Academic Program

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE CONTENTS

Diploma Courses

Soils 51 Elementary Soil Fertility                                                      2+1                  Sem. I

Components of soil. Function of soil for plant growth. Rocks and minerals. Weathering. Soil forming factors and processes. Soil profile. Soils of Punjab. Essential nutrients-criteria of essentiality forms present in soil, functions and deficiency symptoms. Soil colloids-properties, types and importance for exchange-CEC and AEC. Organic matter and its mineralization. Soil organisms and their beneficial and harmful roles. Soil reaction, saline and sodic soils and their reclamation. Fertilizers and manures, lime and method of fertilizer application.

Practical: Identification of rocks and minerals. Study of soil profile. Visit to soil testing lab. Determination of pH, EC and organic carbon. Gypsum requirement of sodic soils. Identification of fertilizers. Diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies/symptoms in the field. Collection of soil samples for different purposes. Preparation of farm compost.

Soils 52 Elementary Soil Physics and Conservation              2+1                  Sem. II

Soil as a three phase system-solid particles, water and air; Distribution of phase components in surface and subsoils; Soil texture – its importance and classification; Volume-mass relationships in soils; Soil structure- classification, significance and management; Soil water-retention and storage; Direct and indirect ways to measure soil water content; Plant available water; Soil water transmission characteristics including infiltration; Composition of soil air and its renewal; Soil temperature- thermal properties, diurnal and seasonal variations and management; Soil erosion by water – forms, causes and factor affecting; Mechanism of soil erosion by water and factors affecting it; Erosivity – factors affecting and erosivity indices; Erodibility – factors affecting and erodibility indices; Soil erosion management including gully erosion control. Wind erosion – causes, factors, forms. Wind erosion management including shelterbelts and wind breaks.

Practical: Determination of particle size analysis (soil texture). Dry aggregate size analysis. Determination of soil bulk and particle densities. Determination of soil moisture by neutron scattering technique. Determination of soil moisture status by tensiometery. Determination of soil moisture characteristics. Determination of infiltration rate of soils. Determination of total and air filled pore spaces. Measurement of soil temperature. Determination of per cent surface cover by mulches and crop canopy. Measurement and estimation of runoff. Measurement of soil loss in runoff water.Determination of splash erosion. Visit to soil conservation works

Undergraduate Courses

Soils 303 Biofertilizers and Biopesticides                              2+1      Sem. II

Biofertilizers – introduction, status and scope. Structure and characteristic features of bacterial biofertilizers – Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium and Frankia, cyanobacterial biofertilizers – Anabaena, Nostoc, Hapalosiphon and fungal biofertilizers – AM endomycorrhiza and ectomycorhiza. Nitrogen fixation – free living and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Mechanism of phosphate solubilization and mobilization, K solubilization. Production technology – strain selection, sterilization, growth and fermentation. Mass production of carrier based and liquid biofertilizers. Factors influencing the efficacy of biofertilizers. Application technology for seeds, seedlings, tubers and sets. Storage, shelf life, quality control and marketing of biofertilizers. FCO specifications for quality control of biofertilizers.

Biopesticides-History, concept, importance, scope and potential of biopesticides. Definitions and classification of biopesticides – pathogen, botanical pesticides and biorationales and their uses. Mass production technology of biopesticides. Virulence, pathogenicity and symptoms of entomopathogenic organisms. Methods of application of biopesticides. Quality control of biopesticides. Impediments and limitations in production and use of biopesticides. Registration of biopesticides.

Practical: Isolation, biochemical characterization and purification of Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Rhizobium, P-solubilizers, K-solubilizers and cyanobacteria. Mass multiplication and production of inocula of biofertilizers. Isolation of AM fungi – wet sieving method and sucrose gradient method. Mass production of AM inoculants. Isolation and purification of important biopesticides – Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Metarhyzium and Beauvaria and their production. Techniques of mass production of biopesticides. Equipment in biopesticide production. Field visit to naturally infected cadavers. Identification of entomopathogenic entities in field condition.

Soils 304 Soil, Water and Plant Analysis                                           1+1                     Sem. II

(For students of B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture and  B.Sc (Hons.) Horticulture)

Methods of soil, water and plant sampling and processing for analysis. Renewal of soil air. Methods of estimation of oxygen diffusion rate and redox potential.  Use of radio tracer techniques in soil fertility evaluation and plant nutrient studies.  Soil micro-organisms and their importance. Saline, alkali, calcareous, acidic, waterlogged and sandy soils, their appraisal and management. Mineral composition of horticultural crops. Leaf analysis standards, index tissue, interpretation of leaf analysis values. Rapid tissue tests for plant. Quality of irrigation water. Management of poor quality irrigation water in crop production. Soil and water pollution.

