00000059

of the international society of soil science
•m etin
de l'association internationale de la science du sol
1er internationalen bodenkundlichen gesellschaft
No. 59
1981 1
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF SOIL SCIENCE
ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONALE DE LA SCIENCE DL' SOL
INTERNATIONALE BODENKUNDLICHE GESELLSCHAFT
Secretariat General/Secretariat general Generalsekrelanat : c/o International Soil Museum, 9 Duivendaal,
P.O. Box 353. 6700 AJ Wageningen, Netherlands. Telegram : Sombroek, ISOMUS. Wageningen
President/President/Präsident
Dr. J. S. Kanwar. Director Research. ICRISAT, Patancheru P.O., Andhra Pradesh 502324,
India cable: CRISAT - Hyderabad
Vice President/Vice-Président/Vizeprâsident
Dr. D. R. Bhumbla. Agriculture Commisioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Dept. of
Agriculture. Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi 110001, India
1st Past President/ler Ancien-Président/1 en ehemaligen Vorsitzender:
Prof. Dr. C. F. Bentley, Department of Soil Science. University of Alberta. Edmonton. Alberta
T6G 2EO, Canada.
2nd Past President/2me Ancien-President/2ter ehemaligen Vorsitzender:
Prof. Dr. V. A. Kovda. Inst, of Agric. Chem. & Soil Sei., Putscheno, Moscow Region, U.S.S.R.
3rd Past Presidenl,'3me Ancicn-Président/3ter ehemaligen Vorsitzender:
Prof. Dr. E. G. Hallsworth, Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex. Falmer, Brighton,
Sussex BN I 9RF, England.
Sécréta ry-General/Sécrétaire-général/Generalsekretar
Dr. W. G. Sombroek, Director, International Soil Museum, 9 Duivendaal. P.O. Box 353. 6700 AJ
Wageningen. Netherlands
Deputy Secretary-General/Secrétaire général adjoint/Stellvertretender Generalsekretär
Prof. Dr. I. Szabolcs. Director. Research Institute of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,
Hermann Ottó ut 15. Budapest 11. Hungary
Treasurer'Trésorier/Schatzmeister
Dr. D. Gabriels. University Gent, Coupure Links 533, B-9O00 Gent. Belgium
Honorary Members Membres Honoraires Ehrenmitglieder
Dr. G. Barbier (France), Dr. R. Bradfield (U.S.A.), Dr. V. Ignatieff (Canada). Dr. Y. Ishizuka (Japan).
Prof. Dr. L. Krolikovski (Poland). Prof. A. Oudin (France), Prof. J. A. Prescott (Australia). Dr. L. A.
Richards ( U S A ) , M. L. Vettori (Brazil)
Commissions Commissions Kommissionen - Chairmen Présidents Vorsitzenden
L
II.
Soil phvsics Physique du sol Bodenphvsik
Dr. D. R. Nielsen. Dept. of Water Science and Engin. Univ. of California. Davis. CA. 95616, USA
Soil chemistry Chimie du sol Bodenchemie
Dr. M. Schnitzer. Chemistry and Biology Research Institute. Agriculture Canada, CE.F.. Ottawa,
Ontario K1A 0C6, Canada
III.
Soil biology Biologie du sol Bodenbiologie
Prof. Dr. E. A. Paul. Dept. of Plant and Soil Biology, University of California-Berkeley. 108
Hilgard Hall. Berkeley. California 94720. U.S.A.
IV.
Soil fertility and plant nutrition Fertilité du sol et nutrition des plantes Bodenfruchtbarkeit und
Planzenernährung
Dr. C. Hera. Academia de Suinte Agric. si Silvice. Bd Marasti 61 Bucaresti. Romania
V.
Soil genesis, classification and cartography Genese du sol, classification et cartographie Bodengenetik,
Klassifikation und Kartographie
Prof. Dr. E. Schlichting. Institut für Bodenkunde und Standortslehre. Universität Hohenheim. PF 106,
D 7000. Stuttgart-70. BRD
VI.
Soil technology Technologie du sol Bodentechnologie
Prof. Dr. C. Sys. Geologisch Instituut, RUG. Krijgslaan 271, 9000 Gent. Belgium
VII. Soil mineralogy Minéralogie du sol Bodenmineralogie
Prof. Dr. U. Schwertmann. Institut für Bodenkunde. 8050 Freising- Weihenstephan. BRD
International Society of Soil Science (ISSS)
Association Internationale de la Science du Sol (AISS)
Internationale Bodenkundliche Gesellschaft (IBG)
REGISTRATION
TRAG
FOR
MEMBERSHIP/DEMANDE
DAFFIL1ATION/AUFNAHMEAN-
Q
CHANGE OR CORRECTION OF ADDRESS/CHANGEMENT
D-ADRESSE/ANSCHRIFTENÄNDERUNG
OU
CORRECTION
n
STATEMENT ON SPECIAL INTERESTS/DECLARATION D'INTERETS SPECIAUX/ANZEIGUNG VON SPEZIALINTERESSEN
Please return this form, completed at both sides, to the Treasurer ISSS: Dr. D. Gabriels. Coupure Links
533, B-9000. Ghent. Belgium.
Veuillez bien renvoyer ce formulaire, complété de deux côtés, au Trésorier AISS: Dr. D. Gabriels. Coupure
Links 533. B-9000. Gand. Belgique.
Bitte senden Sie diesen Formular, ausgefüllt an beiden Seiten, zum Schatzmeister IBG: Dr. D. Gabriels.
Coupure Links 533, B-9000, Gent. Belgien.
• Name
* Nom
First II.1IÎU i s) or initials
Prénom(s) ou initiales
VornameOi) oder Initialen
Title and or function
litre et ou fonction
Titel und oder Tätigkeit
Address (Institution & Dept., Street and no., P.O. Box. Town & Zipcode, Country)
Adresse (Institution et Département. Rue et no., Boîte Postale, Ville et Code Postale, Pays)
Anschrift (Institut & Abteilung. Strasze & No.. Postfach. Stadt & Postleizahl, Land)
Previous country of residence
Ancien pays de domicile . .
Der voriger Landesort
• For composite names, please indicate first the part of the name to be used for listing it in alphabetical
order.
• Pour les noms composés, prière de marquer en premier lieu l'élément du nom à utiliser dans une liste
alphabétique.
• Bei zusammengesetzte Namen wird gebeten, zuerst den Teil des Namens anzugeben, der in einer
alphabetische Folge erscheinen soll.
Noie for present members
It will be endeavoured to have the specific professional interests systematically recorded in the Society's semiautomated membership administration at Ghent, for selective forwarding of information on forthcoming
activities of Commissions and Working Groups. Please tick off your interests and send this form, with your
address indicated on the reverse side, to the Treasurer ISSS.
Noie pour les membres actuels
On essayer,/ d'enregistrer systématiquement les intérêts pmfessionels spécifiques dans l'administration semiautomatisée des membres à Gand. pour en noyer de reformation sélectionnée concernant les activités futures des
Commissions et des Groupes de Travails. Veuillez noter vos intérêts et envoyer celle formule avec voire adresse
indiquée à l'envers, au Trésorier de l'AlSS.
Bemerkung für gegenwärtigen Mitglieder
Es werde versucht worden die professionellen Spezialinlcressen systematisch einzutragen in die semiauiomatisierte Mitgliederadministration der Gesellschaft in Gent, zur selektierten Zuschickung der Information über zukunftlicher Aktivitäten betreffs Kommissionen und Arbeitsgruppen. Bitte notieren Sie Ihre
Interesse und senden Sie dieses Formular, mit Ihrer Adresse, angezeigt an die Hinterzeite. am Schatzmeister
Specially interesled in the activities of particulièrement intéressé aux activités de besonders am folgenden
Bereichen interessiert :
Commission! s) i Commission! si I Kommission! en)
I
Soil Physics, Physique du Sol, Bodenphysik
II Soil Chemistry/Chimie du Sol/Bodenchemie
III Soil Biology/Biologie du Sol/Bodenbiologie
IV Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition/Fertilité du Sol et Nutrition des Plantes/ Bodenfruchtbarkeit und
Pflanzenernährung
V
Soil Genesis. Classification and Cartography,'Genese du Sol. Classification et Cartographie
Bodengenetik. Klassifikation und Kartographie
VI Soil Technology Technologie du Sol Bodemeennologie
VII Soil Mineralogy Minéralogie du Sol, Bodenmineralogie
Subcommissions; Sous Commissions/Subkommissionen
A Salt Affected Soils/Sols Salins/Salzböden
B Micromorphology, Micromorphologie; Mikromorphologie
Working Groups/Groupes de Travail,1 Arbeitsgruppen
SC Soil Conditioning/Stabilisation de la Structure du Sol'Bodenstrukturverbesserung (Com. I)
NO Nomenclature Hydromorphic Soils/Nomenclature des Sols Hydromorphes Nomenklatur Hydromorfen Böden (Com. V)
DP Soil Information Systems Informatique en Pédologie Informationssysteme in der Bodenk. (Com. V)
RS Remote Sensing for Soil Surveys/Pèdologie et Télédétection. Fernerkundung für Bodenkartographie (Com. VI)
CS Cryogenic Soils/Sols cryogénes/kryogenc Böden (Com. V)
FS Forest Soils/Sols forestiers/Waldböden (Com. V)
PP Paleopedology/Paléopédologie/Paleopedologie (with avec mit INQUA)
FT Soil Fertility/Fertilité des Sols/Bodenfruchtbarkeit (Com. IV)
DS Desertification'Désertification Verwüstung (Com. V)
LE Land Evaluation/Evaluation des Terres Landbewertung (Com. VI)
HS Humic Substances/Matériaux humiques/Humusbestandteile (Com. II)
CO Soil Colloid Surfaces/Surfaces des Colloides de Sol/Bodencolloidale Oberfläche (Com. VII)
Preferred Language Langue préférée gewünschte Sprache
LJ English
français
L, Deutsch
Payment Cotisation Jahresbeitrag
Payment of the yearly due of US $5 (or equivalent) will be made:
La cotisation annuelle de S dollars E. U. I ou leur équivalent) sera versée:
Der Jahresbeitrag von US $5 (oder Gegenwert) wird bezahlt:
.1 through the national society of/par l'intermédiaire de l'association nationale de durch die Nationalgcscllschaft von (country/paysLand)
Z
by cheque/par chèque durch Scheck
D as Unesco coupons/sous forme de bons de l'Unesco/'mit Unesco-Kupons
Account Compte Konto: D. Gabriels. Treasurer ISSS. 390.0440957.50. Bank Brussels Lambert. Martelaarslaan. B 9000 Gent. Belgium (no direct transfer of small amounts, please/pas de transfers directs de petites
sommes, svp/keine direkte Remittierung von kleinen Beträge, bitte!).
CONTENTS/SOMMAIRE INHALT
Activities of the Commissions and Working Groups
Activités des Commissions et Groupes de Travail
Tätigkeit der Kommissionen und Arbeitsgruppen
- News from ISSS Commission III
- 8th International Colloquium of Soil Zoology
International Conference on soils with variable charge, Palmerston-North.
New Zealand
- 2me Réunion sur une 'Base internationale de référence pour la classification des sols', Sofia. Bulgarie
2nd Meeting on an 'International Reference Base for soil classification',
Sofia. Bulgaria
- 2. Sitzung über eine internationale Referenzbasis für Bodenklassifikation',
Sofia, Bulgarien
International Conference on 'Aridic Soils', Jerusalem. Israel
- Internationale Konferenz 'Aridic Soils'. Jerusalem, Israel
Practical progress and new targets for research on Acid Sulphate Soils .
11
12
14
15
In Memoriam
17
News from the National and Regional Societies
Nouvelles des Associations nationales et régionales
Berichte der Nationalen und Regionalen Gesellschaften
19
International Relations
Relations internationales
Internationale Verbindungen
- UNEP/FAO Second Expert Meeting on a World Soils Policy . . .
International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development (IOCD)
- The'Save-Our-Soils'Project
Fourth International Soil Classification Workshop held in Rwanda . .
- The European Economic Community Programme on Land Use and Rural
Resources
The European Cooperative Network on Trace Elements
2
2
3
5
9
10
25
25
29
30
33
35
37
International Training Courses
Cours internationaux de Formation
Internationale Fortbildungskurse
39
Meetings, Conferences, Symposia
Réunions, Conférences, Symposiums
Tagungen, Konferenzen. Symposien
40
New Publications
Nouvelles Publications
Neue Veröffentlichungen
.•
News from the ISSS Secretariat and Treasury
Nouvelles du Secrétariat et de la Trésorerie de rAlSS
Mitteilungen des IBG-Sekretariats und der Kassenverwaltung
44
66
I
ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSIONS AND WORKING GROUPS
ACTIVITÉS DES COMMISSIONS ET GROUPES DE TRAVAIL
TÄTIGKEIT DER KOMMISSIONEN UND ARBEITSGRUPPEN
News from ISSS Commission III
Commission III (Soil Biology) of the International Society of Soil Science when
conducting its business meeting at the 11th International Congress of Soil Science at
Edmonton passed a motion that requested the new executive of the Commission to
investigate the possibility of changing the name of this Commission to Soil Biology and
Biochemistry. Investigations of microbial growth, denitrification, nitrogen fixation
and mycorrhizal research are now very active research areas involving a great deal of
biochemistry as well as biology. These areas of investigation show great potential for
the use of soil and its components. However, scientific discussions concerning them are
occurring largely under the auspices of agencies other than the ISSS. The practical
utilization of knowlegdc in these fields must, however, involve soil scientists and these
subjects should be adequately covered at the ISSS Congresses and ISSS sponsored
meetings.
One of the initial steps that could be taken to recognize the above significant
components in soil science and to attract scientists working in these areas to our Society
would be slight alteration in the name of Commission III. The suggestion for a new
name is Soil Biology and Biochemistry. It was the opinion of most of the people who
attended the Commission III business meeting at Edmonton that this reflection of
modern trends would not alter the excellent cooperation and relationships with closely
allied commissions such as Soil Chemistry and Fertility. It should, however, greatly
strengthen future meetings of Commission III and the ISSS.
The proposal for a change in the name of the Commission requires a change in the
rules. This can only be done by a vote. Preliminary to requesting a vote, the executive of
Commission III has contacted a number of people in ISSS. The majority of chairmen of
other commissions were in favor of a name change to take into account the changing
aspects of soil biology and to attempt to attract the more biochemically oriented
scientists to our international congresses. Some reservations concerning the conflict of
interest with Commission II which has handled much of the humic acid information
during the congresses were brought forward. Some people also believe that the name
Soil Biology now adequately describes the activities of Commission III.
It is hoped that the possibility of a name change and more importantly the requirement that the exciting areas of interest such as microbial growth, denitrification,
nitrogen fixation and mycorrhizal research be represented at our congresses be further
discussed by the members of ISSS. Points of view will be discussed at the meeting in
New Delhi, February, 1982, and your comments would be appreciated. If you cannot
attend the meeting, we would be interested in receiving your viewpoint by letter.
E.A. Paul
Berkeley, California, U.S.A.
VlIIth INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM OF SOIL ZOOLOGY
Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium): August 30-September 2 1982
We are happy to announce that the Université catholique de Louvain in Louvain-laNeuve (Belgium) will be hosting the VHIth international soil zoology colloqium.
At the last colloqium in Syracuse (New York), "New trends in soil biology' was
selected as the theme for this meeting.
The major objective of the colloquim is to promote new perspectives in soil biology
as well from the fundamental point of view as from the practical one. New trends are
expected in conceptual, methodological and experimental domains pertaining to all the
aspects of soil biology and ecology.
The colloquium themas are:
Role played by soil fauna in mineral cycling
- Functional relationships between soil organisms
- Ecophysiology of soil animals
Restoration capacities of soil communities
Anyone interested should send their name and addres: Prof. Ph. Lebrun. Ecologie
animale, Place Croix du Sud, 5, B 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium).
VHIème COLLOQUE INTERNATIONAL DE ZOOLOGIE DU SOL
Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgique): 30 août-2sepiembre 1982
Nous avons le plaisir de vous annoncer que le prochain colloque international de
zoologie du sol aura lieu à l'université catholique de Louvain à Louvain-la-Neuve
(Belgique).
Lors du dernier colloque tenu à Syracuse (New York), on a retenu comme thème
pour cette réunion scientifique: 'tendances nouvelles en biologie du sol'.
