Geology

The early concepts of soil were based on ideas developed by a German chemist, Justus von Liebig (1803–1873)

Soil Science and Agriculture in The Early Era

Summary

Soil is an element of our planet. We can find it anywhere on our planet even though it is present under the ocean. The history of soil science is very old. From 11,000 BP some knowledge of soil science would have needed for agricultural purposes. Humans come to know that irrigation improves soil fertility. In many ways, the Greeks and the Romans excelled in early soil knowledge. But they did not take the knowledge to the level of true science.

Early soil science and knowledge were deepened on natural observation and test theories. Francis Bacon, Robert Boyle, and Leonardo da Vinci and so many scientists worked on soil science in the Middle Ages, Renaissance Period and the Age of Enlightenment. Soil science became the true science in the 19th century by developed genetic soil science, which was led by Vasilii V. Dokuchaev.

20th-century soil science comes out from the agricultural site. Now soil science used in construction site septic systems, wildlife, and many other sectors. In short, soils have become an important component across the board in land use evaluations. There are 7 continents in our world and every continent has its own type of soil.

Continents with their Soil Science

Northern Europe:

In the Roman era agriculture-based civilization has existed in northern Europe. In Britain, people cultivated fields but they were not very good at soil science and that’s why their civilization did not prosper. But when the Romans arrived there, they give their agricultural techniques to the British. After that, the agriculture-based on soil science adopted all over Europe.

Asia:

In Asia, humans were also learning about soil science and agriculture in the early BC. In Uzbekistan farmer worked on sand and manure into the soils of the Amu Darya Delta was found along the south shores of the Aral Sea.

In India, people also used water for their crops in the 4th century. They use the Ganges River and so many other rivers to irrigate their land.

In China, early agriculture centered on the fertile floodplain of the Huang He, or Yellow River.

Japanese agriculture was influenced by the Chinese until the 9th century AD, and from then Japanese stopped immigration and stay away from Chinese influence. At that time Japan did not have good agriculture-based land, and that’s place a high value of soil. Many forms of maintaining soil fertility, including manure, green manure, the growth of legumes, and crop rotations were used.

Americans:

Americans also developed their soil knowledge during ancient times. In Mexico, farming existed in the 5th century BC. At that time, they were using irrigation and terracing techniques. They were also using artificial soil made of aquatic plants which we can say fertilizer in mordant time. They also came to know that clay from lake or river bottom, marl and manure can make the soil more fertile.

Soil science-based agriculture also outflows all over the Maya, Peru and other countries of South America.

Africa:

There is not have any brief history of African agriculture and soil science. But they also used irrigation systems from an early age.