Explore how soils form, feed plants, and support farms.
This clear, practical introduction explains the essential ideas about soils, their origin, and how they influence crop growth and farm prosperity.
This edition traces soils back to their parent rocks, explains the physical and chemical properties that govern fertility, and shows how micro-organisms and humus quietly power plant nutrition. It aims to give readers a solid, readable foundation for understanding agricultural soils in the British Isles and beyond, with an eye toward practical farming.
- The origin of soils: local, transported, and the link between rock and soil
- How humus and micro-organisms affect fertility and nutrient availability
- Water in soils: holding capacity, drainage, and its impact on crops
- Real-world connections between soil science and field management
Ideal for readers of agricultural science, farming practice, and anyone curious about how the land supports crops.