Practical: Collection and preparation of soil, water and plant samples for analysis.  Determination of moisture content and hydraulic conductivity of soil. Determination of pH, electrical conductivity, calcium carbonate, cation exchange capacity and exchangeable cations in soil, and estimation of exchangeable sodium percentage.  Determination of gypsum and lime requirements of soil. Rapid tissue tests to assess nutrient status of plants. Irrigation water quality analysis. Determination of pH and EC in irrigation water samples. Determination of carbonate, bicarbonate, chlorine, boron, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium in soil and irrigation water and estimation of sodium adsorption ratio.

Soils 491 Agro-Industrial Attachment                                   0+4                  Sem. I

Practical:  Fertilizer Industries, Vermicompost Units, Biofertilizer Units.

Soils 492 Experiential Learning in Soil, Plant, Water and Seed Analyses 0+20                    Sem. II

Postgraduate Courses

M.Sc courses

Ph.D. courses

Soil-501 Soil Physics                                                               2+1                  Sem. I

Unit I

Basic principles of physics applied to soils, soil as a three-phase system.

Unit II

Soil texture, textural classes, mechanical analysis, specific surface.

Unit III

Soil consistence, dispersion and workability of soils; soil compaction and consolidation. Soil strength; swelling and shrinkage – basic concepts. Alleviation of soil physical constraints for crop production. Soil erosion and edibility.

Unit IV

Soil structure – genesis, types, characterization and management soil structure. Soil aggregation, aggregate stability. Soil tilth, characteristics of good soil tilth. Soil crusting – mechanism, factors affecting and evaluation. Soil conditioners. Puddling, its effect on soil physical properties; clod formation.

Unit V

Soil water: content and potential. Soil water retention, soil-water constants, measurement of soil water content, energy state of soil water, soil water potential. Soil-moisture characteristic curve, hysteresis, measurement of soil-moisture potential.

Unit VI

Water flow in saturated and unsaturated soils. Poiseuille’s law, Darcy’s law, hydraulic conductivity, permeability and fluidity, hydraulic diffusivity, measurement of hydraulic conductivity in saturated and unsaturated soils.

Unit VII

Infiltration, internal drainage and redistribution, evaporation; hydrologic cycle, field water balance. Soil-plant- atmosphere continuum.

Unit VIII

Composition of soil air, renewal of soil air – convective flow and diffusion, measurement of soil aeration, aeration requirement for plant growth, soil air management.

Unit IX

Modes of energy transfer in soils; energy balance, thermal properties of soil; measurement of soil temperature, soil temperature in relation to plant growth, soil temperature management.

Practical

Determination of B.D, P.D and mass volume relationship of soil. Mechanical analysis by hydrometer and international pipette method. Measurement of Atterberg limits. Aggregate analysis – dry and wet. Measurement of soil-water content by different methods. Measurement of soil-water potential by using tensiometer and gypsum blocks. Determination of soil-moisture characteristics curve and computation of pore-size, distribution. Determination of hydraulic conductivity under saturated and unsaturated conditions. Determination of infiltration rate of soil. Determination of aeration porosity and oxygen diffusion rate. Soil temperature measurements by different methods. Estimation of water balance components in bare and cropped fields.

Soil-502 Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Use                                           2+1                  Sem. I

Unit I

Soil fertility and soil productivity, fertility status of major soils group of India. Nutrient source–fertilizers and manures. Criteria of essentiality, Classification, Law of minimum and maximum. Essential plant nutrients – functions and deficiency symptoms. Nutrient uptake, nutrient interactions in soils and plants. Long term effect of manures and fertilizers on soil fertility and crop productivity;

Unit II

Soil and fertilizer nitrogen – sources, forms, immobilization and mineralization, nitrification, denitrification. Biological nitrogen fixation -types, mechanism, microorganisms and factors affecting. Nitrogenous fertilizers and their fate in soils. Management of fertilizer nitrogen in lowland and upland conditions for high fertilizer use efficiency.

Unit III

Soil and fertilizer phosphorus – forms, immobilization, mineralization, reactions in acid and alkali soils. Factors affecting phosphorus availability in soils, phosphatic fertilizers – behaviour in soils and management under field conditions. Potassium – forms, equilibrium in soils and its agricultural significance; mechanism of potassium fixation. Management of potassium fertilizers under field conditions.

Unit IV

Sulphur – source, forms, fertilizers and their behaviour in soils. Role in crops and human health. Calcium and magnesium– factors affecting their availability in soils. Management of sulphur, calcium and magnesium fertilizers.

Unit V

Micronutrients – critical limits in soils and plants, factors affecting their availability and correction of their deficiencies in plants. Role of chelates in nutrient availability.

Unit VI

Common soil test methods for fertilizer recommendations. Quantity–intensity relationships. Soil test crop response correlations and response functions.

