface that serves as a natural medium for growth of land plants.

Soil (General Definition)

Porous & bio-chemically modified upper layer of earth surface developed by weathering & decomposition of organic substances.

Father of Indian Soil Science

Leather

Father of Soil Physics

H. Jenny

Father of Soil Conservation

HH Bennett

Father of Soil Testing Technique

ML Troug

Father of Soil Microbiology

SN Winogradsky

Father of Field Experiments

JB Lawes

Father of Ag Chemistry

Justus von Liebig