Edaphology (fromGreekἔδαφος,edaphos 'ground' +-λογία,-logia) is concerned with the influence ofsoils on living beings, particularly plants.[1][2][3] It is one of two main divisions ofsoil science, the other beingpedology.[4][5][6] Edaphology includes the study of how soil influences humankind's use of land for plant growth[7] as well as people's overall use of the land.[8] General subfields within edaphology areagricultural soil science (known by the termagrology in some regions) andenvironmental soil science.[9] Pedology deals with pedogenesis,soil morphology, and soil classification.
The history of edaphology is not simple, as the two main alternative terms for soil science—pedology and edaphology—were initially poorly distinguished.[10]Friedrich Albert Fallou originally conceived pedology in the 19th century as a fundamental science separate from the applied science of agrology,[11] a predecessor term for edaphology,[12] a distinction retained in the current understanding of edaphology. During the 20th century, the term edaphology was "driven out of [pedology-centric] soil science" but remained in use to address edaphic problems in other disciplines.[13] In the case of Russian soil scientists, edaphology was used as an equivalent term to pedology,[14] and in Spain, soil scientists adopted edaphology in preference to the term pedology.[15] In the 21st century, edaphology is recognized by soil scientists as a branch of soil science necessary and complementary to the pedology branch.[16]
Xenophon (431—355 BC), andCato (234—149 BC), were early edaphologists. Xenophon noted the beneficial effect of turning a cover crop into the earth. Cato wroteDe Agri Cultura ("On Farming"), which recommendedtillage,crop rotation, and the use oflegumes in the rotation to build soil nitrogen. He also devised the first soilcapability classification for specific crops.
Jan Baptist van Helmont (1577—1644) performed a famous experiment, growing a willow tree in a pot of soil and supplying only rainwater for five years. The weight gained by the tree exceeded the weight loss of the soil. He concluded that the willow was made of water. Although only partly correct, his experiment reignited interest in edaphology.[17]
Agricultural soil science is the application of soil chemistry, physics, and biology dealing with the production of crops. In terms ofsoil chemistry, it places particular emphasis onplant nutrients of importance tofarming andhorticulture, especially with regard tosoil fertility andfertilizer components.
Physical edaphology is strongly associated with cropirrigation anddrainage.
Soil husbandry is a strong tradition within agricultural soil science. Beyond preventingsoil erosion anddegradation in cropland, soil husbandry seeks to sustain the agricultural soil resource though the use ofsoil conditioners andcover crops.
Environmental soil science studies our interaction with thepedosphere on beyond crop production. Fundamental and applied aspects of the field addressvadose zone functions,septic drain field site assessment and function, land treatment ofwastewater,stormwater,erosion control,soil contamination with metals and pesticides,remediation of contaminated soils, restoration ofwetlands,soil degradation, and environmentalnutrient management. It also studies soil in the context ofland-use planning,global warming, andacid rain.
Industrialization has impacted the way thatsoil interacts withplants in various ways. Increased mechanical production has led to higher amount ofheavy metals within soils. These heavy metals have also been found incrops.[18] While, the increased use of syntheticfertilizer andpesticides has decreased thenutrient availability of soils.[19]
Changes in agricultural practices, such asmonocropping andtilling, as a result of industrialization have also impacted aspects of edaphology. Monocropping techniques are efficient for harvesting and business strategies but lead to a decrease inbiodiversity. Decreased biodiversity is shown to decrease the nutrients available in soils.[20] Furthermore, monocropping leads to an increased dependency on chemical fertilizer.[21] While intensive tilling disturbs the community of microorganism that live with in soil. These microorganisms help maintain soil moisture and air circulation which are critical to plant growth.[22]
study of soil in relation to plant growth is called edaphology
Edaphology is the study of soil in relation to soil-dependent uses.
The use Edaphology by Lyon and Buckman is interpreted by Dr. Buckman (personal communication) in the rather restricted sense of 'the soil in its relation to plants' rather than with a pure soil science meaning. Their interpretation is essentially like that given to Fallou to the word 'Agrology'
The study of soils as naturally occurring bodies on the Earth's surface is called pedology (in contrast to edaphology, which is the study of soils and their relations with plants, particularly crops).
Edaphology … is a much more desirable term to indicate Soil Science
Agricultural soil science (agrology) is the knowledge of the soil in its relation to the plant and agricultural use. It has only to do with arable land suitable for agriculture, and in a way of speaking it is a kind of liturgy of the soil, for in order to grow usable plants upon it, it must first be artificially prepared.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Fallou is quoted as having stated that 'Natural Soil Science or Pedology is a description the nature of soil, no matter whether it has or has not some bearing to vegetation or to its use for industrial purposes.' He used 'Agrology' as a knowledge of soil in its relationship to vegetation and agricultural use.
In the 20th century, the term edaphology was driven out of soil science and used when addressing edaphic problems in other disciplines. ...edaphic problems remained and they were solved both within basic soil science and adjoined sciences.
The restoration of the edaphic branch in soil science is necessary for addressing theoretical and especially practical problems in sustainable forest and environmental management under the rapidly changing environment and developing economy.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
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