Introductory Soil Science Laboratory Manual

Robert G. Palmer is Manager of Agronomy Service Support at Pioneer Hi-Bred International in Tipton, Indiana. His publications include professional articles in the area of soil management and conservation, four previous versions of this manual, and crop managament and other guides developed for use by agronomists in the field. Frederick R. Troeh is Professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University where he has taught since 1963. His publications include, professional journal articles in the area of soil science, four previous versions of this manual, several versions of a laboratory manual for the course in soil fertility, three editons of Soils and Soil Fertility, a textbook for introductory soils course, and two editions of Soil and Water Conservation, a textbook for the course in soilconservation.

"A good introductory soils lab manual. It will be an important reference for teachers and students in introductory soils."--Robert Darmody, University of Illinois"I see a few exercises that I am not currently doing, which might be useful. I also see some useful modifications to the way I am currently doing some labs."--James O'Rourke, Chadron State College"An excellent lab manual!"--Robert Sorensen, University of Nebraska"Comprehensive and easy to use. It focuses on important concepts."--Robert Graham, University of California at Riverside"Palmer and Troeh have provided a broad and brief manual for soils laboratory, introducing students to the technical aspects of investigating soils and soil properties. A good footing for all students of the environment."--Rick Williams, Ferrum College"A good introductory soils lab manual. It will be an important reference for teachers and students in introductory soils."--Robert Darmody, University of Illinois"I see a few exercises that I am not currently doing, which might be useful. I also see some useful modifications to the way I am currently doing some labs."--James O'Rourke, Chadron State College"An excellent lab manual!"--Robert Sorensen, University of Nebraska"Comprehensive and easy to use. It focuses on important concepts."--Robert Graham, University of California at Riverside"Palmer and Troeh have provided a broad and brief manual for soils laboratory, introducing students to the technical aspects of investigating soils and soil properties. A good footing for all students of the environment."--Rick Williams, Ferrum College"Practical, to-the-point, covering sufficient material."--A.D.Owings, Southeastern Louisiana University"Excellent manual!"--Jim Shinn, Joliet Junior College"Well organized and thorough..."--Steve Mullany, Santa Rosa Junior College"A well-written laboratory manual!"--Robert Tonbloch, California Polytechnic-Pomona"A good laboratory manual for introductory soils instruction....I liked the chance to choose several levels of accuracy and difficulty in measuring soil texture."--David Munn, Ohio State University"An excellent lab manual for basic soil science....The questions at the end of each lab enhance the comprehension of the subject matter. A must-have manual for all soil scientists that teach a lab course."--Asmare Atalay, University of Oklahoma"The materials included give substantial meaning to otherwise abstract topics." -- Bulletin of the International Society of Soil Science

• Introduction ; 1. Soil survey reports and land descriptions ; 2. Soil parent materials ; 3. Soil texture ; 4. Soil structure ; 5. Soil water ; 6. Soils and landscapes ; 7. Soil profile characteristics ; 8. Soil biology ; 9. Soil organic matter ; 10. Soil chemistry ; 11. Soil testng and soil fertility ; 12. Nitrogen and soil nitrates ; 13. Soil conservation ; 14. Materials required for each exercise ; 15. Supplemental reading ; 16. Extra worksheets