The book contains chapters on: Introduction, Functions of Soils, Physical, Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Soils, Concepts and Role of Soils, Soil Taxonomies, Effect of Ecological Factors and Soil Properties on the Soil Fertility, Soil Sciences Aspects of Nutrient Supply, Effect of Anthropogenic Factors on the Soil Properties, Degradation Processes in Soil, Effect of Irrigation on Soil, Soil Pollution and Remediation, Soil and Plant Growth, Soil Organic Matter, Humus – Fractionation of Organic Matter, Organic Matter, Humus, Humate, Humic Acid, Fulvic Acid and Humin, Soil Erosion, Constituents in Soils, Soil Structure and Plant Growth. Graduate students, scientists and professionals, from a wide variety of disciplines and others who deal with the nature, processes and use of soil will have access to essential information and be directed to pertinent specialized literature.

Dr. Hemlata Pant, presently working as Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, C.M.P. P.G. College, Allahabad, (U.P.), India. She obtained her M.Sc. (Zoology), D.Phil degree (Nematology) from University of Allahabad, Allahabad (U.P.) in 1997 and 2004, respectively. She is having more than 16 years’ research and teaching experience in the field of Nematology, Post-harvest diseases of guava and their management by different plant extracts, yeast and mushroom cultivation techniques. She has published 61 research papers, 120 popular articles and 20 book chapters. She has edited/authored of 15 important books of emerging issues. Dr. Pant is Fellow of seven reputed societies. She got Jagdiesh Chandra Bose Hindi Granth Lekhan Award from DBT, Government of India, New Delhi. She is editor of one journal (Journal of Natural Resource and Development) and one popular Hindi magazine (Grameen Vikas Sandesh). Dr. Pant is in Editorial Board of Annals of Plant Protection Sciences, New Delhi and Co-editor of Journal of Fisheries Sciences (Mangalore). She is in Advisory Board of Al Da Beatz Magazine.