Elements of the Nature and Properties of Soils

by Brady, Nyle C.; Weil, Ray R.

• ISBN13: 9780130144973
• ISBN10: 0130144975
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-10-01
• Publisher: PRENTICE HALL

Summary

For lower-level undergraduate courses in Introduction to Soils and Fundamentals of Soil Science. This text opens students' eyes to the fascinating and important world of soils, and the principles that can be used to minimize the degradation and destruction of one of our most important natural resources. Concentrating on essentials, this edition is a more concise version of its parent text,The Nature and Properties of Soils, maintaining its high standards of rigor and readability, and its priority of explaining this science in a manner relevant to many fields of study. It provides a fundamental knowledge that is a prerequisite to meeting the many natural-resource challenges awaiting humanity in the 21st century.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	xiii
1 THE SOILS AROUND US	1	(28)
1.1 Functions of Soils in Our Ecosystem	2	(1)
1.2 Medium for Plant Growth	3	(3)
1.3 Regulator of Water Supplies	6	(1)
1.4 Recycler of Raw Materials	7	(1)
1.5 Habitat for Soil Organisms	7	(1)
1.6 Engineering Medium	8	(1)
1.7 Soil as a Natural Body	9	(2)
1.8 The Soil Profile and Its Layers (Horizons)	11	(2)
1.9 Topsoil and Subsoil	13	(3)
1.10 Soil: The Interface of Air, Minerals, Water, and Life	16	(1)
1.11 Mineral (Inorganic) Constituents of Soils	16	(2)
1.12 Soil Organic Matter	18	(2)
1.13 Soil Water: A Dynamic Solution	20	(2)
1.14 Soil Air: A Changing Mixture of Gases	22	(1)
1.15 Interaction of Four Components to Supply Plant Nutrients	22	(2)
1.16 Nutrient Uptake by Plant Roots	24	(2)
1.17 Soil Quality, Degradation, and Resilience	26	(1)
1.18 Conclusion	27	(1)
Study Questions	27	(1)
Reference	28	(1)
2 FORMATION OF SOILS FROM PARENT MATERIALS	29	(30)
2.1 Weathering of Rocks and Minerals	29	(2)
2.2 Physical Weathering (Disintegration)	31	(2)
2.3 Chemical Weathering (Decomposition)	33	(1)
2.4 Factors Influencing Soil Formation	34	(1)
2.5 Parent Materials	35	(1)
2.6 Residual Parent Material	35	(1)
2.7 Colluvial Debris	36	(1)
2.8 Alluvial Stream Deposits	37	(1)
2.9 Marine Sediments	38	(2)
2.10 Parent Materials Transported by Glacial Ice and Meltwaters	40	(2)
2.11 Parent Materials Transported by Wind	42	(1)
2.12 Organic Deposits	43	(2)
2.13 Climate	45	(2)
2.14 Biota: Living Organisms	47	(3)
2.15 Topography	50	(1)
2.16 Time	51	(1)
2.17 Soil Formation in Action	52	(3)
2.18 The Soil Profile	55	(2)
2.19 Conclusion	57	(1)
Study Questions	58	(1)
References	58	(1)
3 SOIL CLASSIFICATION	59	(36)
3.1 Concept of Individual Soils	60	(1)
3.2 Comprehensive Classification System: Soil Taxonomy	60	(5)
3.3 Categories and Nomenclature of Soil Taxonomy	65	(1)
3.4 Soil Orders	66	(4)
3.5 Entisols (Recent: Little If Any Profile Development)	70	(1)
3.6 Inceptisols (Few Diagnostic Features: Inception of B Horizon)	71	(1)
3.7 Andisols (Volcanic Ash Soils)	71	(1)
3.8 Gelisols (Permafrost and Frost Churning)	72	(2)
3.9 Histosols (Organic Soils without Permafrost)	74	(1)
3.10 Aridisols (Dry Soils)	75	(2)
3.11 Vertisols (Dark, Swelling and Cracking Clays)	77	(2)
3.12 Mollisols (Dark, Soft Soils of Grasslands)	79	(2)
3.13 Alfisols (Argillic or Natric Horizon, Medium to High Bases)	81	(1)
3.14 Ultisols (Argillic Horizon, Low Bases)	82	(1)