L'objectif majeur poursuivi par le colloque est de promouvoir des orientations
neuves en biologie du sol aussi bien sur le plan fondamental que sur le plan des
applications. Ce renouveau est souhaité à la fois sur des matières conceptuelles,
méthodogiques et expérimentales touchant tous les domaines de la biologie et de
l'écologie du sol.
Thèmes du colloque seront :
- Le rôle de la pédofaune dans les cycles d'éléments minéraux
Relations fonctionnelles entre organismes endogènes
- Ecophysiologie des organismes telluriques
- Capacités de reconstitution des communautés édaphiques
Toute personne intéressée est invitée à envoyer son nom et son adresse: Prof. Ph.
Lebrun, Ecologie animale. Place Croix du Sud, 5. B 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgique).
VIII INTERNATIONALES COLLOQUIUM DER BODEMZOOLOGIE
Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgien): 30 AugusI-2 September 1982
Wir haben das Vergnügen ihnen mitzuteilen dass. das nächste Internationale Colloquium der Bodenzoologie an der Katholischen Universität Leuven in Louvain-laNeuve (Belgien) stattfinden wird.
3
Anlässlich des letzten Colloquiums in Syracuse (New York), wurde zum Thema
dieser wissenschaftlichen Tagung folgendes auserwählt: "Neue Tendenzen der Bodenbiologie'.
Das Hauptziel dieses Colloquims ist es. die neuen Orientierungen der Bodenbiologie
zu fördern ebenso im fundamentalen wie im praktischen Bereich. Diese Erneuerung
betrifft zugleich die Konzepte, Methoden und Experimente aller Gebiete der Bodenbiologie und Ecologie.
Themen des Colloquiums sind:
- Rolle der Bodenfauna in Mineralstoffkreisläufen
- Funktionelle Beziehungen zwischen Bodenorganismen
Oekophysiologie von Bodenorganismen
- Erholung gestörter Bodengemeinschaften
Interessenten werden gebeten ihren Namen und Adresse zu senden: Prof. Ph. Lebrun. Ecologie animale. Place Croix du Sud, 5. B 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgien).
The VII International Colloquium of Soil Zoology was held in Syracuse. New York
on July 29 - August 3, 1979. The proceedings of this colloquium entitled. 'Soil Biology
as Related to Land Use Practices' were edited by D. Dindal and published by the
Environmental Protection Agency of the United States. The 880 page volume includes :
The Influence of Pesticides on Soil Organisms. Human Waste Disposal and Soil
Organisms, Anthrophilic Relationships of Soil Organisms. Relationships of Soil
Organisms to Agronomic Practices and Animal Waste, Influence of Mining Site
Modification and Rehabilitation on Soil Organisms, Human Impact on Tropical Soil
Ecology. Basic Soil Ecology, and a closing statement.
A limited number of the Proceedings are available for distribution to interested
persons. These can be obtained from E. A. Paul. Chairman, Commission III, ISSS,
Department of Plant and Soil Biology. University of California, Berkeley, California,
94720 or W. G. Sombroek. Secretary General. ISSS. c/o International Soil Museum.
P.O. Box 353,6700 AJ Wageningen. Holland. A postage and handling fee of US S 8.00
would be appreciated (the approximate weight is 2200 grams).
SYMPOSIUM ON MICROBIAL ECOLOGY
The Third International Symposium on Microbial Ecology will be held August 7-12,
1983. at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. U.S.A.
This symposium is an official meeting of ICOME. the International Committee on
Microbial Ecology. The aim of the symposium is to assemble microbial ecologists with
interests in a wide range of habitats so they can discuss the interactions of microorganisms and the underlying processes that regulate these interactions. The symposium
program will include lectures by keynote speakers, plenary sessions, contributed papers (both oral and posters), and round-table discussions.
Those wishing to receive more information should write to: Third International
Symposium on Microbial Ecology, The Kellogg Center for Continuing Education,
Michigan State University, East Lansing. Michigan 48824, U.S.A.
4
ISSS Commissions IV, V, VI and VII
Report on the
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOILS WITH VARIABLE CHARGE
Palmerston-North, New Zealand, February 11-18, 1981
This official ISSS inter-Congress meeting was organized by the New Zealand Society
of Soil Science and the Royal Society of New Zealand, in cooperation with the Soil
Bureau of the N.Z. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). It wasa
great success, both as regards the organization, the number of participants, and the
depth and breadth of the subjects treated.
There were around 300 participants, of which 130 from New Zealand itself. The
other 170 came from 35 countries, with sizeable delegations from USA (32), Australia
(26), China, Japan, Malaysia and Canada (each 9). They included the President of
ISSS, Dr. J. S. Kanwar, its Secretary-General, Dr. W. G. Sombroek. and the Chairman
of Commission VII. Prof. Dr. U. Schwertmann.
The Conference took place at the Campus of Massey University, where also accommodation was arranged. It was in fact the second time that an international soils
conference was hosted here; the first was held in 1962, as a joint meeting of Commissions IV and V, at the occasion of the completion of the mapping and classification of
the country's soils on a national basis. The present Conference was in part meant to
celebrate the 50th ( !) Anniversary of the New Zealand Soil Bureau.
The subject of the meeting was geared towards the genesis, classification, mineralogy, fertility and management of three main groups of soils, viz. the Podzols
(Spodosols) of temperate regions, the Andosols (Andepts) of volcanically active regions, and the low-activity clay soils of the tropics and subtropics : Ferralsols (Oxisols),
many Acrisols, Nitosols and Luvisols (Ultisols and Alfisols). All of these soils have
appreciable percentages of variable-charge components - i.e. electrical charges altering
considerably with changes in pH and ionic strength composition of the ambient soil
solution, due to relative abundance of clay minerals with amphoteric surfaces.
The structure of the Conference was planned to link the use of these soils with an
understanding of their properties. Consequently, the first halfwas devoted to a review
of the new information on the characterization of soils with variable charge and the latter
half to new developments in classification, management and transfer of information for
soils with variable charge.
The official opening of the Conference was performed by the ISSS President, who
congratulated the organizers on the timely choice of the subject, and highlighted the
achievements of a number of N.Z. soil scientists. Words of welcome were pronounced
by Dr. A. Stewart, Vice-Chancellor of Massey University (and Chairman of the 1962
Conference).
The review part of the meeting was much facilitated by the availability of a Conference book entitled 'Soils with Variable Charge', handed out to all participants at
registration (see this ISSS Bulletin for post-Conference orders). This book, edited by
Dr. B. K. G. Theng, contains a comprehensive series of articles, each by leading
research workers in the subjects, on the morphology, mineralogy, chemistry, physics
and mechanics, biology, and genesis and classification of the soils under discussion.
The contents of the book were introduced and reviewed during the first day, by invited
speakers in plenary sessions (Drs. R. W. Arnold, K. Norrish, G. Uehara, R. D.
Northey, M. E. di Menna, J. A. Springett, and M. L. Leamy). The ensuing discussions
5
VMBRELmS
FO*. D i e *
• ^ ^ Inf W
*oiy
r
MÄÄ?p|Ü k
THflT'5 THE WR0H6
THRT'i
way
TU? t/MBKBLlf* w£ V f f . 0
SoiV Taxonomie Umbrellas in ' Varisol News'.
A spontaneous graphie comment by Dr. G. Miehlich I Hamburg. BRD) at the discussions on a soil classification umbrella, in reaction to Dr. Dick Arnold's presentation of the U.S. 'Soil Taxonomy' system during
a session of the Variable Charge Soils Conference.
General view of the poster display area. Dr. B. K. G. Theng. editor of the 'Soils with Variable Charge' book, in
foreground.
6
were somewhat hampered by a varying degree of thoroughness of the reviews, and by
the lack of time of most participants to study the book themselves. It nevertheless
provided for a sound basis for the subsequent conference days, with a well-balanced
alternation of oral papers, poster sessions, short tours of local institutions and countryside, discussion group sessions, International Committee meetings, specialists group
meetings, and a symposium on agrotechnology transfer.
A total of 18 oral research papers were delivered, and over 80 papers were presented
at two afternoon poster-sessions. English language summaries of each of them had
been rotaprinted in the Conference's booklet on "Programme and Abstracts'.
The discussion group meetings dealt with
Variable charge analysis, pH and CEC
Phosphate and other anions
Short range order minerals
Biology and organic matter, and influence of clay minerals on the biochemical
acitivity of soil micro-organisms
- Clay mineral weathering
- Genesis and classification: volcanic soils
- Genesis and classification : tropical soils
- Genesis and classification : podzolization
- Engineering and soil physics aspects
Forestry aspects
- Soil interpretation
Fertilizers and agronomy.
These meetings were very lively affairs. The resulting summary reports, often with
specific recommendations on research priorities, nomenclature, etc., have been communicated to the respective ISSS Commission Chairmen, for their attention and
action.
-
The International Committee and specialists group meetings comprised 'Soil Research Needs in the South Pacific". "Land Reclamation after Mining', and the progress
of some of the international committees supported by the USAID/SMSS programme
to improve the US Systems of soil classification generally known as 'Soil Taxonomy'
(ICOMAND, ICOMLAC. ICOMOX ; see ISSS Bulletin no. 57). Also, an introduction
was given to the idea to develop an International Reference Base (IRB) for soil
classification (emanating from a FAO/Unesco/UNEP/ISSS consultation in Sofia,
May 1980; cf. Bulletin 58), which idea will be formally discussed at the forthcoming
ISSS Congress in New Delhi, India.
A full day was devoted to the presentation of the approach and the first results of the
USAID Project of Benchmark Soils as a vehicle for agrotechnology transfer (programme of the Universities of Hawaii and Puerto Rico). Introductions were given by
the project 'father' Dr. L. D. Swindale (ICRISAT) and the project staff. The impact of
the agrotechnology transfer hypothesis testing in Brazil. Indonesia, the Philippines and
Thailand were briefly described by soil scientists from those countries. The whole was
accompanied by several posters in a permanent display room. In conjunction, the
symposium provided for a useful introduction to the subject. One would however wish
for a more in-depth discussion of the scientific principles involved, and a critical
evaluation of the first results at the project's experimental sites, as recorded in its
published progress reports (see this Bulletin), in view of the potential follow-up of the
project.
On the last day the implications of the soils-with-variable-charge Conference were
discussed. As to the study of their physical and engineering properties Dr. I. J. Smalley
1
of the New Zealand Soil Bureau pleaded for attention to soil structure, aggregate
stability, and the use of the traditional Atterberg limits at the study of particle interactions. Dr. M. E. Sumner of the University of Georgia, USA, gave a comprehensive
review of the study on the mineralogy of the variable-charge soils (methods of fractionation, extraction methods of soil clay, nature of the soil surface, crystallinity, future
research directions), as well as on their chemistry (concept of exchange capacity versus
measured parameters, soil acidity, charge manipulation, research needs). The study of
agronomic aspects in relation to the soils under discussion was critically examined by
Dr. P. Sanchez of North Carolina State University, USA. 'Comfortable' aspects were
felt to be the much better soil characterizations nowadays provided with agronomic
experiments, and the realization that similar nutritional problems apparently occur in
undeveloped as in highly developed areas. Uncomfortable is however the apparent lack
of awareness of existing long-term management data, and the conspicuous absence of
the plant itself as focal point of any discussion. He made a ringing plea to forge a bridge
between pedologists and agronomists ('the topsoil is where the action is'), and better
international communication between agronomists themselves.
Finally. Dr. D. J. Greenland (IRRI) gave an over-all assessment of the Conference.
He commended the organizers for the very useful structure of the meeting, allowing
effective inter-disciplinary discussions between several ISSS Commissions. He also
opined that in the field of pedology the 'anatomy' of soils has now largely been defined
through the precise definitions and keying of the US 'Soil Taxonomy', but what is now
lacking is an encyclopedia of their 'diets' or the 'doctoring of ailments.' He called for a
comprehensive effort on terminology for other branches of soil science, like chemistry
and mineralogy.
The conference was then formally closed by the ISSS Secretary General. He expressed the thanks of all participants to the organizers, with particular mention of the
Conference President Prof. J. K. Syers, the Organizing Committee's Chairman Dr. R.
B. Miller, and its Secretary-General Dr. L. F. Malloy. A plea was made to the N.Z. Soil
Science Society to have the full texts of the plenary papers and reviews, as well as the
abstracts of the poster papers, published as official Proceedings of the Conference.
The social ambience of the Conference was very lively throughout. A daily newsletter, called 'Varisol News' held everybody timely informed on upcoming programme
items and changes, and printed many off-the-cuff summaries of discussion items.
photographs, axioms, cartoons, etc. Evening functions were ample, well-organized and
highly enjoyed by participants. They included an official reception by the Royal
Society of New Zealand, a tour of local research centres, a film show, a wine-andcheese social event, a barbecue dinner, a New Zealand touristic promotion evening and
a farewell social. The 'accompanying persons' were kept amically busy through a
varied Ladies Programme, while they also got a general impression of the purpose of all
that soil digging and analyzing through a lively evening conference lecture by Dr.
Greenland.
The meeting was preceded and followed by several excellent technical tours of
varying length and emphasis (North-Island, South-Island, Western South-Island,
North-Auckland). They were very well-documented by tour guide books, and the
sizeable number of participants enjoyed the cnthousiasm of the tour leaders and a good
balance between soils and scenery.
Return travel by foreign participants was unfortunately marred by a lenghty strike at
Auckland airport. There remained however a consensus that this was one of the best
inter-Congress Meetings ever held in the history of the International Society.
W. G. Sombroek. Wageningen Netherlands
8
A ISS-Commission V
Compte rendu de la
lime RÉUNION SUR UNE 'BASE INTERNATIONALE DE RÉFÉRENCE
POUR LA CLASSIFICATION DES SOLS'.
Sofia, Bulgarie, 17-19 juin, 1981
Après une discussion poursuivie pendant une année par correspondence sur les
problèmes traités dans la première réunion, une deuxième réunion s'était tenue à
l'Institut N. Poushkarov à Sofia du 17 à 19 juin 1981. Le cercle des participants fut
légèrement élargi (par exemple du Brésil, du Canada, de la Chine, de la Roumanie, du
Soudan et de la Yougoslavie). Les discussions portaient en particulier sur:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
les principes d'une Base internationale de référence (IRB):
les unités aux niveaux supérieurs et leurs définitions;
les principes de leurs subdivisions aux niveaux plus bas;
la nomenclature;
les critères diagnostiques (seulement tentativement);
le programme de suivi.
Les participants donnaient de nouveau leur adhésion à ce qu'une IRB soit indispensable comme un moyen de communication pour une classification des sols du monde et
pour une échange mondiale des expériences et de l'information. Pour ceci on a prévu un
système comprenant 15 à 20 unités au premier rang, qui seront subdivisées au deuxième
à quatrième rang, et au delà du quatrième rang selon les besoins des pays concernés. Au
premier rang la nomenclature sera descriptive (codifiée si nécessaire) et, au deuxième et
troisième rang, on employera des noms. De préférence, des noms déjà existants seront
employés (p.e. de la légende de la carte mondiale des sols FAO/Unesco) tout en
respectant les définitions relatées à ces noms (seulement des noms 'abandonnés' sont
'libres' pour une rédéfinition !). Pour la caractérisation des régimes d'humidité et de
température au quatrième niveau on pourrait employer la terminologie pour les zones
agro-écologiques. Les définitions des unités au plus haut niveau seront révisées par les
pédologues de la FAO et distribuées aux participants pour commentaire. Des horizons
et propriétés diagnostiques seront utilisés selon la légende de la carte mondiale des sols,
sauf pour les changements acceptés déjà ou dans l'avenir.
On a approuvé que des fonds seront sollicités non seulement pour un coordinateur
du travail des groupes différents, mais aussi pour des investigations sur l'aptitude de
plusieurs méthodes d'analyses au laboratoire pour la détermination des phénomènes
diagnostiques à l'ISM, et éventuellement pour l'appui aux institutions nationales qui
sont actives dans ce domaine.