Unit VII

Fertilizer use efficiency. Site-specific nutrient management, plant need based nutrient management, integrated nutrient management. Speciality fertilizers concept, need and category. Current status of speciality fertilizers uses in soils and crops of India

Unit VIII

Soil fertility evaluation-biological methods. Soil, plant and tissue tests. Soil quality in relation to sustainable agriculture. Determination of critical limit, DRIS.

Unit IX

Definition and concepts of soil health and soil quality. Long term effects of fertilizers and soil quality.

Practical

Soil and plant sampling and processing for chemical analysis. Determination of soil pH, total and organic carbon in soil. Chemical analysis of soil for total and available nutrients (major and micro). Analysis of plants for essential elements (major and micro).

Soil-503 Soil Chemistry                                                                      2+1                  Sem. I

Unit I

Chemical (elemental) composition of the earth’s crust, soils, rocks and minerals.

Unit II

Elements of equilibrium thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, electrochemistry and chemical kinetics.

Unit III

Soil colloids- inorganic and organic colloids – origin of charge, concept of point of zero-charge (PZC) and its dependence on variable-charge soil components, surface charge characteristics of soils. Diffuse double layer theories of soil colloids, zeta potential, stability, coagulation/flocculation and peptization of soil colloids. Electrometric properties of soil colloids, sorption properties of soil colloids. Soil organic matter – fractionation of soil organic matter and different fractions. Characterization of OM. Clay- organic interactions.

Unit IV

Ion exchange processes in soil.Cation exchange- theories based on law of mass action (Kerr-Vanselow, Gapon equations, hysteresis, Jenny’s concept), adsorption isotherms, Donnan-membrane equilibrium concept, clay-membrane electrodes and ionic activity measurement. Thermodynamics. Statistical mechanics. Anion and ligand exchange –inner sphere and outer-sphere surface complex formation. Fixation of oxyanions, hysteresis in sorption-desorption of oxy-anions and anions. Shift of PZC on ligand exchange, AEC, CEC. Experimental methods to study ion exchange phenomena and practical implications in plant nutrition.

Unit V

Potassium, phosphate and ammonium fixation in soils covering specific and non-specific sorption. Precipitation-dissolution equilibria. Concept of quantity/intensity(Q/I) relationship. Step and constant-rate K. Management aspects.

Unit VI

Chemistry of acid soils. Active and potential acidity. Lime potential, chemistry of acid soils, sub-soil acidity.

Unit VII

Chemistry of salt-affected soils and amendments; soil pH, ECe, ESP, SAR and important relations; soil management and amendments.

Unit VIII

Chemistry and electrochemistry of submerged soils, geochemistry of micronutrients, environmental soil chemistry.

Practical

Preparation of saturation extract, measurement of pH, EC, CO, HCO, Ca, Mg, K and Na, Determination of CEC and AEC of soils, Analysis of equilibrium soil solution for pH, EC, Eh by the use of Eh-pH meter and conductivity meter, Determination of point of zero-charge and associated surface charge characteristics by the serial potentiometric titration method ,Extraction of humic substances, Potentiometric and conductometric titration of soil humic and fulvic acids,(E4/E6) ratio of soil humic and fulvic acids by visible spectrophotometric studies and the Δ(E4/E6) values at two pH values, Adsorption-desorption of phosphate/sulphate by soil using simple adsorption isotherm, Construction of adsorption envelope of soils by using phosphate/fluoride/sulphate and ascertaining the mechanism of the ligand exchange process involved, Determination of titratable acidity of an acid soil by BaCl2-TEA method, Determination of Q/I relationship of potassium, Determination of lime requirement of an acid soil by buffer method, Determination of gypsum requirement of an alkali soil.

Soil-504 Soil Mineralogy, Genesis and Classification                        2+1                  Sem. I

Unit I

Fundamentals of crystallography, space lattice, coordination theory, isomorphism and polymorphism.

Unit II

Classification, structure, chemical composition and properties of clay minerals. Genesis and transformation of crystalline and non-crystalline clay minerals. Identification techniques, amorphous soil constituents and other non-crystalline silicate minerals and their identification. Clay minerals in Indian soils, role of clay minerals in plant nutrition, interaction of clay with humus, pesticides and heavy metals.

Unit III

Factors of soil formation. Soil formation models. Soil forming processes, weathering of rocks and mineral transformations. Soil profile. Weathering sequences of minerals with special reference to Indian soils.

Unit IV

Concept of soil individual. Soil classification systems–historical developments and modern systems of soil classification with special emphasis on soil taxonomy. Soil classification. Soil mineralogy and soil maps–usefulness.

Practical

Separation of sand, silt and clay fraction from soil. Determination of specific surface area and CEC of clay. Identification and quantification of minerals in soil fractions. Morphological properties of soil profile in different land forms. Classification of soils using soil taxonomy.

Soil-505 Soil Erosion and Conservation                                            2+1                  Sem. II

Unit I

History, distribution, identification and description of soil erosion problems in India.

