AAA 3201: SOIL FORMATION AND CLASSIFICATION (45 LH)

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

To enable the   learner to understand the soil formation process and relate this to the physical properties and classification.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course the learner should be able to:

1. Describe the origin and the formation of soil
2. Explain the soil profile and its relationship to crop production
3. Determine the morphology and physical features of the soil
4. Classify soils.

COURSE CONTENT

Soil: definition of soil, definition of soil profile, soil profile development. Soil genesis: Introductory geology, weathering processes, soil formation, soil morphology. Soil classification: systems used; World Reference Base for soil classification (WRB), FAO and USDA systems. Soil physics: Soil structure, soil texture. Soil water: content, potentials, movement. Soil temperature. Soil aeration.