41 Best Books on Soil Science

We have compiled a list of the Best Reference Books on Soil Science, which are used by students of top universities, and colleges. This will help you choose the right book depending on if you are a beginner or an expert. Here is the complete list of Soil Science Books with their authors, publishers, and an unbiased review of them as well as links to the Amazon website to directly purchase them. If permissible, you can also download the free PDF books on Soil Science below.

1. Fundamentals of Soil Science

 
1."The Nature and Properties of Soils" by Brady N C
“The Nature and Properties of Soils” Book Review: This book is designed to help students understand the nature and properties of soils in an easier way. The latest edition includes updated photographs, diagrams, and special sections called “boxes” to explain different techniques, methodologies, and new problems. It covers all the important aspects of soil science in a comprehensive manner. The book also includes special topics such as controlling soil erosion, soil acidity, chemical pollution in soils, and the organisms and ecology of the soil. It is specifically created for undergraduate students studying agricultural engineering. However, it can also be valuable for students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture.

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2."Introductory Soil Science" by Dilip Kumar Das
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3."A Text Book of Soil Science" by Daji A J
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4."Text Book of Soil Science" by Biswas T D and Mukherjee S K
“Text Book of Soil Science” Book Review: This book has been completely rewritten to include the latest developments in the field of agriculture. Both the approach and content have been updated. The book now has new illustrations and diagrams to help explain topics like brown hill soils under forests, soil taxonomy, land degradation, and watershed management. The author has also included information on Soil Conservation and Soil Erosion, considering the latest syllabus of various universities in India. Additionally, the book includes solved numerical examples from different university exams at the end of each chapter to provide practical application of the theoretical concepts.

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5."Soil Science: An Introduction" by Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS)
“Soil Science: An Introduction” Book Review: This book is primarily created for GATE aspirants and individuals preparing for other competitive exams. It is also useful for engineering students and teachers. The book extensively covers the subject of soil science and its relation to human society. It includes information on exam patterns and the latest research findings, providing a broader scope for preparation. The chapters in the book present various concepts using illustrations, problems, case studies, and tables. To make revision easier, each chapter includes important formulas, laws, and key points.

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6."Fundamentals Of Soil Science" by Rathinasamy A
“Fundamentals Of Soil Science” Book Review: This book is designed for undergraduate students and aims to explain concepts in a clear and concise manner. The topics are presented in a logical order, and there are numerous solved examples provided throughout the book. The main focus of the book is on applied problems related to soil science. It covers fundamental soil concepts, the importance of soil, soil formation, and the physical and chemical properties of soils. The book also addresses various problems related to these topics. The diagrams in the book are accurate and easy to understand. The solutions are derived using standard and simple procedures, and there is an abundance of solved examples included. This book is primarily intended for agricultural students.

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7."Fundamentals of Soil Science" by Jeffory Hattey
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8."Fundamentals of Soil Sciences" by Charles Ernest Millar
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9."Fundamental Soil Science" by James Thompson and Mark Coyne
“Fundamental Soil Science” Book Review: This textbook focuses on the basic aspects of soil science, particularly the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. It presents the subject as both a science and an art, making it more engaging for students. The theories and explanations are supported by many solved examples to aid understanding. To enhance clarity, additional figures have been included in the book. There are also multiple-choice questions and other thoughtfully arranged questions to help students assess their knowledge. While primarily intended as a textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students, it is also beneficial for undergraduate engineering students.

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10."Fundamentals of Soil Science" by Jeffory A Hattey and Jamie J Patton
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2. Soil Engineering

 
1."Disturbed Soil Properties" by A N Schofield
Book Review: This book describes the advancements in soil properties that led to the development of the cam clay model. It also covers the basic principles of soil shearing. Additionally, the book explains the fundamentals of geotechnical design, which assists engineers in handling various combinations of effective stress and water content. It includes equations that explain soil behavior and provide guidance for readers to understand and work with the author’s findings.

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2."Hydrology and Soil Conservation Engineering : Including Watershed Management" by Das Ghanshyam
“Hydrology and Soil Conservation Engineering: Including Watershed Management” Book Review: This book is a comprehensive second edition that expands upon the original cover. It covers various topics related to water management, soil and water conservation, precipitation, losses in water abstraction, stream flow, analyzing the frequency of hydrologic events, and flood routing. It also provides detailed information on soil erosion and methods to control it. The book includes techniques for managing watersheds. It is suitable for both students and professionals in the field.