Unit II

Forms of soil erosion. Effects of soil erosion and factors affecting soil erosion. Types and mechanisms of water erosion. Raindrops and soil erosion, rainfall erosivity-estimation as EI30 index and kinetic energy. Factors affecting water erosion. Empirical and quantitative estimation of water erosion; methods of measurement and prediction of runoff; soil losses in relation to soil properties and precipitation.

Unit III

Wind erosion- types, mechanism and factors affecting wind erosion. Extent of problem in the country.

Unit IV

Principles of erosion control, erosion control measures – agronomical and engineering. Erosion control structures – their design and layout.

Unit V

Soil conservation planning. Land capability classification. Soil conservation in special problem areas such as hilly, arid and semi-arid regions, waterlogged and wet lands.

Unit VI

Watershed management – concept, objectives and approach. Water harvesting and recycling. Flood control in watershed management. Socioeconomic aspects of watershed management. Case studies in respect to monitoring and

evaluation of watersheds. Use of remote sensing in assessment and planning of watersheds, sediment measurement.

Practical

Determination of different soil erodibility indices – suspension percentage, dispersion ratio, erosion ratio, clay ratio, clay/moisture equivalent ratio, percolation ratio, raindrop erodibility index. Computation of kinetic energy of falling rain drops.  Computation of rainfall erosivity index (EI30) using rain gauge data. Land capability classification of a watershed. Visits to a watershed.

Soil-506 Soil Biology and Biochemistry                                             2+1                  Sem. II

Unit I

Soil biota, soil microbial ecology, types of organisms in different soils. Soil microbial biomass, microbial interactions, un-culturable soil biota.

Unit II

Microbiology and biochemistry of root-soil interface. Phyllosphere, soil enzymes, origin, activities and importance. Soil characteristics influencing growth and activity of microflora. Root rhizosphere and PGPR.

Unit III

Microbial transformations of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, iron and manganese in soil. Biochemical composition and biodegradation of soil organic matter and crop residues, microbiology and biochemistry of decomposition of carbonaceous and proteinaceous materials. Cycles of important organic nutrients.

Unit IV

Organic wastes and their use for production of biogas and manures. Biotic factors in soil development. Microbial toxins in the soil.

Unit V

Preparation and preservation of farmyard manure, animal manures, rural and urban composts and vermicompost.

Unit VI

Biofertilizers–definition, classification, specifications, method of production and role in crop production. FCO specifications and quality control of biofertilizers.

Unit VII

Biological indicators of soil quality. Bioremediation of contaminated soils. Microbial transformations of heavy metals in soil. Role of soil organisms in pedogenesis–important mechanisms and controlling factors. Soil genomics and bioprospecting. Soil sickness due to biological agents. Xenobiotics. Antibiotic production in soil.

Practical

Determination of soil microbial population. Soil microbial biomass carbon. Elemental composition, fractionation of organic matter and functional groups. Decomposition of organic matter in soil. Soil enzymes. Measurement of important soil microbial processes such as ammonification, nitrification, N₂ fixation, S oxidation, P solubilization and mineralization of other micronutrients.

Soil-507 Radioisotopes in Soil and Plant Studies                   2+0                  Sem. I

Unit I

Atomic structure, radioactivity and units; radioisotopes-properties and Decay principles; nature and properties of nuclear radiations; interaction of nuclear radiations with matter, artificial radioactivity; Storage and handling of radioactive materials, half-life and decay constant, techniques for radioactive measurement in soil and plant sample

Unit II

Principles and use of radiation monitoring instruments-proportional, Geiger Muller counter, solid and liquids cintillation counters; neutron Moisture meter, mass spectrometry, autoradiography; 15 N enrichment by mass spectrophotometery/emission spectrometry

Unit III: Isotopic dilution techniques used in soil and plant research; use of stable isotopes; application of isotopes in studies on organic matter, nutrient transformations, ion transport, rooting pattern; fertilizer use efficiency and cation exchange equilibria, use of 32P/65Zn in determination of A, E and L values of soil; carbon dating.

Unit IV: Doses of radiation exposure, radiation safety aspects regulatory aspects, collection, storage and disposal of radioactive e-wastes

Soil-508 Soil, Water and Air Pollution                                               2+1                  Sem. II

Unit I

Soil, water and air pollution. Problems associated with agriculture, nature and extent.

Unit II

Nature and sources of pollutants–agricultural, industrial, urban wastes, fertilizers and pesticides, acid rains, oil spills etc. Air, water and soil pollutants-their CPC standards and effect on plants, animals and human beings.

Unit III

Sewage and industrial effluents–their composition and effect on soil properties/health, and plant growth and human beings. Soil as sink for waste disposal.

Unit IV

Pesticides–their classification, behaviour in soil and effect on soil microorganisms.