3.15 Spodosols (Acid, Sandy, Forest Soils, Low Bases)	83	(1)
3.16 Oxisols (Oxic Horizon, Highly Weathered)	84	(1)
3.17 Lower-Level Categories in Soil Taxonomy	85	(4)
3.18 Soil Surveys and Maps	89	(3)
3.19 Conclusion	92	(1)
Study Questions	93	(1)
References	94	(1)
4 SOIL ARCHITECTURE AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES	95	(36)
4.1 Soil Color	96	(1)
4.2 Soil Texture (Size Distribution of Soil Particles)	97	(3)
4.3 Soil Textural Classes	100	(4)
4.4 Structure of Mineral Soils	104	(2)
4.5 Soil Density	106	(7)
4.6 Pore Space of Mineral Soils	113	(2)
4.7 Formation and Stabilization of Soil Aggregates	115	(6)
4.8 Tillage and Structural Management of Soils	121	(4)
4.9 Soil Properties Relevant to Engineering Uses	125	(4)
4.10 Conclusion	129	(1)
Study Questions	129	(1)
References	130	(1)
5 SOIL WATER: CHARACTERISTICS AND BEHAVIOR	131	(27)
5.1 Structure and Related Properties of Water	132	(2)
5.2 Capillary Fundamentals and Soil Water	134	(1)
5.3 Soil Water Energy Concepts	135	(5)
5.4 Soil Moisture Content and Soil Water Potential	140	(3)
5.5 The Flow of Liquid Water in Soil	143	(3)
5.6 Infiltration and Percolation	146	(4)
5.7 Water Vapor Movement in Soils	150	(1)
5.8 Qualitative Description of Soil Wetness	150	(5)
5.9 Conclusion	155	(1)
Study Questions	156	(1)
References	157	(1)
6 SOIL AND THE HYDROLOGIC CYCLE	158	(36)
6.1 The Global Hydrologic Cycle	159	(1)
6.2 Fate of Precipitation and Irrigation Water	160	(3)
6.3 The Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum	163	(4)
6.4 Efficiency of Water Use	167	(2)
6.5 Control of Evapotranspiration (ET)	169	(1)
6.6 Control of Surface Evaporation (E)	169	(2)
6.7 Percolation-Evaporation Balance	171	(2)
6.8 Percolation and Groundwaters	173	(3)
6.9 Enhancing Soil Drainage	176	(5)
6.10 Septic Tank Drain Fields	181	(4)
6.11 Irrigation Principles and Practices	185	(6)
6.12 Conclusion	191	(1)
Study Questions	192	(1)
References	192	(2)
7 SOIL AERATION AND TEMPERATURE	194	(32)
7.1 Soil Aeration	194	(2)
7.2 Means of Characterizing Soil Aeration	196	(1)
7.3 Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Potential	197	(3)
7.4 Factors Affecting Soil Aeration	200	(2)
7.5 Ecological Effects of Soil Aeration	202	(2)
7.6 Aeration in Relation to Containerized and Ornamental Plants	204	(3)
7.7 Wetlands and Their Poorly Aerated Soils	207	(3)
7.8 Processes Affected by Soil Temperature	210	(4)
7.9 Absorption and Loss of Solar Energy	214	(3)
7.10 Thermal Properties of Soils	217	(4)
7.11 Soil Temperature Control	221	(2)
7.12 Conclusion	223	(1)
Study Questions	224	(1)
References	224	(2)
8 SOIL COLLOIDS: THEIR NATURE AND PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE	226	(26)
8.1 Properties of Soil Colloids	227	(2)
8.2 Adsorbed Cations	229	(1)
8.3 Fundamentals of Layer Silicate Clay Structure	230	(2)
8.4 Mineralogical Organization of Silicate Clays	232	(4)
8.5 Genesis of Soil Colloids	236	(2)
8.6 Sources of Charges on Soil Colloids	238	(3)
8.7 Cation Exchange	241	(1)
8.8 Cation Exchange Capacity	241	(4)
8.9 Availability of Exchangeable Cations as Plant Nutrients	245	(1)
8.10 Anion Exchange	246	(2)
8.11 Soil Colloids and Environmental Quality	248	(1)
8.12 Conclusion	249	(1)
Study Questions	250	(1)
References	251	(1)
9 SOIL ACIDITY, ALKALINITY, AND SALINITY	252	(38)
9.1 Sources of Acidity	253	(3)
9.2 Sources of Alkalinity	256	(2)
9.3 Buffering of Soils	258	(2)
9.4 Variability in Soil pH	260	(4)
