Soil Chemistry and Plant Nutrients

This book comprises fourteen chapters that explore the chemical and elemental makeup of the Earth and its crust, as well as the rocks and minerals that are present. The book also delves into the processes of weathering that result in soil formation, soil reactions and their buffering capacity, and the organic matter present in soil. The book further discusses inorganic soil colloids, such as silicate clays, and essential plant nutrients, including their sources and transformation chemistry in soil. Additionally, the book covers organic manures, chemical fertilizers, and biofertilizers, as well as ion exchange reactions and chemical equilibria in soil. The book also examines soil biology and the related soil processes, as well as soil erosion and its impact on soil fertility. The book also addresses problem soils, such as acid soil, salt-affected soil, submerged or waterlogged soil, and the environmental pollution caused by intensive and extensive agricultural practices. The book provides a comprehensive overview of soil chemistry from a holistic perspective, with sufficient explanations and mechanisms of certain processes to make the subject matter more understandable for learners and educators alike.