Le futur travail sera dirigé par un Conseil d'administration composé des représentants de FAO, Unesco, UNEP et AISS et sera mené scientifiquement par un Conseil
consultatif recruté parmi les membres du Groupe de Travail IRB à former dans l'AISS
Commission V (les Présidents des Sociétés nationales ont été demandés déjà à proposer
les noms des candidats pour devenir membres de ce conseil). Le Président de la
Commission V donnera un rapport sur les résultats acquis jusqu'à alors à l'occasion du
Congrès international à New Delhi 1982. On espère que l'AISS sera le forum scientifique pour le projet IRB comme elle l'était pour la légende de la carte mondiale des sols.
E. Schlichting, Président AISS- Commission V
9
Report on the
lind MEETING ON AN 'INTERNATIONAL REFERENCE BASIS FOR SOIL
CLASSIFICATION'
Sofia, Bulgaria, June, 17-19, 1981
After a one-year discussion by correspondence on the problems treated in the first
meeting (see ISSS Bulletin No. 57, p. 19/29), a second meeting was held at the N.
Poushkarov Institute in Sofia from 17to 19June 1981 with a slightly increased circle of
participants (e.g. from Brazil, Canada, China, Romania, Sudan, and Yugoslavia). The
discussion was centred around: 1. the principles of an International Reference Basis
(IRB): 2. the units at the highest levels and their definitions; 3. the principles of their
subdivisions at lower levels; 4. the nomenclature; 5. the diagnostic criteria (only
tentatively); and 6. the follow-up programme.
The participants agreed again that an IRB is needed as a means of communication
for a classification of the soils of the world and for a global exchange of experiences and
information. For this, a system is envisaged consisting of 15 to 20 units at the first level,
which will be subdivided at the second to fourth level, and beyond the fourth level
according to the requirements of the countries concerned. At the first level, the nomenclature shall be descriptive (if necessary with codes), and at the second and third
level, it shall consist of names. Preferably existing names (e.g. of the legend of the
FAO/Unesco Soil Map of the World) should be used, taking into account the definitions related to them (only 'abandoned' names are 'free' for redefinition !). For the
characterization of the soil moisture/temperature regimes at the fourth level the terminology for agro-ecological zones shall possibly be employed.
The definitions of the units at the highest level will be revised by FAO soil scientists
and distributed to the participants for further comments. Diagnostic horizons and
properties shall be used according to the legend of the Soil Map of the World, with
subsequent changes that are already accepted or will be so in the future.
It was agreed that funds shall be sought not only for a coordinator of the work
different groups but also for investigations on the suitability of various laboratory
methods for the determination of diagnostic features at ISM, and eventually for the
support of national institutions working in this field.
Future work shall be guided administratively by a steering committee, consisting of
FAO. UNESCO. UNEP and ISSS representatives and shall be conducted scientifically
by an advisory panel recruited from the members of the Working Group IRB to be formed in the ISSS-Commission V (the Presidents of the National Societies were already
asked to propose the names of possible members). The Chairman of Commission V
shall give a report on the results achieved hitherto on the occasion of the International Congress in New Delhi in 1982. It is expected that the ISSS will be the scientific forum for the IRB project as it was for the legend of the Soil Map of the World.
Id
Bericht über die
II. SITZUNG ÜBER EINE 'INTERNATIONALE REFERENZBASIS FÜR
BODENKLASSIFIKATION'
Sofia, Bulgarien, 17. - 19.6.81
Nach einer brieflich während eines Jahres fortgesetzten Diskussion der in der 1.
Sitzung (s. IBG-Bulletin No. 57, S. 19/20) behandelten Probleme fand in der Zeit 17.
-19.6.81 im N. Poushkarov-Institut in Sofia eine 2. Sitzung mit einem etwas erweiterten Kreis von Teilnehmern (z.B. aus Brasilien, China, Jugoslawien, Kanada, Rumänien, und dem Sudan) statt. Beraten wurden insbesondere über I. die Prinzipien einer
Internat. Referenzbasis (IRB), 2. die Einheiten in den höchsten Niveaus und ihre
Definitionen, 3. die Prinzipien ihrer Unterteilung in niedere Niveaus, 4. die Nomenklatur, 5. (nur tentativ) die diagnostischen Kriterien und 6. das weitere Vorgehen.
Die Teilnehmer stimmten wiederum darin überein, daß eine IRB als Kommunikationsgrundlage für eine Ordnung der Böden der Welt and für einen globalen Austausch
von Erfahrungen und Informationen nötig ist. Dafür ist ein System vorgesehen, das
auf dem 1. Niveau 15-20 Einheiten enthält, die in den Niveaus 2. 4. weiter unterteilt
werden, auf weiteren Niveaus entsprechend den Bedürfnissen des jeweiligen Landes.
Die Nomenklatur soll auf dem 1. Niveau deskriptiv sein (ggf. mit Zahlen-Codes), auf
dem 2. und 3. Niveau durch Namen, möglichst durch existierende (z.B. der Legende der
FAO/Unesco Weltbodenkarte) und zwingend unter Respektierung der mit ihnen
verbundenen Definitionen (nur 'aufgegebene' Namen sind 'frei' für eine neue Definition!), erfolgen und sich zur Charakterisierung der Bodenfeuchte-/-wärmeregime auf
dem 4. Niveau möglicherweise der Terminologie für die agroökologischen Zonen
bedienen.
Die beratenen Definitionen der Einheiten auf dem höchsten Niveau werden von den
Bodenkundlern der FAO überarbeitet und den Teilnehmern zur erneuten Stellungnahme übersandt. Als diagnostische Horizonte und Merkmale sollen die der Weltbodenkarten-Legende verwandt werden, sofern nicht Änderungen schon beraten wurden
oder es künftig werden.
Es wurde beschlossen, daß Mittel angefordert werden sollen nicht nur für einen
Koordinator der Arbeit in verschiedenen Gruppen, sondern auch für Untersuchungen
über die Brauchbarkeit verschiedener Labormethoden für die Bestimmung diagnostischer Merkmale am ISM und ggf. zur Unterstützung entsprechend arbeitender nationaler Institutionen.
Die weitere Arbeit soll durch ein Komitee aus Vertretern von FAO, UNESCO,
UNEP und IBG administrativ geleitet und durch einen Beraterstab wissenschaftlich
geleistet werden, der sich aus den Mitgliedern der bei der IBG-Kommission V zu
bildenden Arbeitsgruppe 'IRB' rekrutiert (die Präsidenten der nationalen Gesellschaften wurden bereits um Namensvorschläge gebeten). Der Vorsitzende der Kommission
V wird auf dem Kongreß in New Delhi 1982 über die bisherigen Ergebnisse berichten.
Es wird erwartet, daß die IBG wie für die Weltbodenkarten-Legende auch für das IRBProjekt das wissenschaftliche Forum sein wird.
E. Schlichting, Vors. d. IBG-Kommission V
Participants were I see group photograph ) :
Prof. R. Tavernier ( Belgium, Dr. Humherto Santos (Brazil/, Dr. J. A. McKeague /Canada), Prof. Xi-Chen
Fang (China), Dr. Baize and Dr. P. Segalen (France), Prof. Dr. eng. N. Florea (Rumania), Dr. Mohamed G.
A. Razig (Sudan). Prof. S. W. BuolandDr. K. W. Flach (USA), Prof. V. M. Fridland ( USSR), Prof. M. Ciric
( Yugoslavia), Dr. T. Boyadgiev, Dr. R. Dudal. and Dr. A. Pécrot (FAO), Dr. M. Jamagne (Unesco). Prof. I.
P. Garbouchev (L'NEP), Prof. E. Schlichting (ISSS), Dr. W. G. Sombroek (ISM), and Prof. I. Atanassov,
Dr. A. Behar, Dr. L. Glogov, Prof G. Gyurov, Dr. A. Hadgiyanakiew Prof. V. Koinov. Dr. S. Krastanor, Dr. N.
Ninov, Prof. M. Penkov. Dr. L. Raikov and Dr. M. Yolevski (Bulgaria).
II
ISSS Commissions V and VI
Report on the
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON 'ARIDIC SOILS'
Jerusalem Israel. March 30 April, 1981
This joint meeting of ISSS-Commissions V (with the Working Group DS) and VI
was prepared and conducted by an Organizing Committee of the Israel Soil Science
Society under the guidance of Dr. Yaalon. Participants were about 40 colleagues from
Israel and 70 from 15 other countries (regrettably few from developing countries
because UNEP was unable to provide the promised funds). The 46 papers during 4
days covered a wide range, from geomorphological and meteorological problems of
aridic areas, to the soil pattern in relation to relief or climate and soil forming processes
in warm and cold deserts, to the ecological conditions and finally to problems of land
use in dry areas. The meeting offered and excellent opportunity to get informed about
geomorphological and climatological aspects of soil genesis, classification and cartography. The ecological aspects including land use were stressed less. The papers wil be
published in special issues of CATENA and GEODERMA. The 23 posters, shown
during 3 days, had an orientation similar to the papers and supplemented them. Since
meetings as well as lodging rooms of the participants were in the Kibbutz Kiryat
Anavim there was ample opportunity for talks within and outside discipline boundaries. This intense interdisciplinary communication was a special, very positive feature of the Conference. The history of the meeting place, the culture of the host country
and the personal contacts between hosts and guests were also adequately treated.
On two 1-days-excursions during the Conference and a subsequent 5-day-excursion
semi-arid and arid landscapes and their soils were demonstrated, and historical sites
were visited. In a sequence of Litho-, Luvi-, Xero- and Yermosols in the Judean Desert
the influence of parent material, climate and age of land surfaces was studied. In the
Jordan Valley the formation of Fluvisols and Solonchaks. especially in relation to relief
(ground water level) was examined. During the postconference tour in the semi-arid
Judean Hills and the Coastal Plain special sedimentological and paleopedological
problems were discussed. In the Western Negev and in the Negev Hills with Areno- an
Xerosols- methods of modern and ancient land use (reconstruction of a Nabatean farm
near Ein Avdat) were observed and geomorphological investigations demonstrated.
The route of the third day led from Sde Boger to Eilat through the spectacular Negev
Mountains where Yermosols with desert pavement and varnish or accumulation of
airborne solutes as well as Fluvisols with takyr formation were studied. North of Eilat a
chronosequence of terraces in the Timna-Valley and of their soils was shown, while
south of Eilat a rest with touristic attractions was made. During the fifth day problems
of irrigation culture in the arid Arava Valley were discussed and a Fluvisol-Solonchaksequence on the Zin alluvial fan near Sedom was observed. At the foot of the old
fortress Massada the participants thanked their highly qualified and deeply engaged
guides. Dr. J. Dan, Dr. R. Gerson and Dr. D. Yaalon, for a sometimes exerting but most
interesting excursion and repeated their thanks for the successful conduct of this very
informative Conference.
E. Schlichting, Stuttgart-Hohenheim. BRD
The description of landscapes and soils (with analytical data) is available as a book
"Aridic Soils of Israel' from the Division of Publications, Volcani Center. Agr.
Res. Org. P.O.B. 6, Bet Dagan, Israel. See the section on new publications.
.2
Prof. Dr. E. Schlichting opening the
Ariilic Soils Conference. Behind thé
lahle the Conference organizers Dr.
Arkley, Prof. Dr. D. H. Yaalon and
Dr. J.Dan (1. tor.).
"... a sometimes exerting hut most interesting excursion...' Prof. Schlichling
expressing the thanks of the participants.
13
Bericht über die
INTERNATIONALE KONFERENZ 'ARIDIC SOILS'
Jerusalem, Israel, 30-3-9-4 1981
Diese gemeinsame Taging der IBG-Kommissionen V (mit der Arbeitsgruppe DS) und
VI wurde von einem l)rganisationskomitee der Israelischen Bodenkundlichen Gesellschaft unter Leitunf von D r - Yaalon vorbereitet und durchgeführt. An ihr nahmen
etwa 40 Kollegen aus i>rae' u n d 70 aus 15 weiteren Ländern teil (bedauerlicherweise
wenige aus entwicklun« lär| dern, weil UNEP die versprochene Unterstützung nicht
gewähren konnte). Die 4 6 Vorträge an 4 Tagen umspannten einen weiten Bogen von
geomorphologischen und meteorologischen Problemen arider Gebiete über die Abhängigkeit des Bodenmusters von Relief oder Klima und die bodenbildenden Prozesse
in warmen und kalten Wüsten zu den ökologischen Bedingungen und schließlich zu
Problemen der Landnuizung in Trockengebieten. Die Tagung bot eine ausgezeichnete
Möglichkeit, sich über geomorphologische und klimatische Grundlagen der Bodengenese, -klassifikation und-kartographie sowie über diese selbst zu informieren, während
die ökologischen Aspekte einschließlich der Landnutzung weniger behandelt wurden
(die Vorträge werden in Sonderheften von CATENA und GEODERMA erscheinen).
Die an 3 Tagen gezeigten 23 Poster waren ähnlich ausgerichtet wie die Vorträge und
ergänzten diese sehr gut. Da Tagungsräume und Quartiere der Teilnehmer im Kibbutz
Kiryat Anavim waren, bot sich über die offiziellen Diskussionszeiten hinaus reichlich
Gelegenheit zu Gesprächen innerhalb und außerhalb der Fachgrenzen. Diese intensive
interdisziplinäre Kommunikation war ein besonderes, sehr positives Merkmal der
Konferenz. Aber auch die Geschichte des Tagungsortes, die Kultur des Gastlandes
und die persönlichen Kontakte zwischen Gastgebern und Gästen sowie unter diesen
kamen zu ihrem Recht.
Auf 2 1 Tag-Exkursionen während und einer 5Tage-Exkursion nach der Tagung
wurden semiaride und aride Landschaften und ihre Böden demonstriert, aber auch
historische Sehenswürdigkeiten gezeigt. In der Judäischen Wüste wurde in einer Sequenz als Litho-, Luvi-, Xero- und Yermosols der Einfluß von Ausgangsmaterial.
Klima und Alter der Landoberflächen studiert und im Jordan-Tal die Bildung von
Fluvisols und Solonchaks in Abhängigkeit besonders vom Relief (Grundwasserstand).
Auf der Nachexkursion wurden im semiariden Judäischen Hügelland und in der
Küstenebene besonders sedimentologische und paläopedologische Probleme behandelt, in der West-Negev und im Negev-Hügelland mit Areno- und Xerosols Verfahren
moderner und historischer Landnutzung (Rekonstruktion eines Nabatäer-Hofes bei
Ein Avdat) sowie geomorphologische Untersuchungen. Der 3. Tag führte von Sde
Boqer durch das landschaftlich sehr schöne Negev-Bergland, wo Yermosols mit Steinpflaster, Wüstenlack und Akkumulation atmogener Soluten sowie Fluvisols mit Takyrbildung studiert wurden, nach Eilat. Nördlich von Eilat wurde eine Chronosequenz
von Terrassen des Timna-Tals und ihrer Böden gezeigt (sowie südlich von Eilat eine
Pause mit touristischen Attraktionen eingelegt). Am 5. Tag wurden Probleme der
Bewässerungswirtschaft im ariden Araba-Tal behandelt sowie eine Fluvisol-Solonchak-Sequenz auf dem Zin-Schwemmkegel bei Sodom demonstriert. Am Fuße der
alten Festung Massada dankten die Teilnehmer den gleichermaßen qualifizierten wie
engagierten Führern. Dr. J. Dan, Dr. R. Gerson und Dr. D. Yaalon, für eine zwar
gelegentlich anstrengende, aber doch höchst interessante Exkursion und nochmals für
die erfolgreiche Durchführung dieser überaus informativen Konferenz.
E. Schlichting, Stuttgart-Hohenheim, BRD
Die Beschreibung von Landschaften und Böden (mit Analysendaten) ist als Buch
"Aridic Soils of Israel' erhältlich von der Division of Publications, Volcani Center, Agr.
Res. Org., P.O.B. 6. Bet Dagan, Israel.
14
Proposed ISSS Working Group AS
PRACTICAL PROGRESS AND NEW TARGETS FOR RESEARCH ON ACID
SULPHATE SOILS
The second international symposium on acid sulphate soils was held in Bangkok from
18th to 24th January 1981. It included a two day field excursion in Thailand and was
followed by a tour in Malaysia from 25th to 30th January. The proceedings were
charaterized by the enthusiasm of both the 120 participants and the organizers-staff of
the Land Development Department of Thailand, the Malaysian Agricultural Research
and Development Institute, and the Agricultural University of Wageningen. Netherlands. The high spot for me was a visit to the Carey Island estate of Harrisons and
Crossfields, where we saw successful management of acid sulphate soils for oil palm
by control of the water table.