Unit V

Toxic elements– their sources, behaviour in soils. Effect on nutrients Availability. Effect on plant and human health.

Unit VI

Pollution of water resources due to leaching of nutrients and pesticides from soil. Emission of greenhouse gases–carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

Unit VII

Risk assessment of polluted soil. Remediation/amelioration of contaminated soil and water. Remote sensing applications in monitoring and management of soil and water pollution.

Practical

Sampling of sewage waters, sewage sludge, solid/liquid industrial wastes, polluted soils and plants and their processing. Estimation of dissolved and suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological demand (BOD). Measurement of coliform (MPN), nitrate and Ammoniacal nitrogen and phosphorus, heavy metal content in effluents, Heavy metals in contaminated soils and plants, Management of contaminants in soil and plants to safeguard food safety, Air sampling and determination of particulate matter and oxides of sulphur, NO₂ and O₂ conc.; Visit to various industrial sites to study the impact of pollutants on soil and plants.

Soil-509 Remote Sensing and GIS Technique for Soil, Water and Crop Studies

2+1                  Sem. I

Unit I

Introduction and history of remote sensing. Sources, propagation of radiations in atmosphere, interactions with matter. Basic concepts and principles, hardware and software requirements. Common terminologies of geographic information system (GIS).

Unit II

Sensor systems-camera, microwave radiometers and scanners. Fundamentals of aerial photographs and multispectral imaging, hyperspectral imaging, thermal imaging. Image processing and interpretations.

Unit III

Application of remote sensing techniques-land use soil surveys, crop stress and yield forecasting. Prioritization in watershed and drought management, waste land identification and management.

Unit IV

Significance and sources of the spatial and temporal variability in soils. Variability in relation to size of sampling. Classical and geo-statistical techniques of evolution of soil variability.

Unit V

Applications of GIS for water resources, agriculture, precision farming, disaster management, e governance, Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS).

Practical

Familiarization with different remote sensing equipments and data products. Interpretation of aerial photographs and satellite data for mapping of land resources. Analysis of variability of different soil properties with classical and geostatistical techniques. Creation of data files in a database programme. Use of GIS for soil spatial simulation and analysis. To enable the students to conduct soil survey and interpret soil survey reports in terms of land use planning.

Soil-510 Analytical Technique and Instrumental Methods in Soil and Plant Analysis  

0+2                  Sem. I

Practical

Preparation of solutions for standard curves. Indicators and standard solutions for acid base. Oxidation reduction and complexometric titration. Soil, water and plant sampling techniques, their processing and handling. Determination of nutrient potentials and potential buffering capacities of soils for phosphorus and potassium. Estimation of phosphorus, ammonium and potassium fixation capacities of soils. Principles of visible, ultraviolet and infra-red spectrophotometery. Atomic absorption, flame-photometry, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry; chromatographic techniques, mass spectrometry and X-ray defractrometery. Identification of minerals by X-ray by different methods. CHNS analyzer. Electrochemical titration of clays. Estimation of exchangeable cations (Na, Ca, Mg, K). Estimation of root cation exchange capacity. Wet digestion/fusion/extraction of soil with aquaregia with soil for elemental analysis. Triacid/di-acid digestion of plant samples. Determination of available and total nutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B, Mo) in soils. Determination of total nutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B, Mo) in plants. Drawing normalized exchange isotherms. Measurement of redox potential.

Soil-511 Management of Problem Soils and Water               2+1                  Sem. I

Unit I

Area and distribution of problem soils–acidic, saline, sodic and physically degraded soils. Origin and basic concept of problematic soils and factors responsible.

Unit II

Morphological features of saline, sodic and saline-sodic soils. Characterization of salt-affected soils-soluble salts, ESP, pH. Physical, chemical and microbiological properties.

Unit III

Management of salt-affected soils. Salt tolerance of crops-mechanism and ratings. Salt stress meaning and its effect on crop growth. Monitoring of soil salinity in the field. Management principles for sandy, clayey, red lateritic and dryland soils.

Unit IV

Acid soils-nature of soil acidity. Sources of soil acidity. Effect on plant growth. Lime requirement of acid soils. Management of acid soils. Biological sickness of soils and its management.

Unit V

Quality of irrigation water. Management of brackish water for irrigation. Salt balance under irrigation. Characterization of brackish waters, area and extent, relationship in water use and

quality.

Unit VI

Agronomic practices in relation to problematic soils. Cropping pattern for utilizing poor quality ground waters.

Practical

Characterization of acid, acid sulfate, salt-affected and calcareous soils. Determination of cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺) in groundwater and soil samples. Determination of anions (Cl^–, SO₄^—, CO₃– and HCO₃^– in ground waters and soil samples. Lime and gypsum requirements of acid and sodic soils.

