Goals and Objectives

To understand how and why different soils behave and perform differently. To apply understanding of soil processes to predict soil behavior and performance.

To be able to make environmentally and economically sound soil management decisions. To be able to predict soil behavior and field preformance.

None

CHEM 151 or CHEM 171

The Nature & Properties of Soils, 13th Edition, 2003, by Nyle C. Brady and Ray R. Weil.

You will also be provided with additional reading material not covered in the text.

None

None

A field trip to study the different soil types on Oahu.

The lectures will cover: 

Origin of Soils  


Soil Chemistry and Testing


Soil Composition and Minerals


Soil Physical Properties


Nutrients: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Micro-nutrients


Nutrient Management


Soil Water


Soil Temperature


Soil Air


Soil Organisms


Soil Microbial Processes


Plant-Soil Microorganisms Interactions


Soil Classification


Soil Information Systems and Sources

Laboratory include:

Field Tour


Soil Acidity and Liming


Rocks and Minerals


Soil Density, Texture


Greenhouse Experiment


Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms


Water Potential and Content


Soil Microorganisms.


Soil Survey Reports


Soil testing

To help you focus on topics, you will be given homework assignments every Friday based on the following week’s reading and lecture topics. Homework will be due that following Friday.

There will be two midterms and a final exam. The midterm exams will cover material for which you have not been previously tested. The final examination will test your overall understanding of soil science.

There is one lab report collected for grading. This report is on the outcome of a greenhouse soil fertility experiment. The report should include (1) research objectives, (2) review of literature, (3) materials and methods, (4) results and discussion, and (5) conclusions.

Jonathan Deenik