Since the first symposium, held in Wageningen in 1972. the problems of acid
sulphate soils have become widely recognized and there has been an upsurge of
research and its practical applications to agriculture, notably in S.E. Asia and West
Africa. It was encouraging that most contributions to this symposium were made by
scientists from developing countries in S.E. Asia. Equally, it was disappointing that
there were no participants from Latin America and only one from Africa.
Discussion focussed on land reclamation and development. The continued pressure
on land resources will demand continued exploitation of acid sulphate soils and other
marginal or difficult land. But it was recognized that the soils are just one element of an
integrated system of land, water, crops and people. Land development has an impact
on many related facets of the environment and different management strategies will be
needed for different physical, economic and social settings.
Solid progress has been made in methods of soil survey and analysis to identify acid
sulphate soils, and in the amelioration of soil problems by liming, flooding and control
of the water table. Attention is now being given to a range of alternative systems of
management and to the environmental impact of land development. Understanding of
the problems has been furthered by theoretical models and experimentation, but it was
recognized that research must move out from the laboratory into the farmers' fields,
both to backup basic research and to demonstrate the practical application of new
management practices.
Acid sulphate soils remain problem soils, and a number of research needs were
identified :
1. There is a big gap between basic research, the development of appropriate technology, and the application of this technology to the land. Expert knowledge of the
distribution patterns of sulphidic soils, the generation of acid and its transport
within the soil and to drainage water, its implications for agriculture, engineering
and the environment, and experience in amelioration and reclamation of these soils
needs to be published in a brief, easily-understandable and readily-available form.
2. We need a common language and nomenclature for communication among soil
scientists, and a common basis for field experimentation and site characterization so
that research experience can be transferred to similar areas.
15
3. We are ignorant of plant physiology, especially of root behaviour, under severely
acid conditions. There is need for basic research and innovative screening or
selection of crop varieties for tolerance to iron and aluminium toxicity and. in the
case of rice, for fast growth.
4. The factors that determine the rate of reduction following flooding, and the rate of
pH rise to levels beyond those at which aluminium or iron toxicity occurs, should be
studied.
5. Models are needed to predict the rate of progress and consequences of reclamation
procedures for acid sulphate soils. These models would have to be built up from
manageable sub-models fitted together. Examples of such sub-models include the
description of voids and their development from season-to-season and year-to-year,
and the relationship between water movement in and through the soil to the
transport and removal of acid and the rate of reduction.
6. A better understanding is required of the variation in the properties of acid sulphate
soils from one region to another: for example, contents of pyrite, iron, manganese,
potassium or clay mineralogy, each of which may determine which reclamation or
management system will be most effective.
7. Applied research should be directed to improvements in low-cost management,
where the constraints are availability of water and fertilizers. In the case of ricebased cropping systems the emphasis should be on minimizing pyrite oxidation and
maximizing the removal of acidity by leaching. Research should be carried out
within a framework of a baseline survey followed by monitoring crop performance,
soil and water composition and hydrology over several consecutive years. Special
attention should be given to the problem of safely discarding the acid surface water.
8. Liming is relatively low doses (several tonnes/ha) has given promising results in
Thailand, but is not always effective elsewhere. The reasons for this difference
should be investigated. Studies on fertilizer application should aim at optimizing the
use of phosphate.
Sustained and coordinated action is clearly required. It was recommended that an
international working group be established with the following tasks:
To pool and evaluate information about both innovative and traditional management systems, some of which are not capital intensive and do not require massive
application of engineering, soil amendments and fertilizers.
To formulate alternative management strategies for acid sulphate soils.
To scrutinize technical proposals in soil characterization and classification ; formulate criteria for recognition of acid sulphate problems; and to prepare guidelines
for experimental methods and characterization of experimental sites, in the context
of their physical and social environment.
- To disseminate their findings, not just as bulletins, but to explore contacts with
development agencies and land users at various levels.
- To convene a third symposium, is four years time, in West Africa.
The proceedings of the second symposium are being prepared for publication in 1981
by ILRI, P.O. Box 45,6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands, with Dr H. Dost as the
editor.
David Dent, Norwich, U.K.
16
IN MEMORIAM
Professor Dr. S. Mattson Honorary Member of ISSS
(1886 1980)
Professor Emeritus Sante Mattson died on 29 May
1980.
He was born in 1886 on a farm in Grevie Parish, county
of Kristianstad in southern Sweden. In 1905 he emigrated to the United States, where he received his
undergraduate education. He did graduate work in colloid chemistry and earned a doctoral degree in Breslau
in 1922. After returning to the United States he continued research on the colloidal properties of soil particles. He was early recognized for his pioneering work
on the electrophoretic mobility, isoelectric precipitation
and amphoteric properties of soil colloids and was appointed docent in 1932 and professor of soil science in
1934 at the Royal Agricultural College of Sweden, Uppsala.
Professor Mattson's work in Uppsala during the
1930's was a direct continuation of his research at the
New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in the United States and included studies
of isoelectric weathering and Donnan equilibria in soil formation, the characteristics of
podzols, and solubility relationships of soil colloids. During the 1940's and early
1950's, Sante Mattson and collaborators published 6 papers on the pedography of
hydrologie podzol series, 11 papers on the acid-base condition in vegetation, litter and
humus, and 13 papers on phosphate relationships of soil and plant. Other areas of
Mattson's research during this period were geochemistry of raised bogs and effects of
excessive liming on leached, acid soils.
Professor Mattson made a profound contribution to soil science. His work was
characterized by creativity, imagination, careful planning, and inductive reasoning.
His fundamental approach to scientific problems may be illustrated by his research on
the soil forming process. In his own words: 'In order to understand the soil forming
process it is first necessary to know something about the behavior of the soil colloids...'
He therefore prepared and studied isoelectric precipitates of iron and aluminum
silicates, humâtes, phosphates, and hydroxides. From the results of these studies he
then derived the general principles governing the development of soil horizons. Finnally. he checked his inductive conclusions by precise deductive methods.
A major reason for Sante Mattson's stimulating influence on soil scientists and the
development of soil science was that he applied chemical and physical laws to the study
of soils. His studies of the influence of the nature of the exchangeable cation and the
composition of the colloid on the ion distribution and the thickness of the electric
double layer, the influence of pH, salt concentration and ratio of acidoids to basoids
on the electric charge of colloid particles, application of the Donnan membrane
equilibrium to the study of ion exchange, the relationships between the structure of the
electric double layer and the zeta potential, flocculation and dispersion, and the
solubility of phosphate in soils render evidence of an incisive thinking that only very
knowledgeable persons can fully appreciate.
As a teacher Professor Mattson was highly esteemed and respected. He stimulated
his students to think about soils in terms of basic principles and to try to answer the
whys of soil behavior. Many soil scientists from abroad have taken the opportunity to
work under his guidance and inspiration.
17
Professor Mattson rendered a distinguished service to many professional societies.
He was Honorary Member of the International Society of Soil Science and of the
Swedish Society of Soil Science, Member of the Royal Swedisch Academy of Agriculture and Forestry, Member of the Royal Society of Science. Uppsala, and Member of
the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. He served as Consulting Editor of Soil
Science for many years and from 1957 as Honorary Consulting Editor. He was
conferred the degree of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy at Uppsala University 1952
and Honorary Doctor of Agronomy at the Agricultural University of Norway in 1959.
Those who came into contact with Sante Mattson have lost a good friend, inspiring
teacher and outstanding scientist.
Erik G. Lotse, Uppsala. Sweden
Dr. C. R. van der Merwe (1891 1980)
Christiaan Rudolp van der Merwe passed away in
Pretoria on 27 September. 1980. A graduate of the
Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch, he was widely
known as the author of'Soil Groups and Subgroups of
South Africa', his doctoral thesis which was first published in 1941 and revised in 1962. He was a true pioneer, for singlehandedly he opened up wide horizons to
a succeeding generation of pedologists in Southern Africa and contributed, to world soil geography, unique
information from the southern hemisphere which at the
time was largely terra incognita. Dr. van der Merwe was
a member of the International Society of Soil Science
and served, at various times, as a Council Member of
the Society representing Africa, and as scientific correspondent of the Empire and Inter-African Bureaux of
Soil. At home, he spent most of his career directing and
co-ordinating soil surveys for irrigation and other state development projects, and
worked tirelessly to promote a love and respect for the soil. He was a founder-member,
in 1953. of what is today the Soil Science Society of Southern Africa, and its first
President. His acute mind and his tenacity earned him many awards and honours; his
sincerity and modesty earned the respect of all who knew him.
J. M. de Villiers. Pretoria. S.A.
IS
NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SOCIETIES
NOUVELLES DES ASSOCIATIONS NATIONALES ET REGIONALES
BERICHTE DER NATIONALEN UND REGIONALEN GESELLSCHAFTEN
Report on the First Inter-African Soil Science Congress
The first Inter-African Soil Science Congress organized by the Organization of
African Unity (OAU) Scientific, Technical & Research Commission, and hosted by the
Ghana Government was held in Accra and Kumasi from November 10 to 15,1980. The
Congress was opened on behalf of the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana by
Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and was attended by the Minister for Agriculture
as well as the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology. It was attended by 53 soil
scientists from 21 African countries spread throughout Africa as follows: 4 North
African countries; 7 West African countries; 4 Central African countries; 3 Eastern
African countries; and 3 Southern African countries.
Six papers reviewing the development in Africa of six branches of Soil Science (Soil
Genesis, Survey and Classification ; Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy ; Soil Fertility ; Soil
Physics and Water Management; Soil Microbiology; Soil Conservation and Erosion
control) were presented by invited speakers. Also delivered by invited speakers were
three papers on training at field level, middle level and University level. The above
papers were in addition to the national papers which were presented by each country on
the present state of soil science development for agriculture in the respective countries.
The need to set up National Soil Survey Services and to strengthen existing ones was
stressed. Also recognized was the need for standardization of methologies for soil
description, analysis and classification. Furthermore, the training of national soil
scientists for research and the establishment of data banks at National and Africa level
were considered to deserve a high priority. Research on organic matter recycling to
reduce pollution of the environment and to increase soil fertilly without too much use
of manufactured fertilizers was also recognized to merit an early attention.
Three days were spent on field excursion to examine soil profiles and to tour
agricultural institutions and farms near Accra and Kumasi as well as en-route from
Accra to Kumasi. Eight soil profiles which included Pellic Vertisol, Vertic Cambisol,
Ferric Luvisol, Solodic Planosol. Luvic Arenosol. Eutric Regosol and Dystric Nitosol
were examined. The discussion on the classification and management of these soils
which were variously used for maize, pineapple and oil palm was at times controversial
but stimulating.
Twelve recommendations which it is hoped would be considered for implementation
by both the OAU and the goverments of Africa were made. These include: the setting
up and strengthening of National Soil Research Institutions to cater for various
disciplines in soil science; organizing training courses in soil science at sub-regional
level ; establishing a soil museum and data bank for Africa ; production of individual
national soil maps on the scale of 1:1 million using the FAO/UNESCO legend, to be
combined into a soil map of Africa ; and establishment of a programme of exchange of
visits between African soil scientists to enhance the exchange of experiences. The full
text of the recommendations and the report of the Congress may be obtained from the
Director, Inter-African Bureau of Soils, OAU/STRC, B.P. 1352, Bangui. Central
African Republic.
N. N. Nyandat, Nairobi, Kenya
19
Further to Mr. Nyandat's report it should be mentioned that the Regional Office for
Africa of FAO has currently a programme of soil correlation and land evaluation for
the continent, through regional sub-committees. In close contact with the Interafrican
Bureau of Soils, meetings are being organized alternatively in the Eastern African and
the Western African regions. National members and technical observers congregate at
such meetings, to report on progress in soil survey and land evaluation in the countries
concerned; to present papers on selected topics; and to study soils and soil conditions
in the host country (Kumasi 1970, Accra 1972, Nairobi 1974, Dakar 1975, Addis
Abeba 1976. (Cotonou 1977), Lusaka 1978, Bathurst 1979, Arusha 1980).
The results of most of these meetings are published in FAO's World Soil Resources
Reports. Information on forthcoming meetings can be obtained from: Dr. Rachim
Sant'Anna. Regional Soil Resources Officer, FAO Regional Office, P.O. Box 1628.
Accra, Ghana.
Secretary-General
Compte-Rendu du premier Congres Inter-Africain de la Science du Sol
Le premier Congrès Inter-Africain de la Science du Sol organisé par la Commission
de Recherche Scientifique et Technique de l'Organisation de l'Unité Africaine (OU A)et
accueilli par le Gouvernement de Ghana, s'est déroulé à Accra et Kumasi du 10 à 15
novembre 1980. La session d'ouverture était présidée par le Ministre ghanéen des
Affaires étrangères au nom du Vice-président de la République du Ghana, en
présence du Ministre de l'Agriculture ainsi que du Ministre de l'Industrie, Science et
Technologie. Un nombre de 53 pédologues ont assisté au Congrès, provenants de 21
états africains, repartis sur le continent comme suit : 4 pays de l'Afrique du Nord, 7 pays
de l'Ouest. 4 pays du Centre, 3 pays de l'Est et 3 pays dus Sud.
Six documents recapitulants le développement en Afrique des six spécialités de la
science du sol (pédogenèse, cartographie et classification; chimie et minéralogie des
sols; fertilité des sols; physique du sol et aménagement d'eau; microbiologie du sol;
conservation du sol et la défense contre l'érosion) étaient présentés par des conférenciers invités. Egalement ont été prononcés trois exposés sur la formation au niveau du
terrain, au niveau intermédiaire et au niveau universitaire. Les documents-ci étaient
supplémentaires aux documents nationaux qui étaient présentés par chaque pays sur
l'état actuel du développement de la science du sol pour l'agriculture dans les pays
respectifs. La nécessité d'établir des Services Nationaux Pédologiques et de renforcer
les services existants était soulignée. On a reconnu aussi la nécessité de standardiser les
méthodologies pour la description, l'analyse et la classification des sols. En plus, la
formation des pédologues nationaux pour la recherche et l'établissement des banques
de données au niveau national et africain étaient jugés de mériter une priorité élevée. Il
était reconnu que la recherche sur le recyclage des matières organiques vaut une
attention hâtive, afin de diminuer la pollution de l'environnement et d'augmenter la
fertilité des sols sans emploi excessif des engrais industriels.
Trois jours ont été réservés pour l'excursion de terrain afin d'examiner des profils et
de visiter des instituts agronomiques et des fermes dans la proximité d'Accra et de
Kumasi ainsi qu'en route d'Accra à Kumasi. Huit profils ont été examinés, y compris
Vertisol pellique. Cambisol vertique, Luvisol ferrique. Planosol solodique. Arénosol
luvique. Régosol eutrique et Nitosol dystrique. Des discussions parfois controversées
mais stimulantes ont été menées sur la classification et l'aménagement de ces sols, qui
étaient utilisés de diverses manières pour maïs, ananas et palmier à huile.
2U
Douze recommendations ont été faites dans l'espoir qu'elles seront considérées pour
exécution par l'OUA et par les gouvernements de l'Afrique. Elles comprennent:
l'établissement et le renforcement des Instituts Nationaux de Recherche Pédologiques
pour des disciplines différentes du science du sol ; l'organisation des cours de formation
en pédologie au niveau sub-régional; l'établissement d'un muséum des sols et une
banque de données pour l'Afrique; la production des cartes nationales des sols à
l'échelle de 1:1 million basées sur la légende FAO/UNESCO pour l'établissement d'un
programme d'échange de visites entre les pédologues africains afin d'améliorer l'échange d'expériences. Le texte intégral des recommendations et le compte-rendu du
Congrès peuvent être obtenus du Directeur, Bureau Inter-Africain des Sols,
OUA/STRC. B.P. 1352, Bangui, République Centrafricaine.
N. N. Nyandat, Nairobi, Kenya
En plus du compte-rendu ci-dessus il faudrait mentionner que le Bureau Régional
pour l'Afrique de la FAO ait un programme en cours portant sur la corrélation des sols
et l'évaluation des terres pour le continent, par sous-comités régionaux. En relation
étroite avec le Bureau Inter-Africain des Sols des réunions sont organisées alternativement dans les régions de l'Afrique de l'Ouest et de l'Est. Membres nationaux et
observateurs techniques se réunient pour rendre compte du progrès de la pédologie et
de l'évaluation des terres dans les pays concernés; pour faire des exposés aux sujets
sélectionnés; et pour étudier des sols et des conditions des sols dans le pays d'accueil
(Kumasi 1970, Accra 1972. Nairobi 1974. Dakar 1975. Addis Abeba 1976. (Cotonou
1977), Lusaka 1978, Bathurst 1979. Arusha 1980).