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3."Soil Engineering" by Alam Singh
“Soil Engineering” Book Review: This book has been updated and revised to include the latest theories and recent developments in soil engineering. It presents the fundamental principles and key concepts of soil engineering in a clear and understandable way. The early chapters of the book cover important topics such as soil mass, soil classification, soil structure, soil water, permeability, surface loading, compressibility and consolidation, compaction, shear strength, cohesive soil, and slope stability. The remaining chapters discuss shallow foundations, deep foundations, pavements, soil stabilization, site investigations, earth dams, stress path method, machine foundations, and laterally loaded piles. This book is aimed at students, researchers, professionals, and engineers working in the field of soil engineering.

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4."Soil Engineering : In Theory and Practice: Selected Topics" by Alam Singh
“Soil Engineering: In Theory and Practice: Selected Topics” Book Review: This book aims to provide the latest information on the fundamental concepts of soil engineering. The chapters in the book are well-explained and cover various topics. It starts by discussing the use of geotextiles in railways, geosynthetics in earthworks, rockfill dams, improving bearing capacity, geological factors, soil deposits, and their characteristics, as well as support systems. The book then proceeds to cover civil engineering applications, tunneling, underpinning, vibratory compaction, granular piles, soil stabilization, soil nailing, dispersive soil, and ground improvement. The techniques of reinforced and anchored earth used in soil engineering are also mentioned in this book. It is a valuable resource for students and professionals working in solid mechanics.

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5."Soil Engineering in Theory Practice" by Alam Singh
“Soil Engineering in Theory Practice” Book Review: This book explains how soil behaves when tested and measured using geological instruments. The new edition includes eight additional chapters. The chapters in this book cover various topics such as testing rocks to understand their properties, the characteristics of soil’s plasticity, identifying and classifying soil in the field, determining specific gravity, measuring infiltration, and studying soil expansion. The book showcases how soil engineering is applied in different areas. It will be helpful for students and professionals studying or working in civil engineering.

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6."Soil Engineering" by Thomas Bartzanas
“Soil Engineering” Book Review: This book has been updated and revised to include the latest theories and recent developments in sustainable soil engineering. The early chapters of the book discuss important topics such as soil compaction, increasing soil density, soil disturbance, soil fragmentation, and the machineries used for soil tillage. The remaining chapters provide detailed information on soil traffic, traction, the use of robotics in agriculture, controlled traffic farming, mechanical weed control, and the characterization of soil variability. This book will be valuable for students studying soil-related subjects as it covers a wide range of important topics in detail.

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7."Soil Engineering: Testing Design and Remediation" by Ravindra Singh
“Soil Engineering: Testing Design and Remediation” Book Review: This book is a valuable resource for students and professionals involved in soil engineering. It presents information in a reader-friendly manner, making it easy to understand. The book emphasizes important topics such as soil testing principles, design, and remediation techniques. The chapters discuss different soil types and the various technologies available to enhance their quality, texture, and fertility. The methodologies and techniques presented in this book are essential for soil conservation. Furthermore, the book highlights how engineering principles are transforming the analysis and utilization of soil.

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8."Soil Engineering: Testing Design and Remediation" by R N Reddy
“Soil Engineering: Testing Design and Remediation” Book Review: This book is a valuable resource for students and professionals in the field of soil engineering. It presents information in a clear and accessible manner, making it easy for readers to understand. The book is specifically designed to cover important topics such as soil testing principles, design, and techniques for remediation. Each chapter provides descriptions of different soil types and explores various technologies that can enhance their quality, texture, and fertility. The methodologies and techniques featured in this book are crucial for soil conservation. Additionally, the book emphasizes how engineering principles are revolutionizing the analysis and utilization of soil.

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3. Soil Dynamics and Machine Foundations

 
1."Dynamics of Bases and Foundations" by D D Barkan
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2."Vibrations of Soils and Foundations" by E E Rihcart
“Vibrations of Soils and Foundations” Book Review: This book has been updated and revised to include the latest theories and recent developments in soil mechanics and foundations. The chapters cover a range of topics, including design criteria and motions, vibratory motion, vector representation of vibratory motion, and single degree of freedom system. The book provides valuable information on the behavior of soil under dynamic loads, vibrations of foundations, foundation isolation, laboratory measurements, and design procedures. It presents improved techniques for field and laboratory testing, as well as methods for testing soil prototypes. This book will be a valuable resource for civil engineers and architects in their work.

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3."Vibration Problems in Engineering" by S P Timoshenko
Book Review: This book explores different concepts in vibration theory and introduces several advanced computational techniques. It explains the normal mode method, which is primarily used for linear systems with multiple degrees of freedom and infinite degrees of freedom. Additionally, the book discusses various numerical methods for analyzing nonlinear systems. Furthermore, there is a dedicated chapter on the finite element method, which illustrates how this method simplifies the analysis of continuous systems.