Soil-512 Land Degradation and Restoration                         1+0                  Sem. II

Unit I

Type, factors and processes of soil/land degradation and its impact on soil productivity including soil fauna, biodegradation and environment.

Unit II

Land restoration and conservation techniques-erosion control, reclamation of salt-affected soils. Mine land reclamation. Afforestation. Organic products.

Unit III

Extent, diagnosis and mapping of land degradation by conventional and modern RS-GIS tools. Monitoring land degradation by fast assessment, modern tools, land use policy, incentives and participatory approach for reversing land degradation. Global issues for twenty first century.

Soil-513 Soil Survey and Land Use Planning                         2+0                  Sem. II

Unit I

Soil survey and its types. Soil survey techniques- conventional and modern. Soil series–characterization and procedure for establishing soil series. Benchmark soils and soil correlations. Soil survey interpretations. Thematic soil maps, cartography, mapping units, techniques for generation of soil maps. Application of remote sensing and GIS in soil survey and mapping of major soil group of India.

Unit II

Landform–soil relationship. Major soil groups of India with special reference to respective states. Land capability classification and land irrigability classification. Land evaluation and land use type (LUT)– concept and application. Approaches for managing soils and landscapes in the framework of agro-ecosystem.

Unit III

Concept and techniques of land use planning; factors governing present landuse. Land evaluation methods and soil-site suitability evaluation for different crops. Land capability classification and constraints in application.

Unit IV

Agro-ecological regions/sub-regions of India and their characteristics in relation to crop production. Status of LUP in India.

Soil-514 Introduction to Nanotechnology                                          2+1                  Sem. II

Theory

Unit I

General introduction. Basics of quantum mechanics. Harmonic oscillator. Magnetic phenomena. Band structure in solids. Mössbauer effect and spectroscopy. Optical phenomena. Bond in solids. Anisotropy.

Unit II

Nanostructures. Growth of compound semiconductors. Superlattices, self-assembled quantum dots, nano-particles, nanotubes and nanowires, fullerenes (buckballs, graphene). Nano fabrication and nano-patterning. Optical, X-ray, and electron beam lithography, self-assembled organic layers. Process of synthesis of nanopowders. Electrodeposition. Important nano materials.

Unit III

Mechanical properties. Magnetic properties. Electrical properties. Electronic conduction with nano particles.  Investigating and manipulating materials in the nano scale. Electron microscopy.

Unit IV

Nano-biology. Interaction between biomolecules and nano-particle surface. Different types of inorganic materials used for the synthesis of hybrid nano-bioassemblies. Application of nano in agriculture. Current status of nanobiotechnology. Future perspectives of nanobiology. Nanosensors.

Practical

Sources of nanoparticles and its preparation by different approaches. Electrospinning and its use in agriculture and allied sector. Equipments used in Nanotechnology: its principle and uses. Acquaintances with different equipments used in nanotechnology. Synthesis and characterization of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles. Mode of action of ZnO nanoparticles against soil borne diseases. Study on efficacy of ZnO nanoparticles as seed treating agent on plant growth parameters

Soil-515: System Approaches in Soil and Crop Studies                     2+0                  Sem. I

Unit I

Systems concepts- definitions, general characteristics, general systems theory. Systems – thinking, dynamics, behaviour and study.

Unit II

Model – definition and types. Mathematical models and their types.

Unit III

Modelling-concepts, objectives, processes. Abstraction techniques. Simulation models, their verification and validation, calibration.

Unit IV

Representation of continuous systems simulation models- procedural and declarative. Simulation- meaning and threats, experiment, design and analysis.

Unit V

Application of simulation models in understanding system behaviour. Optimizing system performance. Evolution of policy options under different soil, water, and nutrient, climatic and cultural conditions. Decision support system. Use of simulation models in decision support system.

Soil-591: Seminar                                                                   1+0

Soil-599: Master’s Research                                                  0+30                                                   

Ph.D. courses

Soil-601 Recent Trends in Soil Physics                                              2+0                  Sem. II

Unit I

Soil-water interactions, soil water potential, free energy and thermodynamic basis of potential concept, chemical potential of soil water and entropy of the system, soil-plant-atmospheric continuum (SPAC).

Unit II

Fundamentals of fluid flow, Poiseuilles law, Laplace’s equation, Darcy’s law in saturated and unsaturated flows. Development of differential equations in saturated and unsaturated water flow, capillary conductivity and diffusivity. Limitations of Darcy’s law. Numerical solution for one dimensional water flow.

Unit III

Theories of horizontal and vertical infiltration under different boundary conditions.

Unit IV

Movement of salts in soils, models for miscible-immiscible displacement, diffusion, mass flow and dispersion of solutes and their solutions through differential equations. Break-through curves.