Les résultats de ces réunions sont publiés dans les Rapports sur les Ressources en
Sols du Monde de la FAO. Information sur les prochaines réunions peut être obtenue
de: Dr. Rachim Sant'Anna, Regional Soil Resources Officer. FAO Regional Office. P.
O. Box 1628, Accra. Ghana.
Secrétaire-général
Malaysian Society of Soil Science
The proceedings of the Conference on Classification and Management of Tropical
Soils (CLAM ATROPS). held in Kuala Lumpur in 1977 are ready for despatch as from
April 1981. Participants to the conference are entitled to a free copy. In view of the long
laps of time since the Conference the correct posting addresses are being confirmed.
Therefore a circular has been sent to all participants, who are requested to confirm their
correct mailing address. The copy will not be mailed until such confirmation has been
received. The proceedings will be sent by seamail. For airmail despatch the additional
expenses in US dollars to be paid by bank draft are as follows:
Australia
15.00
India
13.00
New Zealand
16.00
Canada
21.00
Japan
15.00
U.S.A.
21.00
England
21.00
Netherlands
17.00
U.S.S.R.
21.00
Information: Chew Poh Soon, Malaysian Society of Soil Science. P.O. Box 2644.
Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.
2\
Finnish Society of ISSS
Professor Emeritus Dr. Jouko Vuorinen 70 years
Professor Jouko Ensio Vuorinen was born on 16th October 1910 in Turku, where he also graduated from
senior secondary school. He was awarded the degree of
Agronomist and Master of Agriculture and Forestry in
1937. and Licenciate and Doctor of Agriculture and
Forestry in 1940.
He started his scientific career in 1937 as a Chemist at
the Institute of Soil Science, Agricultural Research Centre. Here he held the posts of Junior and Senior Agrogeologist and was nominated as the Director and Professor of the Institute in 1947. In 1960 he was nominated
to the position of Director General of the Agricultural
Research Centre, which he occupied until his retirement
in 1973.
Jouko Vuorinen's research work was mainly carried out during his time at the
Institute of Soil Science as a scientist and as the Director. His principal line of research
consisted of the chemical and physical properties of soil and agrogeoiogy. He was
particularly interested in the study of factors affecting soil fertility and his name will
remain permanently in the history of soil testing in Finland. He was also one of
Finland's pioneers in the field of microelement research.
Jouko Vuorinen realized the necessity for international scientific cooperation for a
small country like Finland at an early stage in his scientific career and especially when
responsible for agricultural research as the Director General of the Agricultural Research Centre. During his long career he built up good relations with numerous foreign
scientists and scientific institutes in Europe as well as in other continents. He travelled
widely in different parts of the world, was an excellent observer and wrote precise travel
reports, many of which were published.
Jouko Vuorinen took an active part in the work of several international scientific
organizations such as NJF (Scandinavian Association of Agricultural Scientists) and
ISSS (International Society of Soil Science). His activities in the area of the Food and
Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) deserve special mention. (He
was a member of Finland's FAO Committee for nine years and participated in the 16th
FAO Conference in 1971 as a member of the Finnish delegation. He served as a
member of the Executive Committee of the FAO/European Commission on Agriculture (ECA) for the period 1970-72. and took part in the work of several FAO/ECA
subcommittees and working groups.
Ten years ago prof. Vuorinen performed the duties of a chairman in the organizing
meeting of the Finnish Society of I.S.S.S.
The Agricultural Research Centre. Annales Agriculturae Fenniae and his former
colleagues edited a jubilee issue (Ann. Agric. Fenn. Vol. 19, No 2 1980) in honour of
prof. Jouko Vuorinens 70th birthday.
L. Urvas, Vantaa, Finland
22
Soil Science Society of Nigeria
The Eight Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria was held in Benin
City, Bendel state, Nigeria from 31 st November to 5th December, 1980.
The theme of the conference was "Soil Management and Food Production in the
80's in Nigeria'.
The conference was a joint meeting of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria and the
National Soil Correlation Committee. Activities during the conference included presentation of invited papers and scientific papers in areas of soil management ; field trips
to areas supporting oil palm; description and correlation of the soils - Ultisols and
Oxisols derived from sandstone and shale. Election of officers for a two year term was
done. They are :
President:
Vice President :
Treasurer:
Assistant Secretary:
Ordinary Members:
Dr. D. O. Ataga
Financial Secretary: Dr. G. Lekwa
Prof. A. A. Agboola
Editor-in-Chief:
Dr. R. A. Sobulo
Dr. G. O. Obigbesan
General Secretary: Prof. E. Enweazor
Dr. M. C. Igbokwe
Dr. U. Omoti and Mr. E. O. U. Okoye
The Nigerian Society has now 150 members and all of them are to become ISSS
members as well!
A new department to cater for soil management in Nigeria was established in the
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The immediate projects of
this department for 1981 ,'83 development plan include a) soil erosion study and control
in Nigeria; b) establishment of analytical laboratories in three ecological zones, and c)
soil map of Nigeria at a scale of 1:500.000.
Address of the Secretariat: c/o Department of Soil Science, University of Nigeria
Nsukka, Nigeria.
Israel Society of Soil Science
Elections for the executive council were held during the month of January and 58 of
the 114 members of the society (of which 78 are members of the ISSS) elected the
following officers to function as from February 1981 :
Prof. Israela Ravina, Chairperson
Dr. J. Halevy. Secretary
Dr. N. Albasel, Treasurer
Prof. Y. Muallem, Member
Prof. I. Shainberg, Member
Mr. D. Sadan, Member
Adress: Both the secretary and the treasurer are located at the Institute of Soils and
Water. A.R.O., The Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50-200, which will be the
address of the society.
La Sociedad Colombiana de la Ciencia del Suelo
In vita a los cientificos del suelo, tanto nacionales como extranjeros, a participar en el
Primer Congreso Nacional de la Ciencia del Suelo y VII Coloquio de Suelos a
realizarse en Villaviciencio, desde el 4 al 10 de Octubre de 1981, que tendrân como
tema central el 'Uso y manejo de los suelos de la Oriniquia y la Amazonia'
Para mayores antécédentes dirigirse a: Junta Directiva Nac. de la S.C.C.S.
Apartado aéro 51791 en Bogota Colombia o : Comité Regional de la S.C.C.S. Apartado
aéro 2621 en Villaviciencio, Colombia.
23
New Zealand Society o f Soil Science (Inc)
The Officers and the Council of the New Zealand Society for the period 1980/82
were elected as follows :
President:
Prof. J. K. Syers, Department of Soil Science, Massey University.
Private Bag, Palmerston North.
Past-President: Dr. W. M. H. Saunders, Ruakura Soil and Plant Research Station,
M.A.F., Private Bag, Hamilton.
Vice-President: Dr. C. W. Childs. Soil Bureau, DSIR, Private Bag, Lower Hutt.
Secretary:
Dr. R. Lee, Soil Bureau, DSIR, Private Bag. Lower Hutt.
Treasurer:
Dr. R. J. Furkert, Soil Bureau. DSIR. Private Bag. Lower Hutt.
Council :
Mr. L. C. Blakemore, Mr. J. G. Bruce, Mr. I. B. Campbell. Dr. J. G.
Hawley. Dr. J. A. Pollok. Mr. P. J. Tonkin.
Address of Secretariat: c/o Soil Bureau DSIR. Private Bag. Lower Hutt. New
Zealand.
Effective April 1st. 1981, Dr. M. Leamy has become Director of the Soils Bureau
DSIR. His predecessor Dr. R. B. Miller has been appointed Chief Director, Resources
Divisions DSIR.
NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY OF SOIL SCIENCE COUNCIL 1980-198Z
Back Row J G Bruce . LC. Blakemore . P.J. Tonkin . J.G. Hawley . J A . Pollok . I. B. Campbell
From Raw
24
W.M.H. Saunders .
R. lee ,
J.K Syers .
R.J. Furkert.
C.W. Childs
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
RELATIONS INTERNATIONALES
INTERNATIONALE VERBINDUNGEN
Report on the
UNEP/FAO SECOND EXPERT MEETING ON A WORLD SOILS POLICY
February 1981, Rome
A 'World Soils Policy' is understood to be a World Policy for the Use of Soils (une
politique mondiale en matière de sols et utilisation de terres; eine Weltstrategie für die
Nutzung von Böden ; una politica mundial de suelos y uso de la tierra).
About 45 scientists*1 from both national and international institutions and organizations met in Rome to defire and elaborate such a policy, and to prepare a plan-ofaction for its implementation. A first, preliminar meeting on the subject was held in
March 1980 (see ISSS Bulletin 57). As before, the meeting was organized by UNEP
(United Nations Environment Programme. Nairobi), with the cooperation of FAO.
Among those invited were several members of the ISSS Executive Committee.
Elaboration of the World Soils Policy (WSP)
The participants commented, often in writing, on a set of three draft papers, prepared by UNEP consultants Peter Ahn. F. Suarez de Castro and Hubert Kelley. These
drafts were 1) Elements of a World Soils Policy, a 37-pages technical background
document, 2) Suggestions for elements of a plan-of-action, 3) Executive Summary of a
proposed World Soils Policy and plan-of-action.
The detailed document on the elements of a World Soils Policy is being re-written for
publication, on the basis of the comments received. The concise document on the
Policy itself, and the plan-of-action agreed upon at the meeting, have subsequently
been submitted for approval to UNEP's Governing Council. Some excerpts of that
document follow (some editorial changes may still take place).
The Policy was defined as follows:
'In recognition of the fact that soil is a finite resource, and that continuously
increasing demands are being placed on this resource to feed, clothe, house and provide
energy for a growing world population and to provide worldwide ecological balance,
the governments of the nations of the world agree to use their soils on the basis of sound
principles of resource management, to enhance soil productivity, to prevent soil erosion and degradation, and to reduce the loss of good farmland to non-farm purposes.'
Its objectives are:
- to increase and apply scientific knowledge of the soils of the world to their potential
for production, and their sound management;
- to encourage and assist countries in improving the productivity and management of
their soils and in reducing soil degradation;
- to encourage the management and conservation of soil, reduce pollution, and
improve the quality of water and air.
- to develop and promote agricultural production systems that assure the use of the
soil on a sustained basis;
- to enlarge and improve the world's supply of arable agricultural land through
irrigation, flood control, and reclamation;
- to slow the loss of productive agricultural and forest land to other purposes;
- to monitor changes in soil quantity and quality and in land use; and
25
to bring to the attention of the people of the world, and their political leaders in
particular, the extent of world soil degradation and its seriousness; its causes and its
remedies.
It is addressed to:
international and regional organizations, including UNEP. FAO and Unesco.
who will share in promoting and supporting the international and regional activities
suggested ;
national governments and non-governmental organizations, without whose support
the recommendations cannot be carried out;
individuals who. conscious of their individual and collective responsibilities for
safeguarding soil, water and related resources, are willing to lend support to the
principles of a World Soils Policy.
»«9
»J
BhL^fl
m
•fl
" See group photograph. In alphabethical order:
Dr. S. V. Adu (Ghana)
Prof. A. Balba (Egypt)
Dr. Rufu Bazan (IICA)
Prof. P. Buringh (Netherlands)
Prof. Dr. M. Ciriç (Yugoslavia)
Dr. Abeilard de Castro (Brazil)
Dr. F. Fournier (Unesco and SCOPE)
Acad. 1. Gerasimov (USSR)
Prof. E. G. Hallsworth (1F1AS)
Dr. M. Jamagne (France)
Dr B T . Kang(IlTA)
Dr. J. S. Kanwar (1CRISAT and ISSS)
Dr. G. H. Knowles (Australia)
Mr. N. T. Konijn (IIASA)
Dr. S. Krastanov (Bulgaria)
Dr. R. B. Miller (New Zealand)
Ambassador H. E. G. Nanetti Concha
(Columbia)
Mr. N. N. Nyandal (Kenya)
Dr. A. Osman (ACSAD)
Prof. E. Schlichting (BRD)
Dr. A Smyth (UK)
Dr. W. G. Sombroek (ISM and ISSS)
Dr. R. A. Sobulo (Nigeria)
Dr. F. Suârez de Castro (IICA)
Prof. I. Szabolcs (Hungary)
Prof. A. van Wambeke (USA)
Prof. A. Zavaleta (Peru)
Prof. Zhao Qiguo and
Prof. Zhu Xianmo (China)
UNEPStafTand consultants included Dr. S. Evteev; Dr. R. Olembo; Dr. I. P. Garbouchev; Dr. H. Kelly and
Prof. P. M. Ahn. FAO Staff participating were Dr. R. Dudal: Dr. A. Pécrot; Dr. P. Arens; Dr. T. Boyadgiev;
Mr. D. A. Caponera; Mr. G. M. Higgins; Dr. L. T. Kadry; Mr. M. F. Purnell; Dr. D. Sanders; Dr Go Ban
Hong; Mr. R. Sant'anna and Mrs. H. Tonkin.
20
The Plan-of-Action for the World Soils Policy was summarized as follows:
a) The appropriate international Organizations should:
- Promote a sound use of land and water resources.
Continue and intensify efforts to create awareness of the necessity for rational
resource use among all sections of the world community, including governments
and non-governmental organizations; assist where required to provide training, to
mount publicity campaigns, seminars, conferences and the provision of publications.
Intensify efforts to promote optimum land use for sustained production on a
worldwide basis and interregional and international cooperation in the use and
development of land and water resources.
- Promote cooperation between governments in adopting sound land use practices,
particularly in the international watersheds.
Encourage international development financing agencies to pay particular attention to the needs of agricultural development projects which include the conservation and improvement of soil and water resources, the provision of inputs and
incentives at the farm level, and establishment of the necessary institutional structures as major components.
Assist governments, on request, to establish appropriate legislation, institutions
and procedures to enable them to mount, implement and monitor appropriate land
use and soil and water management programmes.
- Encourage the expansion of bilateral assistance to developing countries in resources
management from the developed countries, foundations, and other institutions.
- Help countries to improve their capabilities to assess the agricultural potential of
their soils, to expand the wise use of fertilizers and to apply improved soil management.
Select critical areas of resource degradation for application of experimental pilot
programmes of resources improvement.
Harmonize the collection and exchange of information on practical applications of
soil research among international organizations and institutions, in particular:
i promote the adoption of an international reference system of soil classification
ii with a view to facilitating transfer of experience and technology;
iii develop simple soil capability classifications and land evaluation methods;
develop common methodologies for monitoring soil degradation and changes in
land use.
- As a final objective, incorporate the principles of national land use and the conservation and development of soil and water resources into a comprehensive international resource law. in the form of a World Soil Charter.
Hold recommended regional meetings to consider world soil problems and suggest
that the General Assembly of the United Nations convene a world conference on
soils policy.
b) All national Governments should :
-
Commit themselves to the sound use of land and water resources.
Develop a land use policy and the necessary legislative framework to implement it.
Increase awareness among all sections of the community of the problems caused by
the loss of productive soil and of the need for prompt action.
Identify, map and assess the potentials and constraints of soil resources, map
current land use, assess the present extent of soil degradation, predict foreseeable
hazards and develop methods for their prevention.
Adapt soil capability classifications and methods of land evaluation to local conditions.
27
Develop programmes to ensure the availability and wise application of fertilizers
and other actions appropriate to the improvement and sustained use of the soil.
Establish an adequate legislative and institutional framework for monitoring and
supervising soil conservation development and management.
Impose obligations on users, with the aim of ensuring the most rational use of land,
through the use of tax exemptions, subsidies, credit facilities and other types of
financial devices.
Train an adequately paid professional cadre of extension workers to assist farmers in managing soil and water resources effectively.
Establish and fund programmes, where needed, of reforestation, irrigation, and
reclamation of saline, flooded or other land not presently productive.
Actively pursue research needed to develop systems of farming that combine adequate production with resource protection and are compatible with socio-economic
and cultural conditions.
Help develop local institutions to secure the leadership, assistance and cooperation
of farmers in applying soil and water improvement and conservation practices.