9.5 Soil Reaction: Correlations	264	(1)
9.6 Determination of Soil pH	265	(2)
9.7 Methods of Intensifying Soil Acidity	267	(1)
9.8 Decreasing Soil Acidity: Liming Materials	268	(1)
9.9 Reactions of Lime in the Soil	268	(1)
9.10 Lime Requirements: Quantities Needed	269	(2)
9.11 Practical Considerations	271	(2)
9.12 Ameliorating Acidity in Subsoils	273	(1)
9.13 Alkaline and Salt-Affected Soils	273	(1)
9.14 Development of Salt-Affected Soils	274	(1)
9.15 Measuring Salinity and Alkalinity	275	(1)
9.16 Classes of Salt-Affected Soils	276	(3)
9.17 Selective Tolerance of Higher Plants to Saline and Sodic Soils	279	(2)
9.18 Management of Saline and Sodic Soils	281	(2)
9.19 Reclamation of Saline Soils	283	(2)
9.20 Reclamation of Saline-Sodic and Sodic Soils	285	(2)
9.21 Conclusion	287	(1)
Study Questions	288	(1)
References	288	(2)
10 ORGANISMS AND ECOLOGY OF THE SOIL	290	(32)
10.1 The Diversity of Organisms in the Soil	290	(2)
10.2 Organisms in Action	292	(4)
10.3 Organism Abundance, Biomass, and Metabolic Activity	296	(1)
10.4 Earthworms and Termites	297	(4)
10.5 Soil Microanimals	301	(2)
10.6 Roots of Higher Plants	303	(2)
10.7 Soil Algae	305	(1)
10.8 Soil Fungi	306	(4)
10.9 Soil Actinomycetes	310	(2)
10.10 Soil Bacteria	312	(1)
10.11 Conditions Affecting the Growth of Soil Microorganisms	312	(2)
10.12 Beneficial Effects of Soil Organisms	314	(1)
10.13 Soil Organisms and Damage to Higher Plants	315	(2)
10.14 Ecological Relationships Among Soil Organisms	317	(3)
10.15 Conclusion	320	(1)
Study Questions	320	(1)
References	321	(1)
11 SOIL ORGANIC MATTER	322	(35)
11.1 The Global Carbon Cycle	322	(2)
11.2 The Process of Decomposition in Soils	324	(4)
11.3 Factors Controlling Rates of Decomposition and Mineralization	328	(5)
11.4 Humus: Genesis and Nature	333	(2)
11.5 Composts and Composting	335	(3)
11.6 Direct Influences of Organic Matter on Plant Growth	338	(1)
11.7 Influence of Organic Matter on Soil Properties and the Environment	339	(2)
11.8 Management of Amount and Quality of Soil Organic Matter	341	(2)
11.9 Carbon Balance in the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere System	343	(1)
11.10 Factors and Practices Influencing Soil Organic Matter Levels	344	(5)
11.11 Soils and the Greenhouse Effect	349	(3)
11.12 Organic Soils (Histosols)	352	(2)
11.13 Conclusion	354	(1)
Study Questions	355	(1)
References	355	(2)
12 NITROGEN AND SULFUR ECONOMY OF SOILS	357	(34)
12.1 Influence of Nitrogen on Plant Growth and Development	358	(1)
12.2 Origin and Distribution of Nitrogen	358	(1)
12.3 The Nitrogen Cycle	359	(1)
12.4 Immobilization and Mineralization	359	(2)
12.5 Ammonium Fixation by Clay Minerals	361	(1)
12.6 Ammonia Volatilization	361	(1)
12.7 Nitrification	362	(2)
12.8 The Nitrate Leaching Problem	364	(2)
12.9 Gaseous Losses by Denitrification	366	(5)
12.10 Biological Nitrogen Fixation	371	(1)
12.11 Symbiotic Fixation with Legumes	372	(3)
12.12 Symbiotic Fixation with Nonlegumes	375	(2)
12.13 Nonsymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation	377	(1)
12.14 Addition of Nitrogen to Soil in Precipitation	377	(1)
12.15 Reactions of Nitrogen Fertilizers	378	(1)
12.16 Practical Management of Soil Nitrogen in Agriculture	378	(1)
12.17 Importance of Sulfur	379	(2)
12.18 Natural Sources of Sulfur	381	(2)
12.19 The Sulfur Cycle	383	(1)
12.20 Behavior of Sulfur Compounds in Soils	383	(2)
12.21 Sulfur Oxidation and Reduction	385	(1)
12.22 Sulfur Retention and Exchange	386	(1)
