Principles of Soil Physics

Rattan Lal, Manoj K. Shukla0824753240, 9780824753245, 9780203021231

Principles of Soil Physics examines the impact of the physical, mechanical, and hydrological properties and processes of soil on agricultural production, the environment, and sustainable use of natural resources. The text incorporates valuable assessment methods, graphs, problem sets, and tables from recent studies performed around the globe and offers an abundance of tables, photographs, and easy-to-follow equations in every chapter.
The book discusses the consequences of soil degradation, such as erosion, inhibited root development, and poor aeration. It begins by defining soil physics, soil mechanics, textural properties, and packing arrangements . The text continues to discuss the theoretical and practical aspects of soil structure and explain the significance and measurement of bulk density, porosity, and compaction.
The authors proceed to clarify soil hydrology topics including hydrologic cycle, water movement, infiltration, modeling, soil evaporation, and solute transport processes. They address the impact of soil temperature on crop growth, soil aeration, and the processes that lead to the emission of greenhouse gases. The final chapters examine the physical properties of gravelly soils and water movement in frozen, saline, and water-repellant soils.
Reader-friendly and up-to-date, Principles of Soil Physics provides unparalleled coverage of issues related to soil physics, structure, hydrology, aeration, temperature, and analysis and presents practical techniques for maintaining soil quality to ultimately preserve its sustainability.

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Table of contents :
Book Cover……Page 1
Half-Title……Page 2
Title……Page 10
Copyright……Page 11
Preface……Page 12
Contents……Page 15
1. Importance of Soil Physics……Page 18
2. Basic Definitions and Concepts: Soil Components and Phases……Page 30
3. Soil Solids……Page 46
4. Soil Structure……Page 103
5. Porosity……Page 157
6. Manifestations of Soil Structure……Page 170
7. Soil Strength and Compaction……Page 192
8. Soil Rheology and Plasticity……Page 231
9. Water……Page 251
10. Soil’s Moisture Content……Page 285
11. Soils Moisture Potential……Page 316
12. Water Flow in Saturated Soils……Page 348
13. Water Flow in Unsaturated Soils……Page 370
14. Water Infiltration in Soil……Page 393
15. Soil Water Evaporation……Page 426
16. Solute Transport……Page 450
17. Soil Temperature and Heat Flow in Soil……Page 492
18. Soil Air and Aeration……Page 532
19. Physical Properties of Gravelly Soils……Page 571
20. Freezing and Thawing Effects, Swelling Soils, and Other Special Problems……Page 593
Appendix A The Greek Alphabet……Page 630
Appendix B Mathematical Signs and Symbols……Page 631
Appendix C Prefixes for SI Units……Page 632
Appendix D Values of Some Numbers……Page 633
Appendix E SI Derived Units and Their Abbreviations……Page 634
Appendix F Unit Conversion Factors……Page 635
Appendix G Unit Conversions (Equivalents)……Page 637
Appendix H Conversion Factors for Non-SI Units……Page 639
Appendix I Conversion Among Units of Soil Water Potential……Page 640
Appendix J Surface Tension of Water Against Air……Page 641
Appendix K Density of Water from Air……Page 642
Appendix L The Viscosity of Water 0°C to 100°C……Page 644
Appendix M Effect of Temperature of Vapor Pressure, Density of Water Vapor in Saturated Air, and Surface Tension of Water……Page 647
Appendix N Osmotic Pressure of Solutions of Sucrose in Water at 20ºC……Page 648
Appendix O Constant Humidity……Page 649
Appendix P Some Common Algebraic Functions……Page 653
Index……Page 655