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4."Soil Dynamics and Machine Foundations" by Swami Saran
“Soil Dynamics and Machine Foundations” Book Review: This book aims to cover all the important aspects and concepts of soil dynamics and machine foundations. It discusses the various applications of reinforced soil when subjected to gravity and boundary forces. The chapters of the book describe topics such as the fundamental mechanisms, strength and frictional characteristics of soil, reinforced soil walls, reinforced backfills, foundations using reinforced soil, and randomly distributed reinforced soil. The book also presents advanced concepts for further learning. It is a valuable resource for students and professionals in civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering fields.

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5."Soil Formation and Soil Moisture Dynamics in Agriculture Fields" by Pham Van Quang
“Soil Formation and Soil Moisture Dynamics in Agriculture Fields” Book Review: This book has been updated and revised to include the latest theories and recent advancements in soil mechanics. It introduces a conceptual model for soil formation that highlights the connection between soil hydrology and plant response. The chapters of this book are comprehensive and provide in-depth coverage of topics such as dynamics in agricultural fields and dynamic process-oriented models. The book emphasizes sustainable production and will serve as a valuable source of knowledge for students and professionals in the field of geotechnical engineering.

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6."An Introduction to Soil Dynamics" by Arnold Verruijt
“An Introduction to Soil Dynamics” Book Review: This book provides a well-balanced approach, presenting both theoretical and practical concepts of soil dynamics. It offers a clear explanation of the fundamental principles and key concepts in this field. The chapters of the book provide detailed derivations of analytical solutions and describe the essential components of computer programs used for numerical calculations. Various topics are covered extensively, including wave propagation in saturated compressible porous media, approximate analysis of Rayleigh wave generation, seismic response of soil layers, propagation of Love waves, and the effects of line loads, strip loads, and moving loads. This book is suitable for students and professionals studying soil dynamics in civil engineering, geophysics, and earthquake engineering departments.

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7."Practical Soil Dynamics: Case Studies in Earthquake and Geotechnical Engineering" by Milutin Srbulov
“Practical Soil Dynamics: Case Studies in Earthquake and Geotechnical Engineering” Book Review: This book focuses on providing the most up-to-date information and practical approaches to address problem sets in realistic scenarios related to soil dynamics. It bridges the gap between engineering codes and standards pertaining to soil dynamics in earthquake engineering. The book extensively covers important topics such as the main sources and properties of ground motion, typical ground motions, recording techniques, ground investigations and testing, as well as soil properties used in simple analyses. It also includes chapters dedicated to topics like fast sliding in non-liquefied soil, flow of liquefied sandy soil, massive retaining walls, and slender retaining walls. This book serves as an excellent resource for students and professionals in the fields of civil and geotechnical engineering.

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4. Soil Conservation and Water Harvesting

 
1."ADVANCES IN RAINWATER HARVESTING and SOIL WATER CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES FOR CROP PRODUCTION IN ARID and SEMI-ARID AREAS" by alvin
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2."Rainwater Harvesting and Soil Water Conservation Technique" by LILIANA LIZARRAGA
“Rainwater Harvesting and Soil Water Conservation Technique” Book Review: This book serves as both a teaching aid and a practical guide for undergraduate students studying BSc or engineering courses that include relevant topics. It covers several important concepts, including successful interventions of improved indigenous rainwater harvesting and soil water conservation technologies such as tassa, stone rows, and half-moon structures. The author provides detailed explanations and insights on these topics within the pages of this textbook.

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3."Soil Water and Agronomic Productivity (Advances in Soil Science)" by Rattan Lal and B A Stewart
“Soil Water and Agronomic Productivity (Advances in Soil Science)” Book Review: This book offers comprehensive coverage and ample exercises for readers who seek to gain extensive knowledge. It includes chapters on managing surface runoff, groundwater, irrigation, and soil water, among others. The book also delves into important topics such as enhancing water use efficiency and improving soil water availability. Each chapter is accompanied by numerous solved examples, providing practical application of the concepts. Advanced subjects like soil water and agronomic productivity are explored in depth. The book is beneficial for students pursuing BA and B. Com courses (Pass and Honours), as well as postgraduate students in Arts and Commerce. Additionally, it can be useful for students preparing for various competitive examinations.