12.23 Sulfur and Soil Fertility Maintenance	387	(2)
12.24 Conclusion	389	(1)
Study Questions	389	(1)
References	390	(1)
13 SOIL PHOSPHORUS, POTASSIUM, AND MICRONUTRIENTS	391	(44)
13.1 Role of Phosphorus in Plant Nutrition and Soil Fertility	392	(1)
13.2 Effects of Phosphorus on Environmental Quality	393	(4)
13.3 The Phosphorus Cycle	397	(3)
13.4 Organic Phosphorus in Soils	400	(2)
13.5 Inorganic Phosphorus in Soils	402	(1)
13.6 Solubility of Inorganic Phosphorus in Acid Soils	403	(3)
13.7 Inorganic Phosphorus Availability at High pH Values	406	(1)
13.8 Phosphorus-Fixation Capacity of Soils	406	(4)
13.9 Practical Control of Phosphorus Availability	410	(1)
13.10 Potassium: Nature and Ecological Roles	411	(1)
13.11 Potassium in Plant and Animal Nutrition	411	(1)
13.12 The Potassium Cycle	412	(3)
13.13 The Potassium Problem in Soil Fertility	415	(2)
13.14 Forms and Availability of Potassium in Soils	417	(2)
13.15 Factors Affecting Potassium Fixation in Soils	419	(1)
13.16 Practical Aspects of Potassium Management	420	(1)
13.17 Importance of Micronutrient Elements	421	(1)
13.18 Role of the Micronutrients	422	(1)
13.19 Source of Micronutrients	422	(2)
13.20 Factors Affecting the Availability of Micronutrients	424	(5)
13.21 Need for Nutrient Balance	429	(1)
13.22 Soil Management and Micronutrient Needs	430	(2)
13.23 Conclusion	432	(1)
Study Questions	432	(1)
References	433	(2)
14 PRACTICAL NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT	435	(38)
14.1 Goals of Nutrient Management	435	(3)
14.2 Environmental Quality	438	(3)
14.3 Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Nutrient Cycles	441	(3)
14.4 Recycling Nutrients through Animal Manures	444	(2)
14.5 Storage, Treatment, and Management of Animal Manures	446	(2)
14.6 Industrial and Municipal By-Products	448	(1)
14.7 Sewage Effluent and Sludge	449	(1)
14.8 Practical Utilization of Organic Nutrient Sources	450	(1)
14.9 Inorganic Commercial Fertilizers	451	(6)
14.10 The Concept of the Limiting Factor	457	(2)
14.11 Fertilizer Application Methods	459	(3)
14.12 Timing of Fertilizer Application	462	(1)
14.13 Diagnostic Tools and Methods	462	(1)
14.14 Plant Symptoms and Field Observations	463	(1)
14.15 Plant Analysis and Tissue Testing	463	(1)
14.16 Soil Analysis	463	(5)
14.17 Site-Specific Nutrient Management	468	(1)
14.18 Broader Aspects of Fertilizer Practice	469	(1)
14.19 Conclusion	470	(1)
Study Questions	471	(1)
References	471	(2)
15 SOIL EROSION AND ITS CONTROL	473	(38)
15.1 Significance of Soil Erosion and Land Degradation	474	(2)
15.2 On-Site and Off-Site Effects of Accelerated Soil Erosion	476	(4)
15.3 Mechanics of Water Erosion	480	(2)
15.4 Factors Affecting Erosion by Water	482	(7)
15.5 Conservation Tillage	489	(4)
15.6 Control of Accelerated Erosion on Range and Forest Land	493	(2)
15.7 Erosion and Sediment Control on Construction Sites	495	(4)
15.8 Wind Erosion and Its Control	499	(4)
15.9 Land Capability Classification as a Guide to Conservation	503	(3)
15.10 Progress in Soil Conservation	506	(1)
15.11 Conclusion	507	(1)
Study Questions	508	(1)
References	509	(2)
APPENDIX A U.S. SOIL TAXONOMY SUBORDER MAP AND LEGEND	511	(4)
APPENDIX B CANADIAN AND FAO SOIL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS	515	(4)
APPENDIX C SI UNIT CONVERSION FACTORS AND PERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS	519	(4)
GLOSSARY	523	(24)
INDEX	547