Provide an adequate programme of environmental education in support of resource management activities.
In the document also some specific recommendations were made to UNEP, FAO,
and Unesco for future action:
Strengthen the current effort of the United Nations system to assist the developing
countries to set up national institutions for soil inventories and land evaluation.
This should include the training of scientists in fields related to soil management and
conservation.
- Establish a clearing house for the collection and exchange of information on the
practical applications of soil research among international organizations and institutions.
Support the establishment of the proposed International Board of Soil Resources
Management.
Support the development of an international reference base for soil classification.
Support the preparation of guidelines and methodologies for practical land capability evaluation systems at the national level, on the basis of a global framework for
land evaluation.
Support the development of methods for land resources monitoring at both global
and pilot levels.
Review of on-going international activities
As in the case of the March 1980 meeting, advantage was taken of this international forum of soil scientists to exchange information on current international programmes on soil- related subjects. Most of the reviews given built upon earlier statements (see Bulletin 57 for their listing).
Mentioned for the first time was among others the EEC programme on 'Land Use
and Rural Resources' in Western European countries, presented by Dr. Jamagne from
France*1. Staff-members of FAO elaborated on some new inter-Agency activities.
These are a) The just completed FAO/UNEP's "Soil Degradation Map at scale
1:5,000,000 for North Africa and the Middle East', with an explanatory text, in
•' It is the intention of the editor of the ISSS Bulletin to have short articles on individual international
programmes printed in successive issues, for general information of members. In the present issue please find
descriptions of the mentioned EEC programme, of the "European Cooperative Research Network on Trace
Elements*, and of the 'Save-Our-Soils' project of IFEAS. The next issue will contain among others a review
of SCOPE'S 'Land Transformation Project.'
28
English, French and Arab (see this Bulletin's Book Review Section); b) the recently
started FAO/UNEP programme to develop methodologies for assessment of desertification at different mapping scales;c) the nearly completed FAO/UNFPA study
of 'Potential Population Supporting Capacity', concentrating on the African situation ; d) an action programme, including a series of on-going regional workshops by
FAO/SIDA, on the application of integrated soil management, soil conservation and
recycling of organic wastes in agriculture; e) the on-going consultations by
FAO/Unesco/UNEP/lSSS on an 'International Reference Base for Soil Classification'
(see this Bulletin).
FAO also prepared a detailed policy paper on a strategy for 'Soil and Water
Conservation', for consideration by the sixth session (25 March - 3 April 1981) of its
standing Committee on Agriculture. It is a well-wrought document and contains
several specific project proposals at local and national level. Also a draft 'World Soil
Charter' was prepared by FAO. at the recommendation of the 1974 World Food
Conference. Although elements of these FAO papers were included in the WSP
document, it did not become quite clear whether future FAO-efforts will indeed be
harmonized with UNEP's World Soils Policy activities as discussed above, and viceversa. Certainly, a coordinated action is needed, in view of the present scarcity of international funds and the urgency of effective action on soil conservation at local and
regional level in many countries!
W. G. Sombroek
NEW:
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR CHEMICAL SCIENCES
IN DEVELOPMENT (IOCD)
An ambitious Unesco project has just got underway to link chemical scientists
throughout the world to programmes benefitting the Third World. The project is the
newly created International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development
(IOCD). Its aim is to provide training, research and communications as well as technical services through a network of co-operating institutions. Unesco provides the
secretariat for the undertaking.
Collaborating in IOCD's programmes is the University of Missouri in the USA
which is offering to investigate chemical samples from universities in developing
countries that do not have the necessary analytical facilities. Also participating are the
University of Ljubljana in Yugoslavia, and the Institute of Organical Natural Products
at Tenerife. Spain.
From: Unesco Features, No. 760.
29
THE 'SAVE OUR SOILS' PROJECT
Introduction
Arising from the considerable concern expressed at the U.N. Environment meeting
in Stockholm in 1972, a working party was convened in 1976, by U.N.E.P., the
International Federation of Institutes of Advanced Study (IFIAS) and the Council of
Ministers of the U.S.S.R., to enquire into the causes of soil degradation and the loss of
productive soil.
The purpose of the Working Party, which was held at Samarkand, was to enquire
into what steps should be taken and what area of knowledge should be investigated in
order to reduce or control this loss.
The Samarkand Working Party identified five causes of the loss of productive land.
They are (a) a progressive exhaustion of the plant nutrient sypplying power of the soil, due to
leaching of nutrients in drainage waters or to long continued removal of nutrients
in plant and animal production;
(b) the erosion and loss of topsoil associated with cultivation of sloping land and
overgrazing of pastures in semi-arid, sub-humid and humid lands. This was associated with desertification in semi-arid areas, even on flat and gently sloping
lands, and with restriction of cultivation by deep gullying in better watered areas;
(c) by erosion associated with deforestation, associated with commercial timber cutting, extraction of firewood, forest fires, or shifting cultivation - particularly in the
wet tropics;
(d) loss of production in irrigated areas due to salinization and water logging:
(e) absolute loss of land to agricultural activities because of the extension of urban
areas, railways, airfields, etc.
The techniques for the control of these degradative processes, except the last, have
already been worked out. They include the use of fertilizers to restore nutrients ; the use
of contour cultivation, strip cropping, contour banks and grassed waterways to control
erosion on sloping lands under cultivation, the use of fertilizers and controlled grazing
to maintain a protective vegetative cover in grazing lands; the use of minimum cultivation and surface mulch to protect the soil surface against rain-drop action : the use of
agro-forestry techniques to provide wood fuel supply and alternative income or food
sources on land too steep for normal cultivation ; and by drainage and control of water
table depth in irrigation areas. For all these the principles are known, although they
may need to be adapted to the needs of any particular environment.
As a result of their considerations, the Working Party set up a steering committee
including representatives of FAO, UNEP, Unesco and GKNT., which recommended that IFIAS should develop a project which would investigate the extent to
which socio-economic factors were responsible for the failure to apply known technologies for the control of soil degradation in developing countries. The intention was to
establish a co-operation with six to eight centres in the warm semi-arid and wet tropical
regions.
30
In 1978 the I FI AS Board appointed as Project Director Dr. E. G. Hallsworth, Chairman of the Land Resources Laboratories of CSIRO, Australia, and previously Chief of
their Division of Soils. He took up responsibilities in May 1979 (Present address:
IFI AS/SOS, Science Policy Research Unit of the University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex BNI-9RF, U.K.)
Plan of Action
The plan of action envisaged the project being undertaken in two stages. In Phase I,
which would take about one year, the Project Director would visit potential centres for
co-operative study, and in discussions at each centre would try to identify the various
restraints. Funding for this phase was provided mainly by UNEP. Phase II was to
include desk studies of the relationships between soil degradation and the biophysical
factors of climate, topography and soil, with such social factors as population density,
size of holding, etc. superimposed on this. The major feature in Phase II, however, was
to be an analytical report on a series of case studies undertaken at each centre in areas
where soil degradation had occurred. Towards the conclusion of Phase I, in May 1980 a
Working Party was held in Sochi, in the Soviet Union, attended by representatives of
most of the centres that had agreed to co-operate, together with several Soviet scientist
and a representative from China. This Working Party developed a format for the basic
questionnaire to be used in the case studies of Phase II. This would be used to enquire
into the extent to which the appropriate remedial measures had been attempted and the
success that had attended them.
The first restraints to be considered are the biophysical - the soil; its nature and depth; slope of the land surface; nutrient status.
- the climate; total rainfall, distribution and reliability; frequency of high intensity
storms, etc.; temperature regime; wind pattern.
- the biotic factors; natural vegetation, extent and manner of removal; present land
use pattern; plant, insect and animal pests of the present crops.
The second are socio-economic -
agronomic practices
water management practices
conditions of land tenure
excessive fractionation of the family holding
total holding is too small to allow the farmers to sacrifice the ground required for
contour banks, tanks, etc.
population density and age pattern
capital available and source of credit
type and quantity of power available for cultivation (hand labour, oxen, tractors)
inadequate arrangements for the maintenance of the equipment required for the new
technology
marketing arrangements for the cash crops
transport facilities
health of the population
source of fuel for cooking, etc., and lack of viable alternatives to present practices
traditional or religious restraints on what work can be done, or what animals kept
the financial or legislative proposals that are associated with the new technology are
prejudical to the wealthier members of the village community and so generate
hostility
.'1
- bad communication between officials and farmers, or between different government
departments. These are related to presence and quality of the advisory services, the
education level of the cultivators
- the technological restraint that the technology proposed may be inappropriate to the
soil or to the climatic environment.
Part of the work of Phase I was to discover what data was available in the different
centres, and in particular to find people in the centres whose existing programme ran
close to the ideas of the SOS project. Such people were found at several of the centres.
Because of the importance of deforestation in causing accelerated erosion and land
degradation in the tropical areas, a second working party was organized to take place
at Dehra Dun to look at the socio-economic effects and causes of different forest
management practices.
Work on Phase II began on September 1st 1980. with later starting dates in some
countries, with the close co-operation of three of the international agricultural research
centres: the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) at Hyderabad. India, the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture
(UTA) at Ibadan, Nigeria, and the International Fertilizer Development Centre
(IFDC) at Muscle Shoals , U.S.A., whilst the Centro Internacional de Agricultura
Tropical (CIAT) at Cali, Colombia, provides accommodation and help. In all, by the
end of 1980 investigations were in progress, or planned to start in the New Year, in
twelve countries. These were Bangladesh, Colombia, Jordan, India, Kenya, Nigeria,
Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Venezuela and Zaire. The West African studies
were co-ordinated through UTA, and those in India were undertaken by IFDC and
ICRISAT.
The Sochi Working Party recommended that an attempt should be made to have a
study centre in a country with a planned economy. An agreement for a centre in China is
now awaiting formal approval in Beijing.
In addition to the country desk studies and the regional case studies, a comparative
study is being made ofland tenure, soil conservation, and forestry legislation in each of
the co-operating countries. When this study, which is being made by Tyrrell Burgess of
the North East London Polytechnic, is completed, it is planned to hold a small
workshop to be attended by representatives of each country to discuss this legislation,
and the extent to which it is being implemented.
It is planned to hold a final working party of co-operators from all the countries
concerned at Wageningen, Holland to discuss the findings and to draft the final report.
If funds permit, a mid-term working party will also be held.
Finance for Phase II has been supplied mainly by the Dutch Government, the
Japanese Shipbuilding Research Foundation, and UNEP.
Partial funding of the Dehra Dun workshop was provided by NORAD and the
Indian Government.
E. G. Hallsworth. Brighton, U.K.
32
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL SOIL CLASSIFICATION WORKSHOP HELD
IN RWANDA (June 2-12, 1981)
The Institut des Scienes Agronomiques de Rwanda (ISAR) and the Ministry of
Agriculture of Rwanda (MINAGRI) cohosted the 4th International Soil Classification Workshop organized by the Soil Management Support Services (SMSS) of the
Soil Conservation Service of the USDA and the University of Puerto Rico. Funding
for the workshop was provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development
(AID) and the Algemeen Bestuur voor Ontwikkelings Samenwerking (ABOS. the
Belgian Technical Assistance Program). The workshop is the fourth in the series - the
first workshop was in Brazil in 1976, the second in Malaysia-Thailand in 1978, and the
third in Syria-Lebanon in 1980 and was attended by 60 participants from 25 countries.
The theme of the workshop was on the classification and management of soils in
tropical mountain areas. The purpose of the workshop was, as in the previous workshops, to test and refine the U.S. Soil Taxonomy for soils in the intertropical areas.
Seven international committees (1) are now working to develop criteria and make
proposals to refine So/7 Taxonomy for ist better use in the intertropical areas and the
workshop was organized to discuss the mandates of four of the committees - the committee on soils with low activity clays (ICOMLAC), the committee on Oxisols (ICOMOX), the committee on soil moisture regimes in the tropics (ICOMMORT), and the
committee on volcanic ash soils (ICOMAND). More than 40 technical papers were
presented and the subject matter ranged from properties of the Sombric horizon (by
Prof. Dr. R. Frankart, Belgium) to the application of geostatics for the evaluation of
spatial variation of soil properties (by Prof. Dr. G. Uehara, Hawaii). Discussions on
management of these weathered soils was led by Drs. J. M. Spain (CIAT, Columbia)
and B. T. Kang (UTA. Nigeria). The participants also received an excellent briefing of
Some of the participants in the Rwanda Workshop relax beside a profile pit. Mr. Henri Neel (standing j
was the main organizer of the conference and in the front row are from the left. Dr. Leamy (New Zealand.
Chairman ICOMAND), Dr. Beinroth (Puerto Rico, Chairman of the Steering Committee) and Dr. Comerma
( Venezuela, Chairman oflCOMERT).
33
the soils of Rwanda through the papers on the geomorphic setting (H. Neel), micromorphology (H. Eswaran), Oxisols (E. Birasa). mineralogy (G. Stoops), soil moisture
and temperature regimes (R. Tavernier), Ultisols (R. Marijnissen), and management
properties (V. Rutunga).
More than 16 pedons. with excellent supporting data, were shown during the field
trips. Around Gisenyi, close to the picturesque Lake Kivu, the participants were able to
evaluate soils formed on recent ash and cinder deposits. Situated at elevations of 1.500
to 2,500 m the area is suitable for temperate crops like Irish potatoes and strawberries.
Dr. Van der Zwaag of the International Potato Centre's field station at Ruhengeri
briefed the participants on management of the soils for potatoes. The remaining part of
the field trip was devoted to the soils formed on transported and reworked sediments. If
the original material had resistent materials like quartz or petroplinthic gravel, the
stone-lines in the soils were composed of these materials. Frequently, dislodged saprolitic or textural B material which were rounded during transport, are now present in the
soils and act as the stone-line. These rounded bodies are termed pedovites. The
highlight of the field tour was the soils with sombric horizon. Although many were
convinced that the sombric horizon is a buried epipedon, there was general agreement
that it is morphologically important and should be used as a diagnostic horizon.
Much of the discussions were focused on the definition of the limit between the
Oxisols and the highly weathered members of the Ultisols and Alfisols. There was a
concensus of opinion that an oxic horizon at shallow depths was more important to use
and management of the soils than a clay increase with depth unless there was less than
40 percent clay in the surface horizons. The latter kind of soils were brought together in
a new category in the Alfisols and Ultisols as the kandi taxa. These and other proposals
from ICOMLAC and ICOMOX will be further discussed and submitted for testing.
The ICOMAND chairman. Dr. M. L. Leamy, led the discussion on the definition of
the Order of Andisols and the suborders. There was considerable disagreement to the
use of'Trop' at the suborder level and it has been dropped from the key to the suborders.
The organizers have indicated that the proceedings will be published by mid-1982
and may be obtained from Dr. H. Eswaran, the Program Leader of SMSS. This
workshop, as expressed by Dr. Sombroek, Director of the International Soil Museum
during his closing addres, is an example of international cooperation which can serve as
a model for similar efforts. The flawless and almost perfect manner in which the
workshop was organized is a credit to the organizers. Mr. H. Neel and his Rwandese
colleagues must be congratulated for the local arrangements. The technical excellence
and overall organizational aspects of the workshop was assured by the untiring work of
Dr. F. H. Beinroth of the University of Puerto Rico and Dr. H. Eswaran of SMSS, the
Chairman and Secretary of the workshop, respectively. The workshop also provided a
forum for the scientists from the less developed countries to express themselves and we
take this opportunity to thank USAID and ABOS to make it financially feasible.
S. Paramananthan, Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia, and J. Samki, Ngomeni, Tanzania
') For the addresses of the Chairmen see ISSS Bulletin no. 57. page 25. There are two changes: the
Chairman oflCOMOX is now Dr. S. W. Buol, Department of Soil Sciene, North Carolina State University,
Raleigh. NC 27607, USA; the Chairman of ICOMERT (Vertisols) is Dr. J. Comerma, CENIAP-MAC,
Apartado 4653, Maraeay-200, Venezuela. Dr. F. Moormann heads not only the ICOMLAC committee, but
also a new one wet soils (ICOMAQ).
Dr. H. Eswaran is now Program Leader of the USAID/SCS Soil Management Support Services (cf. ISSS
Bulletin no 56. page 20). His address is: SMSS. c/o Soil Conservation Service. P.O. Box 2890. Washington.
DC 20013, USA.
