Introduction To Pedology And Soil Physics

1. Explain the processes of soil formation and the factors influencing it.
2. Describe the morphological characteristics of different soil types.
3. Classify soils based on various classification systems.
4. Conduct soil surveys and create soil maps.
5. Analyze the properties of Nigerian soils and their suitability for different uses.
6. Develop sustainable soil management practices for Nigerian soils.

13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Soil Origin, Formation, Morphological Characteristics and Components

   • Unit 1: Origin of Soil · 2 hours

     Read Unit 1: Origin of Soil, focusing on the definition of soil and its variations.. Identify the ionic forms of plant macronutrients.. Differentiate between minerals and rocks, noting examples from which soils form..

   • Unit 2: Soil Formation · 2 hours

     Study Unit 2: Soil Formation, paying attention to the methods used by soil-makers.. Understand the roles of heat, cold, water, frost, ice, and biological agents in soil formation.. Differentiate between sand, silt, and clay soil types..

2. Week 2Module 1: Soil Origin, Formation, Morphological Characteristics and Components

   • Unit 3: Soil Morphology · 2 hours

     Review Unit 3: Soil Morphology, focusing on field-observable attributes of soil.. Understand the composition, form, soil structure, and organization.. Examine the use of a petrographic polarizing light microscope in micromorphology..

3. Week 3Module 1: Soil Origin, Formation, Morphological Characteristics and Components

   • Unit 4: Soil Characteristics · 2 hours

     Study Unit 4: Soil Characteristics, focusing on the four main components of soil.. Understand the ideal soil composition (50% solid material, 50% pore space).. Learn about soil parent materials and their categories..

4. Week 4Module 1: Soil Origin, Formation, Morphological Characteristics and Components

   • Unit 5: Soil Components · 2 hours

     Study Unit 5: Soil Components, focusing on mineral and organic components.. Differentiate between primary and secondary minerals.. Understand the concept of soil texture and its importance..

5. Week 5Module 2: Soil- Forming Rocks and Minerals and Weathering of Rocks and Minerals

   • Unit 1: Soil- Forming Rocks · 2 hours

     Read Unit 1: Soil-Forming Rocks, focusing on the formation of soil from weathering rocks and minerals.. Understand the five soil-forming factors and their influence.. Learn about igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks..

6. Week 6Module 2: Soil- Forming Rocks and Minerals and Weathering of Rocks and Minerals

   • Unit 2: Weathering of Rocks and Minerals · 2 hours

     Study Unit 2: Weathering of Rocks and Minerals, focusing on physical and chemical weathering processes.. Understand the role of water in chemical weathering.. Learn about carbonation, hydrolysis, hydration, and oxidation..

7. Week 7Module 2: Soil- Forming Rocks and Minerals and Weathering of Rocks and Minerals

   • Unit 3: Profile Description and Soil Survey · 2 hours

     Study Unit 3: Profile Description and Soil Survey, focusing on soil horizons and their characteristics.. Understand the process of leaching and its effects.. Learn about soil survey components and their importance..

8. Week 8Module 2: Soil- Forming Rocks and Minerals and Weathering of Rocks and Minerals

   • Unit 4: Soil Mapping · 2 hours

     Study Unit 4: Soil Mapping, focusing on the process of classifying soil types.. Understand the use of aerial photography in soil mapping.. Learn about the information contained in a published soil survey..

9. Week 9Module 2: Soil- Forming Rocks and Minerals and Weathering of Rocks and Minerals

   • Unit 5: Soil Classification · 2 hours

     Study Unit 5: Soil Classification, focusing on the systematic categorization of soils.. Understand the different approaches to soil classification.. Learn about the orders in the US classification system..

10. Week 10Module 3: Properties and Management of Nigerian Soils

    • Unit 1: Nigerian Soils · 2 hours

      Read Unit 1: Nigerian Soils, focusing on the types of Nigerian soils and their distribution.. Understand the influence of climate on ecological zones.. Learn about the major rivers and their drainage patterns..

11. Week 11Module 3: Properties and Management of Nigerian Soils

    • Unit 2: Properties of Nigerian Soils · 2 hours

      Study Unit 2: Properties of Nigerian Soils, focusing on physical and chemical properties.. Understand the relationship between vegetation and climate.. Learn about the four main components of soil..

12. Week 12Module 3: Properties and Management of Nigerian Soils

    • Unit 3: Profile Description of Nigerian Soils · 2 hours

      Study Unit 3: Profile Description of Nigerian Soils, focusing on the major ecological regions.. Understand the characteristics of the Coastal Swamp Region.. Learn about the Moist Lowland Region and its vegetation..

13. Week 13Module 3: Properties and Management of Nigerian Soils

    • Unit 4: Classification of Nigerian Soils · 2 hours

      Study Unit 4: Classification of Nigerian Soils, focusing on the USDA Soil Taxonomy and FAO/UNESCO legend.. Understand the hierarchy of categories in the Soil Taxonomy.. Learn about the ten orders and their major characteristics..

    • Unit 5: Management of Nigerian Soils · 2 hours

      Study Unit 5: Management of Nigerian Soils, focusing on maintaining soil fertility.. Understand the importance of crop rotation and green manures.. Learn about the use of farmyard manure and composting..