Unit V

Soil air and aeration, mass flow and diffusion processes. Thermal properties of soil, heat Transfer in soils, differential equation of heat flow, measurement of thermal conductivity of soil. Soil, Plant, Water relations- Plant uptake of soil moisture, water balance and energy balance in the field. Irrigation and water use efficiency.

Unit VI

Soil crust and clod formation. Structural management of puddled rice soils. Soil conditioning-concept, soils conditioners-types, characteristics, working principles, significance in agriculture.

Unit VII

Solar and terrestrial radiation measurement, dissipation and distribution in soil crops systems. Prediction of evapo-transpiration using aerodynamic and canopy temperature based models. Canopy temperature and leaf diffusion resistance in relation to plant water deficit. Evaluation of soil and plant water status using infrared thermometer.

Soil-602 Modern Concept in Soil Fertility                                         2+0                  Sem. II

Unit I

Nutrient availability-concept and relationships, modern concepts of nutrients availability. Soil colloids and nutrient availability. Soil amendments and availability maintenance of nutrients, soil solution and plant growth. Nutrient response functions and availability indices.

Unit II

Nutrient movement in soils. Nutrient absorption by plants. Mechanistic approach to nutrient supply and uptake by plants. Models for transformation and movement of major micronutrients in soils.

Unit III

Chemical equilibria (including solid-solution equilbria) involving nutrient ions in soils, particularly in submerged soils. Kinetic studies of nutrients in soils

Unit IV

Modern concepts of fertilizer evaluation, nutrient use efficiency and nutrient budgeting.

Unit V

Modern concepts in fertilizer application; soil fertility evaluation techniques. Role of soil tests in fertilizer use recommendations. Site specific nutrient management for precision agriculture.

Unit VI

Monitoring physical, chemical and biological changes in soils. Permanent manorial trials and long-term fertilizer experiments. Soil productivity under long-term intensive- cropping. Direct, residual and cumulative effect of fertilizer use.

Unit VII

Carbon-a nutrient central to soil fertility; carbon cycle in nature, stocks, pools and fluxes. Greenhouse effect and climate change. Carbon sequestration vis-à-vis sustenance of soil quality and crop productivity.

Soil-603 Physical Chemistry of Soil                                       2+0                 Sem. II

Unit I

Colloidal chemistry of inorganic and organic components of soils– their formation, clay organic interaction.

Unit II

Predictive approaches for cation exchange equilibria thermodynamics, empirical and diffuse double layer theory (DDL)- relationships among different selectivity coefficients. Structure and properties of diffuse double layer.

Unit III

Thermodynamics of nutrient transformations in soils. Climate change effects on mineralogy and surface properties of variable charge. Cationic and anionic exchange and their models, molecular interaction.

Unit IV

Adsorption/desorption isotherms Langmuir adsorption isotherm, Freundlich adsorption isotherm, normalized exchange isotherm, BET equation. Selective and non –selective adsorption of ions on inorganic surfaces and organic surfaces of soil materials (citation of utility in agricultural system).

Unit V

Common solubility equilibria-carbonates, iron oxide and hydroxides, aluminium silicate, aluminium phosphate; electrochemical properties of clays (citation of examples from agricultural use).

Soil-604 Soil Genesis and Micromorphology                                     2+0                  Sem. II

Unit I

Pedogenic evolution of soils. Soil composition and characterization.

Unit II

Weathering and soil formation–factors and pedogenic processes. Stability and weathering sequences of minerals.

Unit III

Assessment of soil profile development by mineralogical and chemical analysis.

Unit IV

Micro-pedological features of soils–their structure, fabric analysis, role in genesis and classification.

Soil-605 Biochemistry of Soil Organic Matter                                  2+0                  Sem. I

Unit I

Organic matter in soils and its maintenance. Role of organic matter in soil productivity. Humus levels in soils. Current thinking on the maintenance of organic matter in the soils. Carbon retention and sequestration.

Unit II

Biochemistry of the humus formation; different pathways for humus synthesis in soil. Soil carbohydrates and lipids.

Unit III

Nutrient transformation–N, P, S. Trace metal interaction with humic substances, significance of chelation reactions in soils.

Unit IV

Reactive functional groups of humic substances, adsorption of organic compounds by clay and role of organic substances in pedogenic soil aggregation processes. Clay-organic matter complexes.

Unit V

Humus-pesticide interactions in soil, mechanisms.

Soil-606 Soil Resource Management                                                 3+0                  Sem. I

Unit I

Relevance of soil management to sustainable agriculture. Soil as a natural resource for biomass production, filtering, buffering, transportation of solutes, gene reserves, and geogenic source of raw materials. Soil as a source and sink of greenhouse gases.

Unit II

Concept of sustainable land management (SLM). Spatial variability of soils. Soil quality and food security. Soil quality indices, conservation agriculture in relation to soil quality. Soil resilience and resistance.

