The soil is the soul of infinite life and quality of our soil and water determines the quality of our food, our body, and our life. Soils are used in buildings, roads, brick kiln, naturopathy etc. Soils are basic requirement of agriculture and provide nutrients, water, air, heat and mechanical support to arable plants to produce the food, fodder, fibre, fuel wood and other plant products for human and animals. Soils naturally treat depression by stimulating serotonin production, which helps in relaxation and happiness. Soils are also vulnerable to numerous threats like water and wind erosion, chemical deterioration, loss of nutrients and organic matter, salinity, alkalinity, acidity, pollution, contamination, change in biological activities, compaction, sealing, crusting, water-logging, aridity, lowering of water table, over grazing, deforestation, landslide, abandoned mines etc. All these urges to start teaching of soil science subject in various colleges, institutes, universities etc. This book is the sequel of my more than 38 years of the teaching, research and extension of knowledge of soil science and agrometeorology. The course content of this    book is based on syllabi of courses of soil science of B.Sc. (Agriculture), B.Sc. (Horticulture), B.Sc. (Forestry) and B.Tech. (Agriculture Engineering) according to the Vth Dean’s Committee of ICAR, New Delhi. This book is also useful for PG students, NET, JRF, SRF, ARS etc. aspirants, extension personnel and policy makers and planners to know the methodology to restore and manage the soils from their vulnerabilities.

Venkatesh Bharadwaj is retired as Professor, Soil Science and Head, Agrometeorology departments from the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pant Nagar, 263145, Uttarakhand after serving for more than 38 years at various capacities. He taught almost all UG and PG courses and guided M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph.D. students of Soil Science and Agrometeorology. Numerous books, chapters in books, research papers, technical and popular articles and radio talks are in his credit besides conducting refresher courses and completing national and international research projects on climate change, greenhouse gas emission and mitigation, heavy metals, long term use of agrochemicals etc. Dr. Bharadwaj is also active as member, expert and advisor in various commissions, boards and universities and presently enjoying his hobbies of Technical writing, editing, gardening and travelling.

1. Introduction

2. Soil in Nature and environment

3. Properties and processes of soils

4. Vulnerability of soils

5. Restoration and management of soil vulnerabilities