34
THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY PROGRAMME
ON LAND USE AND RURAL RESOURCES
Introduction
A general outline of Co-ordinated Agricultural Research in the European Community is given in a recent Commission publication entitled: i n Step in Europe' (1).
The present article deals only with the Land Use and Rural Resources part of the
Commission's research programme. This Land Use programme was established in
1975 following the Council Decision to set up 4 major agricultural research programmes for the period 1975-1978 (2). Three years of co-ordinated effort pinpointed
the major problems associated with land use and rural development within the Community thus ensuring subsequent Council approval for a five-year comprehensive
programme on Land Use 1978-1983 (3). This programme, co-ordinated by Dr. P.
Ryan, has recently been organized under three expert groups, each with its own
chairman. The work programme is structured as follows:
Land Use and Rural Resources Programme. (Co-ordinator: P. Ryan)
1. Land Resource Evaluation (Chairman: D. B. S. Fitch/R. H. Watkins)
- Soil Map
- Forage Map
- Methodology projects
2. Land Resource Development and Conservation (Chairman : G. A. Oosterbaan)
- Drainage/Reclamation
- Soil Degradation
3. Integrated Rural Development (Chairman : L. van der Plas)
- Integrated case studies
- Multiple job holding/job flexibility
- Factors influencing land prices and the impact of land prices on land use.
The background to the work of the expert groups on Land Resource Evaluation and
Integrated Rural Development is given in the proceedings of two recent seminars
sponsored by the Commission of the European Communities, through the coordination of Agricultural Research Division of the Directorate General for Agriculture (4,5). The proceedings ofa third seminar on soil degradation, which forms part of
the Land Resource Development and Conservation programme, are in press (6). The
drainage and reclamation aspects of the same programme will be the subject of a
seminar in 1981.
Land Resource Evaluation
The soil map of Europe (scale 1: 1.000.000) has, in co-operation with FAO, reached
an advanced stage of preparation. The soils information has been up-dated for the nine
Member States, as well as Greece, Portugal and Spain. The map and accompanying
bulletin will be ready for printing in 1982.
The development of a land suitability system for specific crops is considered an
important follow up. Presently a methodological approach to the production ofa forage
map of Europe is under investigation.
The future orientation of the Land Resource Evaluation part of the programme will
depend on the outcome of five methodology projects presently in progress across the
Dutch/German border and in France, Ireland, Italy and the U.K.. These have already
served to draw attention to the contrasting methods of land assessment. It is hoped that
an integrated European approach will emerge before this phase of work is completed in
1981. Already workshops have been arranged to make recommendations on a uniform
land evaluation methodology and the need for computerized land use data.
35
Land Resource Development and Conservation
The Land Resource Development part of the programme concentrated on eight projects on multiple land use. drainage/reclamation and soil degradation. Generally, scientific projects of this nature are of long duration, but it was decided to confine these
preliminary projects to three years. The multiple land use aspects of this programme are
now part of the Integrated Rural Development programme. New priority proposals on
soil degradation and drainage/reclamation will be considered before the end of 1981.
Integrated Rural Development
The main concentration of effort in this section of the programme pertains to eight
integrated case study projects undertaken in disadvantaged areas of the community.
These projects, in addition to three projects on multiple job holding/job flexibility, have
only recently been approved. The case study projects will investigate the methodology of
a multi-disciplinary approach to integrated case study problems, within an administrative area, as well as the following aspects:
(a) A survey of current land use and land use potential, in the context of multiple land
use.
(b) The interrelations between farming, part-time farming, marginal farming, tourism, industries, services and other activities.
(c) A survey of institutions/agencies affecting the development of the area, especially
those mobilizing and influencing local potential and articulating local needs.
(d) Proposals for development strategies including policy evaluation of both EEC
measures and national measures.
The first phase of this programme wil examine methodology. This will necessitate a
mid-term evaluation. In the second phase of the programme the proposed studies will
be undertaken according to an agreed methodology.
General Programme Co-ordination
Besides sharing in the funding of projects the Commission funds meetings, seminars,
workshops and exchange visits by European scientists as part of their co-ordination
programme. This type of co-ordinated approach is most effective is resolving common
problems and opening new avenues for common agricultural policy. It facilitates coordination between programmes and encourages contact with individual scientists and
International Organizations engaged in similar type work.
A. J. Cole, Rathagan. Ireland.
References
1. European Communities - Commission. EUR 6720 - In Step in Europe - Co-ordinated agricultural
research of the European Economic Community. Luxembourg Office for Official Publications of the
European Communities. 1980-42 pp., 15 figures 16.2 x 22.4 cm.
2. Official Journal of the European Communities. No. L. 199 of 30.7.1975 p. 37.
3. Official Journal of the European Communities. No. L. 316 of 10.11.1978 p. 37.
4. European Communities - Commission. EUR 6875 Land Resource Evaluation - Edited by J. Lee
and L. van der Plas. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 1980
111, 144 pp., num. tab. and fig. - 16.2 x 22.9cm.
5. European Communities - Commission. EUR 6876 Selected socio-economic aspects of land utilization. Edited by M. J. Gardiner and C. Husemeyer. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the
European Communieties 1980 - VI. 308 pp.. - num. tab. and fig. - 16.2 x 22.9 cm.
6. Soil Degradation - in press.
36
THE EUROPEAN COOPERATIVE NETWORK ON TRACE ELEMENTS
The FAO Regional Office for Europe has created several cooperative networks in
view of stimulating and coordinating research activities in particular fields. One of
these is the "FAO-European Research Network on Trace Elements'.
It was established at a consultation meeting held in Bonn in March 1977. On the
basis of a preliminary report by Dr. M. Sillanpää (Finland), the objective of the
network was defined to undertake joint research projects on trace elements according
to an agreed methodology and division of labour.
In order to comply with the structure of other F.A.O.-networks, different subnetworks were formed which concentrate on particular subjects and a coordinator
centre of the network was designated.
Thus the outline of the cooperative programmes and activities are as follows:
1. Subnetwork A: the estimation of the trace element status of soils and plants by
chemical analysis.
During the period 1977-1981 comparative chemical analysis were carried out on a
number of soil and plant samples. Soils were analysed for:
- their total trace element contents
- available contents by a proposed reference method of Lakanen and Erviö
(0.5 n NH 4 OAc + 0.02 M EDTA pH 4.65)
available contents by the method commonly used in the cooperating countries
and laboratories
- available contents by the method of Soltanpour and Schwab (1 M N H 4 H C 0 3 +
0.05 M DTPA pH 7.6)
Trace elements to be determined are divided into three categories, namely:
- without real analytical problems: Fe, Mn. Zn, Cu
- with average difficulties: Mo, Co. B, Ni, Cr, Cd, F
- those presenting severe analytical problems: Pb, Hg, Se, As, Sb, Sn, Br, Ti.
The future activities of this subnetwork are oriented towards the following selected
topics :
- Criteria to evaluate the influences of trace elements on plant growth and crop
quality. In this context pot experiments and biotests will be carried out in order to
provide additional information on trace element status of the soil and to
complement and confirm chemical soil analysis. The proposed pot trials should
also enable the calculation, for the different trace elements under study, of
'coefficients of transfer' from soils to plants.
- Guidelines to be defined as critical levels of trace elements in the soil as well with
regard to deficiencies as to toxicities.
2. Subnetwork B: the influence of sludge and waste products on trace element inputs
and environmental effects.
The main activities and topics studied may be summarized as follows:
- Estimation of real trace element inputs in soils
- Availability and differential uptake of trace elements present in the soil as native
compounds or artificial enrichment
- Acceptable maximum input of trace elements with sludges, effluents and waste
products
- Analysis of sludge and compost.
Future activities consist of evaluating data of field experiments going on in different
countries with sludge or town waste compost. In this way the correlations between
heavy metal uptake by different plant species and the soil contents are being
calculated.
37
3. Subnetwork C: Evaluation of the effect of trace elements in animal and human
nutrition
This cooperation started with an exchange of information. An initial analytical
evaluation of methods for determining trace elements in feedstuffs has been
summarized. The trace element contents of the most important bulk feedstuffs
produced in different countries, as well as in animal products in relation to the
intake with feeds are studied.
An inventory of available information on ongoing research in different countries
will be made.
4. Subnetwork D : Passage of airborne trace elements to agricultural soils. The
participants of this subnetwork will quantify the flow of airborne trace elements
to agricultural soils and crops.
Two defined aspects are :
- Project D ( 'Atmospheric trace element deposition' is mainly aimed at
determining European regional differences in the atmospheric precipitation of
selected trace elements by a common and reliable method. To achieve this,
participating laboratories have been asked to carry out samplings and
observations in rural areas.
- Project D2 'Atmospheric trace element input to crops', quantifying the
concentrations of selected trace elements in plants (primarily grass) and due to
atmospheric pollution, in different regions of Europe. The method of isotope
dilution is recommended as a convenient tool to distinguish root uptake from
aerial contamination.
The contact addresses of the different subnetworks are:
Subnetwork A: Prof. Dr. A. Cottenie, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Coupure Links 533, B-9000 Gent, Belgium (acting also as the coordination centre).
Subnetwork B: Prof. Dr. D. Sauerbeck, bundesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtschaft - Bundesallee 50-3300 Braunschweig, Germany.
Subnetwork C: Prof. Dr. J. Bokori, University of Veterinary Sciences, H-1400
Budapest, Hungary.
Subnetwork D: Dr. Jens Chr. Tjell. Technical University of Denmark - 2800
Lyngby. Denmark.
After the initial consultation in Bonn ( 1977), two progress meetings were held, one in
Ghent (1979) and one in Dublin (1981). Detailed technical reports on these
consultations can be obtained from FAO-Rome or from the coordination centre in
Ghent. This centre has also available a limited number of copies of three supporting
technical publications entitled:
- 'Essential and non-essential trace elements in the system soil-water-plant' by A.
Cottenie et al, 1979.
- 'Trace elements in animal nutrition', by J. Bokori et al, 1981.
- 'Trace elements in agriculture and in the environment', by A. Cottenie (ed) 1981.
A total of 57 research institutions, located in 18 European countries are now
participating in the Network. These countries are: Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Federal Republic of Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal. Spain. Sweden, Switzerland and United
Kingdom.
Scientists from institutions belonging to countries not yet involved in the Network
are welcome to attend the consultations.
A. Cottenie, Ghent, Belgium
38
INTERNATIONAL TRAINING COURSES/COURS INTERNATIONAUX
DE FORMATION/INTERNATIONALE FORTBILDUNGSKURSE
Course in Soil and Plant Analysis
A six week course in Soil and Plant Analysis will be held in Reading, England during
the summer of 1982. The course is offered jointly by the Department of Soil Science.
University of Reading (Professor Alan Wild) and the Tropical Soils Analysis Unit of
the Land Resources Development Centre, ODA (Mr. John Varley).
The course is aimed at giving experienced, practising analysts in soil science and
plant nutrition greater understanding of the management of a modern agricultural
analytical laboratory, including building design, sampling procedures, general and
specific analytical techniques, simple instrument maintenance and interpretation of
data. Al least fifty per cent of the course will be spent on practical work and will include
visits to agricultural laboratories of major commercial companies and research institutions. The fee will cover accommodation which will be in Halls of Residence at the
University,
The probable period of the course is 14th June-23rd July 1982 and details will be
available in October 1981.
Enquiries to: Professor A. Wild, Department of Soil Science, University of Reading,
London Road, Reading, RG1 5AQ, England.
IXth ISTRO conference, Osijek 1982
The 9th Conference of the International Soil Tillage Research Organization will be
held in Osijek, Yugoslavia, from 21-25 June, 1982.
The Organizing Committee has selected 'Ameliorative Tillage' as the Conference's
main topic. The other topics will be:
1. Reduced and zero tillage
2. Anthropogenic compaction of soil
3. The role of tillage in weed, desease and pest control.
4. Tillage in systems of plant production.
5. Tillage in dry farming and tillage in connection with irrigation.
6. Tillage in relation to economics and energy.
7. Tillage and its influence upon the physical, chemical and biological properties of
soil.
8. Mathematical models in tillage - model experiments.
9. New tools and implements in tillage.
10. Tillage and fertilizing in intensive crop production.
The conference fee wille be no more than 450 DM (US S 215). It is foreseen that the
closing date for completion and despatch of papers will be 31st December, 1981, the
papers to be in accordance with criteria which will be sent once preliminary registrations have been received from all participants. A poster session is planned.
The definitive program for the Conference - academic activities, related excursions,
poster-session, ladies program - will be sent after the registration of all participants and
papers.
Information: Dr. 2ugec Ivan, Executive Secretary, Organizing Committee for the
9th Conference of the International Soil Tillage Research Organization, the BioTechnical Research and Teaching Center, Institute of Agriculture, Osijek, Tenjska c.
bb, 54000 Osijek, Yugoslavia.
J9
MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIA
REUNIONS, CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIUMS
TAGUNGEN, KONFERENZEN, SYMPOSIEN
Meetings etc., marked with*, are organized or sponsored by the ISSS/Réunions etc.,
indiquées avec*, sont organisées ou favorisées par rAISS/Tagungen usw., angezeigt
mit*, werden organisiert oder unterstützt von der IBG.
1981
11 th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage, Grenoble. France, 26 August -7
September 1981.
Information: ICID, 48 Nyaya Marg. Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021. India or:
Organizing Committee of ICID. Avenue d'Innsbruck, 38029 Grenoble Cedex. France.
*Darwin Centenary Symposium on Earthworm Ecology, Grange-over-Sands, U.K., 29
August-4 September 1981.
Information: Dr. J. E. Satchell. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. Merlewood Research Station, Grange-over-Sands. Cumbria LAI 1 6JU, U.K.
18th Congress of the Brazilian Society of Soil Science, Salvador. Brazil, 30 August-5
September 1981.
Information: L. P. Ribeiro. Instituto de Geociência de UFBa, C.P. 4097. 40000
Salvador, BA. Brazil.
2nd International Seminar on Laterization Processes, Sâo Paulo, Brazil. 3-13 September
1981.
Information: Prof. A. Carvalho. 2nd International Seminar on Laterization Processes, Instituto de Geociências - USP, C.P. 20.899. Sâo Paulo, SP, Brazil.
7th International Clay Conference, Bologna/Pavia, Italy 6-12 September 1981.
Information: Prof. F. Veniale. Chairman Organizing Committee 7th International
Clay Conference, c/o Instituto Mineralogia Petrografia, Universita, Via Bassi 4, 27100
Pavia, Italy.
international Symposium on Soil Problems in Urban Areas, West-Berlin. G.F.R., 7-9
September 1981.
Information: Prof. Dr. E. Schlichting, PF 106 (05100), D-7000 Stuttgart 70. B.R.D.
Autumn Meeting and A.G.M. of the British Society of Soil Science, Aberdeen, 7-11
September 1981.
Information: Dr. D. V. Crawford, University of Nottingham. School of Agriculture.
Sutton Bonington. Loughborough LE12 5RD, U.K.
•Meeting on Handling of Soil Data, Paris. France, 14-17 September, 1981.
Information: Mr. M.-C. Girard. Laboratoire de Pédologie, INA P/G, 78850
Thiverval-Grignon, France.
Colloque International sur la Recherche scientifique et technique et le développement du
tiers-monde, INSAde Lyon, France, 15-17 septembre 1981, INSA/Unesco/AUPELF.
Information: INSA. Mission de la Recherche. Bâtiment 209, 20 avenue AlbertEinstein. 69621 Villeurbanne Cedex, France.
Meeting of Experts on Ecology in Practice: Establishing a Scientific Basis for Land
Management, Paris, France, 22-29 September 1981, Unesco/ISCU.
Information: ICSU Secretariat, 51 Bd de Montmorency. 75016 Paris, France.
4(i
First National Congress of Soil Science and 7th Colloquium on Soils 'Use and Management of the Soils in the Orinoco and Amazon Regions', Villavicencio, Colombia, 4-10
October 1981,
Information: Dr. FabioGavavito, Unillanos, AA 2621, Villavicencio,Colombia, or:
Dr. Alfredo Leon. A A 51791, Bogota, Colombia.
International Co-ordinating Council of the Programme on Man and the Biosphere
(MAB) (7th Session), Paris, France, 30 September-2 October 1981, Unesco.
