Course description:

1.   Introduction to soil science, historical evolution, definitions. Soil texture, soil particles, textural classes and their effect on chemical and physical characteristics.

2.   Soil mineralogy, primary and secondary clay minerals, structure, physical and chemical properties, weathering, iron oxides. Chemical properties of soils, double layer, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, acidity and pH, reclamation of acid soils.

3.   Soil organic matter, composition, chemical characteristics.

4.   Soil physical properties, structure, porosity, soil temperature.

5.   Morphological properties, soil profile, soil colour, soil description, diagnostic horizons, soil classification, major soil orders in Greece, mapping and description of major soil groups.

Teaching aids:Notes

Examination: Written