Unit III

Types, factors and causes of land degradation and desertification. GLASOD classification. Application of GIS and remote sensing in monitoring, diagnosis and mapping land degradation. History, distribution, identification and description of soil erosion problems in India. Forms of soil erosion. Impact of soil erosion-onsite and off-site effects. Strategies for erosion control and conservation. Soil conservation in hilly, arid, semiarid, coastal and diara lands. Management of forest, peat and muck soils.

Unit IV

Soil conservation planning. Land capability classification. Soil conservation in special problem are as such as hilly, arid and semiarid regions, waterlogged and wetlands. Land restoration and conservation techniques–erosion control, reclamation of salt affected soils. Mine land reclamation, afforestation, organic products, soil fauna and biodegradation.

Unit V

Watershed management-concept, objectives and approach. Water harvesting and recycling. Flood control in watershed management. Socio-economic aspects of watershed management. Case studies in respect to monitoring and evaluation of watersheds.

Unit VI

Agro-ecological regions of India. Potentials and constraints of soils of different regions. Land evaluation and rationalizing land use. Decision support system with relation to land management. National and international soil policy considerations.

Soil-607 Modelling of Soil Plant System                                            2+0                        Sem. I

Unit I

Introduction, terms and definitions. Classification of models. Taylor series. Numerical methods of differentiation and integration.

Unit II

High level computer language: FORTRAN-its commands and usage. Testing and evaluation of model.

Unit III

Description of spatially homogeneous models. K transformation model. Nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in soil.

Unit IV

Spatially heterogeneous models. Equation of continuity. Simulation of water flow through soil. Explicit and Explicit-Implicit method. Simulation of solute movement through soil with variable moisture flux by explicit-implicit method.

Unit V

Nutrient uptake model: Integration of nutrient movement in soil (mass flow and diffusion) and uptake by plants (Michaelis-Menten kinetics). Nutrient uptake model: Solubility and free ion activity model.

Soil-608 Clay Mineralogy                                                                  2+1                  Sem. I

Unit I

Definition and concepts of clays and clay minerals. Fundamentals of crystallography – unit cell, external characteristics of crystals, crystallographic notations, crystal systems.

Unit II

Structures and classification of silicate minerals, basics of phyllosilicates, laws governing structural characteristics of phyllosilicates, Goldschmitdt’s laws – Laws I and Law II. Classification of Phyllosilicates.

Unit III

Kaolonite group of minerals, Dioctahedral kaolins and Trioctahedral kaolins.

Unit IV

Smectites, properties of smectites, reference models of structure, principal types based on Hofmann-Marshal-Hendricks (H-M-H) models, occurrence of smectites, transformation and formation in soils.

Unit V

Micas: occurrence and origin in soils, polytypes of micas, structure and formation of muscovites and illite.

Unit VI

Vermicullites: structure, occurrence in soils, formation, relation between vermiculites and montmorillonite.

Unit VII

Chlorite: occurrence and structure of chlorites, “swelling chlorites”, formation of chlorite.

Unit VIII

Non-crystalline clays (amorphous materials), subgroups and chemical composition, morphology and structure, physico-chemical properties, influence of non-crystalline clays on soil properties.

Unit IX

Interstratified clay minerals, occurrence and formation in soils, regularly interstratified and partially random interstratified minerals.

Unit X

Genesis and transformation of clay minerals, Generalized conditions for formation and persistence of common clay-size minerals in soils.

Unit XI

Surface chemistry of clay minerals, clay-organic complexes, nano clay mineralogy.

Unit XII

Clay minerals in different soil orders, role of clay minerals in soil fertility management.

Practical

Separation of clay for mineralogical study. X-ray diffraction analysis of clay. Selective dissolution of clay minerals.IR, DTA and SEM of clay minerals. Identification and quantification of clay minerals. Determination of surface charge of clay minerals. Potentiometric titration of clay minerals.

Soil-609: Recent Trends in Soil Microbial Biodiversity                                2+1      Sem. I

Unit I

Microbial evaluation and biodiversity. Microbial communities in ecosystems. New insights in below ground diverse of plant performance.

Unit II

Qualitative ecology of microorganisms. Biomass and activities.

Unit III

Nitrogen fixing organisms. Trends in diversity of N fixing organisms. Molecular approaches in characterizing N fixing microorganisms.

Unit IV

Serology and molecular characterization, ecological aspects of bio determination, soil waste and water management.

Unit V

Biodegradability, testing and monitoring of the bioremediation of xerobiotic pollutants and bacterial fertilizers.

Practical

Determination of soil microbes using classical techniques. Determination of soil microbial diversity using molecular techniques. Estimation of soil microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Estimation of key soil enzyme activities. Community level physiological profiling of microbial diversity.

Soil-691: Seminar-I                                                                            1+0

Soil-692: Seminar -II                                                                          1+0

Soil-699: Ph.D. Research                                                                   0+75