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4."Objectives in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering" by Pawan Jeet Prem
“Objectives in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering” by Pawan Jeet Prem Book Review: This book is intended for students studying Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, Land and Water Management Engineering, Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Irrigation and Water Management Engineering, and agricultural engineering in various Indian universities. The purpose of the book is to help students excel in different exams such as Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Eligibility Test (NET), and PhD entrance exams in Agricultural Universities. The book is organized according to the ARS pattern. It also includes useful information on SI units, measurements, mathematical formulas, dimensionless numbers, and more for quick reference. Some questions related to instrumentation and basic mathematics that are commonly asked in the IARI PhD Exam are included in different chapters. The book is beneficial for students preparing for JRF, SRF, NET, ARS, IARI Ph.D., State Exams, and other similar exams.

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5."Productive Soils: The Fundamentals of Successful Soil Management and Profitable Crop Production" by Wilbert Walter Weir
“Productive Soils: The Fundamentals of Successful Soil Management and Profitable Crop Production” Book Review: This book is a detailed study of different types of soils and how to effectively manage them for successful crop production. It provides practical techniques and methods that are commonly used in real-world practices to ensure optimal soil management. By implementing these methods, students will learn how to achieve better soil management and achieve higher crop yields, resulting in increased income. The book includes pictures that illustrate the application of these methods, making it easier to understand and apply the concepts. It is a valuable resource for anyone involved in agriculture and interested in the field.

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5. Soil Geology

 
1."Soil Genesis and Classification" by Boul S W and South R J
“Soil Genesis and Classification” Book Review: This book provides a thorough explanation of how soil is formed and classified. It contains detailed information about different soil profiles. Additionally, the book discusses new classification systems and emerging technologies in the field of geology. It covers topics such as the bearing capacity of soils and the settlement of shallow foundations. Students studying soil science can use this book as a textbook, and professionals in the field can use it as a reference.

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2."Nature and Properties of Soils" by Braddy N C
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3."Studies of Soils of India" by Govinda Rajan S V and Gopala Rao K H G
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4."The Chemistry of Soils" by Sposito and Garrison
“The Chemistry of Soils” Book Review: This book focuses on the physical and chemical aspects of soil chemistry. It explains the importance of soil chemistry in relation to global climate change. The book discusses how organic carbon interacts with the soil and how it is stored in the soil, preventing the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. It also explores the environmental and biogeochemical aspects of soil chemistry.

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5."Soil" by Rebecca Faulkner
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6."Geology Underfoot in Death Valley and Owens Valley" by Robert P Sharp
“Geology Underfoot in Death Valley and Owens Valley” Book Review: This book explores the geology of the Eastern California region, specifically the area between Mt. Whitney and Death Valley. It reveals the unique geological features of this land. The book provides information about Racetrack Playa, an interesting geological formation. It also discusses the effects of volcanoes and earthquakes in shaping the land. The book highlights new features such as lava columns at Devils Postpile and fault scarps that create a golf course. Additionally, it focuses on the processes of boulders breaking apart due to salt crystals and rocks being eroded by windblown sand.

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7."Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology" by Edward J Tarbuck and Frederick K Lutgens
“Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology” Book Review: This book is about the basics of physical geology. It explains the fundamental principles of physical geology in easy-to-understand language and includes helpful illustrations. The book is based on recent technical surveys and includes the latest trends in the field, particularly in the dynamic area of plate tectonics. It also provides information about the stability of Earth retaining structures. This book can be used as a reference by geology students.

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8."Essentials of Geology" by Stephen Marshak
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9."Soil" by Grace Hansen
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10."Soil Mechanics and Foundations" by Muni Budhu
“Soil Mechanics and Foundations” Book Review: This book is about soil mechanics and the foundations of soil chemistry. It explains basic concepts and fundamental principles using simple mechanics, physics, and mathematics. The book provides hints and examples to help readers understand the material. It also includes a CD-ROM that offers a visual learning experience. The book covers topics such as the geological characteristics of soils, soil investigation, physical soil parameters, and the flow of water through soils. It also discusses stresses, strains, elastic deformations, and shear strength of soils.

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11."The Soil, Its Nature, Relations, and Fundamental Principles of Management" by Franklin Hiram King
“The Soil, Its Nature, Relations, and Fundamental Principles of Management” Book Review: This book is a detailed study that analyzes different types of soils and teaches how to effectively manage them for profitable crop production. It discusses various techniques and methods that are used in real-world practices to achieve the best soil management outcomes. Students will learn how these methods contribute to improved soil management and better results. Successful soil management leads to increased crop production and, as a result, higher income. The book includes pictures that help readers apply the concepts and gain a practical understanding of the subject. It is a valuable resource for individuals involved in agriculture and those interested in the field.

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We have put a lot of effort into researching the best books on Soil Science and came out with a recommended list and their reviews. If any more book needs to be added to this list, please email us. We are working on free pdf downloads for books on Soil Science and will publish the download link here. Fill out this Soil Science books pdf download" request form for download notification.

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