Cven 6007 Soil Physics
Objective
This course is offered as a minor course for the Ph.D programme in Soil and Water Engineering. The course content is designed to impart knowledge on the physical processes occurring in the soil and its relation to various aspects of engineering and environment. It is a branch of soil science dealing with the physical and engineering properties of the soil including the measurement, prediction and control of the physical processes taking place in and through the soil. The influence of soil physical conditions on agriculture including crop growth, soil manipulation processes like tillage and interculture, Irrigation, soil and water conservation, etc are highlighted in the subject matter covered. The concepts in soil physics are used for determining the transport of water,nutrients,solutes and energy through the porous media.
Through the modules , the course details on the soil as a three-phase system, soil static and dynamic properties, soil water content and potentials, energy status of soil water, Hydraulic conductivity and Diffusivity of soils. Practical knowledge is also given in soil physical analysis and development of soil moisture characteristics. The knowledge acquired through this course enables the student to solve practical issues related to water retention characters of soil, subsurface hydrology, groundwater, crop productivity and rainfall-induced land degradation.