Information: MAB. Division de Sciences Ecologiques, Unesco, 7 Place de Fontenoy
75700 Paris. France.
2nd Expert Consultation on Land Evaluation Guidelines, Rome, Italy, 5-8 October 1981.
Information: Chief, Conference Programming Section, FAO, Via délie Terme di
Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy.
Symposium on Terrestrial and Aquatic Humic Materials, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
USA, 4-5 November 1981.
Information: R. F. Christman. Dep. Env. Sciences and Eng., UNC School of Public
Health 201 H, Chapel Hill. NC 27514 USA.
Conference on Remote Sensing of Arid and Semi-arid Lands, Cairo, Egypt, 4-10 November 1981.
Information: Remote Sensing Center, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, P.O. Box 8618, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107, U.S.A.
Joint Annual Meetings of ASA, CSSA and SSSA, Atlanta, Ga. U.S.A., 29 November 4 December 1981.
Information: Dr. M. Stelly, 677 South Segoe Rd., Madison. WI 53711. U.S.A.
3rd National Symposium on Individual and Small Community Sewage Treatment, Chicago, 111. U.S.A., 14-15 December 1981.
Information: C. Burg, ASAE, P.O. Box 410. St. Joseph, MI 49085, U.S.A.
Irrigation Scheduling Conference, Chicago, 111., U.S.A., 14-15 December 1981.
Information: C. Burg, ASAE, P.O. Box 410. St. Joseph, MI 49085, U.S.A.
1982
International Conference on Chemistry and World Food Supplies (CHEMRAWN II).
Manila, Philippines, 2-5 February 1982.
Information: Dr. Charles S. Dennison, Executive Director, Council on Sciene & Technology for Development, 2010 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20036,
USA.
12th International Congress of Soil Science: Managing Soil Resources to Meet Challenge of Mankind, New Delhi, India, 8-16 February 1982.
Information: Dr. T. D. Biswas, Organizing Secretary 12th International Congress of
Soil Science, Division of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Indian Agricultural
Research Institute, New Delhi-110012. India.
First International Symposium on Soil, Geology and Landforms Impact on Land
Use Planning in Developing Countries, Bangkok, Thailand, 1-3 April 1982 Information: Dr. Prinya Nutalaya, Symposium Secretary, Landplan 1. Asian Institute of
Technology, P.O. Box 2754, Bangkok, Thailand.
41
Meeting on Soils, Pests and Diseases, London, April 1982, joint meeting BSSS and
British Society for Plant Pathology.
Information: Dr. D. V. Crawford, University of Nottingham, School of Agriculture.
Sutton Bonington. Loughborough LE 12 5RD, U.K.
Conference on Hydrology and Water Resources, Melbourne, Australia, 11-13 May
1982.
Information: 1982 Hydrology and Water Resources Conference, the Institution of
Engineers. Australia, 11 National Circuit, Barton Act 2600, Australia.
Symposium on Changes in the Earth's Surface as Revealed bv a Decade of Observations
from Space, Ottawa, Canada, 17-29 May 1982, COSPAR.
Information: COSPAR, 51 Bd de Montmorency, 75016 Paris, France.
13th European Regional Conference of the ICID, Lisbon, Portugal. May-June 1982.
Information: ICID, 48 Nyaya Marg. Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-11021, India.
2nd Scientific Meeting of the Recultivation of Technogenous Landscapes, Gyöngyös.
Hungary, 15-17 June 1982.
Information: Dr. E. Bakondi-Zâmory, Secretary, Centre of Plant Protection and
Agrochemistry. P.O. Box 127, Budapest, Hungary.
9th Conference of the International Soil Tillage Research Organization (ISTRO),
Osijek, Yugoslavia, 21-25 June 1982. General theme: 'Ameliorative Tillage'.
Information: Prof. V. Mihalic, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Simunska cesta 25, 41000 Zagreb, Yugoslavia.
4th International Conference on Permafrost, Fairbanks, Alaska, 18-22 July, 1982.
Information: Executive Secretary, Polar Research Board, National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20418, USA.
Symposium on Hydraulic Applications of Remote Sensing and Remote Data Transmission, Exeter, U.K., 19-30 July 1982.
Information: A. I. Johnson, Woodward-Clyde Consultants, 2909 West 7th Avenue,
Denver, Colorado 80204, U.S.A.
9th International Colloquium of Plant Nutrition, Warwick, England, 22-28 August
1982.
Information: Dr. M. A. Scaife, NVRS. Wellesbourne, Warwick, CV35 9EF, U.K.
Symposium on Weathering, Soils and the Sedimentary Cycle, McMaster University,
Ontario, Canada, 22-28 August 1982.
Information: Dr. L. J. Evans, Department of Land Resource Science, University of
Guelph, Ontario. NIG 2WI, Canada.
11th INQUA Congress, Moscow, USSR, August 1982.
Information: INQUA Secretariat, Kwartairgeologie, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels 1050,
Belgium.
*7th International Colloquium of Soil Zoology. Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, 30 August2 September 1982.
Information: Prof. Ph. Lebrun, Ecologie animale. Place Croix du Sud 5, BI348
Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Autumn Meeting and A.G.M. of the British Society of Soil Science. Theme: The Changing Landscape, Aberystwyth, 13-16 September 1982.
Information: Dr. D. V. Crawford, University of Nottingham, School of Agriculture,
Sutton Bonington, Loughborough LE12 5RD, U.K.
42
19th General Assembly of the ICSU, Cambridge, U.K., 20-24 September 1982.
Information: Seer. General, ICSU, 51 Bd. de Montmorency, 75016 Paris, France.
12th Congress of the International Association of Sedimentologists, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. September 1982.
International Svmposium on Polders of the World, Agora. Lelystad, Netherlands. 4-9
October 1982.
Information: Ir. J. Luijendijk, Delft University of Technology, Dept. of Civil Engineering. Stevinweg 1. K5, 47, P.O. Box 5048. 2600 GA Delft. Netherlands.
4th International Congress of the International Association of Engineering Geology,
New Delhi. India, 1-6 December 1982.
Information: Mr. Srivastava K.N., 47-48, Pragati House. Nehru Place. New Delhi110019. India.
15th Brazilian Meeting on Soil Fertility, Campinas. Brazil.
Information: B. van Raij, C.P. 28, 13100 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Meeting on Soil Conservation Research, Campinas, Brazil
Information: F. Lombardi Neto, C.P. 28, 13100 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
1983
Meeting on Biological Processes and Soil Fertility, Reading, England. 4-9 July 1983.
(Joint meeting of ISSS Commissions III and IV).
Information: Dr. D. S. Jenkinson, Rothamsted Experimental Station. Harpenden.
Herts., AL5 2JQ, U.K.
(Note: this is a revised announcement of the 1983 meeting previously called 'Interaction of Roots and Micro-organisms and the Cycling of Nitrogen', attributed to
Commissions III and VI).
3rd International Svmposium on microbial Ecology, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
7-12 August 1983.
Information: The Kellogg Center for Continuing Education, Michigan State University. East Lansing, Michigan 48824. USA.
Geomaterials: Rocks, Concretes, Soils, Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A., September 1983,
IUTAM.
Information: Secretary-General IUTAM. Chalmers University of Technology,
Fack. S-40220 Gothenburg 5, Sweden.
Centennial Commemoration of the Mount Krakatau Explosion, Indonesia.
Information: Committee on 100th Anniversary of Mt. Krakatau Explosion, Lipi, Jl.
Tenku Chik Ditiro 43, Jakarta, Indonesia.
1984
12th International Congress on Irrigation and Drainage, Fort Collins, Denver Colorado, U.S.A.
Information: Seer. ICID.48 Nyaya Marg. Chanakyapuri. New Delhi-110012, India.
The 10th International Congress of Agricultural Engineering, Budapest, Hungary.
Information: Gy. Szalai, CIGR Congress Coordinator. Comité National Hongrois
de la CIGR. Kossuth Lajos tér 6-8. IV.425, H-1372 Budapest, V., Hungary.
43
NEW PUBLICATIONS
NOUVELLES PUBLICATIONS
NEUE VERÖFFENTLICHUNGEN
Titles of new publications are listed here for information. Orders can however not be handled by the
ISSS Secretariat but should be placed through a bookstore or directly with the publishers.
Les titres de nouvelles publications sont mentionnés à titre d'information. Le Secrétariat de l'AISS
ne peut toutefois pas se charger de commandes, celles-ci devant être adressées à une librairie ou directement aux éditeurs.
Die Titel neuer Veröffentlichungen sind hier zur Information angeführt Bitte richten Sie Ihre Bestellungen nicht an das IBG Sekretariat sondern an den Buchhandel oder direkt an die Verlage.
Review of Research on Modern Problems in Geochemistry, Unesco Earth Sciences No. 16, F. R. Siegel, editor.
Unesco, Paris, 1979,290 p.
The last three decades have seen important changes of emphasis in the earth sciences. During this relatively
short span, the new concepts of global tectonic evolution and a much broader understanding of the early
phases of crustal evolution during Precambrian times have gained universal acceptance. At the same time,
new methods developed for field and laboratory work, and modern data processing have greatly increased
the volume and precision of available information. Geochemistry has emerged in the process as a key
discipline, progressively increasing its relevance to many other branches of science. For theoretical reasons
alone, a modern review of geochemistry would be justified.
Moreover, in view of the rapidly rising demand for agricultural products, minerals and energy to satisfy a
fast-growing, raw-material-consuming world population, it is appropriate to ascertain the natural resources
of the earth which must provide the materials for such a development. We need to know the particular
conditions which were responsible for the formation of our natural resources those already exploited and
those not yet discovered - within the context of the general evolution of the earth. Geochemistry will also be
called upon in the struggle to ensure that an ecological balance is maintained in man's natural environment
air, soil and water.
Of special interest to soil scientists are the contributions on weathering of rocks and formation of soils ; the
role of major and minor elements, in the nutrition of plants, animals and man ; and the excesses and
déficiences in rocks and soils as related to plant and animal nutrition.
Price: FF 95.00.
Orders lo: Unesco National Distributors.
Analvsis with Ion-Selective Electrodes, Second edition. P. L. Bailey. Heyden. London. Philadelphia and
Rheine, 1980. 247 p. ISBN 0-85501-490-3.
Since the first edition of this book, the use of ion-selective and gas sensing probes has grown steadily and a
greater understanding of the mechanism by which sensors operate has been gained. All this progress has been
incorporated into the second edition which retains the dual aim : to provide the analyst with the information
necessary lo assess the suitability of elecirodes or probes for particular analyses and to assist development of
analytical methods of the required accuracy.
This book is devoted to the theory, performance and applications of various types of electrode, probe and
sensor. Also covered are the experimental behaviour of electrodes and probes, practical procedures, and doit-yourself ways of manufacturing electrodes. Tables and diagrams illustrate the operation and properties of
the various devices described and full references are provided for each chapter.
Price: S 19.50; £ 8.60; DM 40.50.
Orders to: Heiden & Son, 247 South 41 Street, Philadelphia. U.S.A.; Spectrum House, Hillview Gardens,
London NW4 2JQ. England; Münsterstrasse 22, 4440 Rheine. West Germany.
Analog modelling of transient moisture (low in unsaturated soil. G. P. Wind. Agricultural Research Report
894. Pudoc. Wageningen. 1979. 54 p. ISBN 90-220-0713-8
Hydraulic and electronic analog models are developed for the simulation of moisture flow and accumulation in unsaturated soil. The analog models are compared with numerical models and checked with field
observations. Application of soil physical knowledge on a soil technological problem by means of steady
staje considerations, pseudo-steady calculation, numerical models and analog models are compared.
Some examples of application of analog models on drainage requirements are given. From these it
appeared that drain spacing is important to avoid water logging, but that drain depth is more important to
obtain workable conditions.
Price. Dfl. 10.00 plus postage.
Orders lo: Pudoc. P.O. Box 4 6700 AA Wageningen. The Netherlands.
44
Environmental Geochemistry, A Holistic Approach. J. A. C. Fortescue. Springer-Verlag, New York, Heidelberg and Berlin, 1980, 347 p. ISBN 3-540-90454-9 (in U.S.A. 0-387-90454-9).
This publication is volume 35 in Springer's series Ecological Studies. Geochemistry is defined as the study
of the role chemical elements play in the synthesis and decomposition of natural materials of all kinds.
Landscape geochemistry deals with the study of the environment that occurs at or near the daylight surface
of the earth. This book bridges a gap that exists between general geochemistry and the science of the total
environment. It docs this in three ways. First, it provides a description of a philosophy that is common to all
chemical investigations carried out in the environment. Second, it presents interlocking principles and
concepts for the study of the geochemistry of the environment. Third, it describes ways in which the discipline
as a totality may be applied by geochemists and other scientists who study the migration of chemical elements
and substances within the environment.
The author slates in the preface that this book is 'a general, introductory statement of the current status of
a discipline for environmental geochemistry, the scope of which should appeal to young scientists who wish
to make contributions to a discipline that is in the formative stage; new opportunities for specialization are
evident at almost every turn.'
Each chapter has a summary and conclusions and mentions some discussion topics. Many ISSS members
will find this an interesting and useful publication. The book, cloth-bound and well-illustrated with over 200
figures and tables, has a relative low price.
Price: DM 69.00. cloth-bound.
Orders to: Lange & Springer, Postfach. Heidelberger Platz 3, D-1000 Berlin 33, West Germany, or:
Springer Verlag, 175 Fifth Avenue. New York. NY 10010, U.S.A.
Use of Sedimentary Pyrites in reclamation of Alkali Soils. R. Singh, editor. Fertilizer Association of India and
Pyrites. Phosphates & Chemicals Ltd., 1979, 220 p.
In reclaiming sodic soils a wide range of amendments are in use. Recent research and development work
has shown that sedimentary pyrites can be effectively used also. To review the pyrites based sodic soil
reclamation technology, a seminar was organised at Lucknow. India, in March 1978. The present proceedings contain papers on: pyrites as alkali soil amendment (12 papers); pyrites for ameliorating nutrient
déficiences (4 papers); and techno-extension strategies (3 papers). The book also contains a list of recommendations, a resume and the inaugural addresses.
Orders to: The Fertilizer Association of India, Northern Region. Near Jawaharlal Nehru University, New
Delhi 110067. India.
Agricultural Production: Research and Development Strategies for the 1980's. Conference reports. 1980.
An international conference with this title was held in Bonn. Federal Republic of Germany from 8 12
October 1979. The conference brought together leading scientists from a wide variety of disciplines who are
concerned with and have extensive experience in addressing the food production needs of developing
countries. Their assignment was to provide the governments of these countries and assistance agencies with
advice and recommendations concerning where future investments in tropical agricultural research and
development should be placed in order to meet world food needs through the remainder of this century.
The conference focused on the natural resource base that sustains agriculture, and state-of-knowledge
reports were prepared on soils, water, energy, and biological resources. These reports were distributed to all
participants prior to the conference and served as a common starting point for discussions by working
groups organized around these same four resources. Utilizing the findings of the working groups, as well as
presentations and discussions during plenary sessions, an editorial committee formulated a summary report
that presents the conclusions and recommendations of the conference. Reports available as a result of the
conference are the summary : Agricultural Production : Research and Development Strategies for the 1980's,
as well as the background reports: Soils. Water. Energy. Biological Resources, and the conference Plenary
Addresses by Rainer Offergeld and Arturo R. Tanco, Jr.
Orders to: The Rockefeller Foundation. 11}3 Avenue of the Americas. New York, NY 10036, U.S.A..
or: German Agency for Technical Cooperation. Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1 D-6236 Eschborn. West
Germany.
Irrigation. International Guide to International Irrigation Organizations and Institutions. MIC Publication
No. 7. 1980. 165 p., ISBN 0-08-026363-1.
This guide is intended for policy makers, planners, managers and research, extension and teaching staff
interested in locating organizations concerned with irrigation. This unique booklet lists 864 organizations in
109 countries with information provided by the organizations themselves. The entries are arranged alphabetically by country and contain name, address, etc.. as well as the principal fields of activity or interest.
The guide includes also a name index, subject index, a country index and an index of abbreviated names
and acronyms.
Price: S 46,00. less for developing countries
Orders to: Pergamon Press. Headington Hill Hall. Oxford 0X3 OBW. England: Fairview Park. Elmsford,
NY 10523, U.S.A.; or offices in Australia. Canada. West Germany. France. Developing countries should
contact IIIC. P.O. Box 49. Bet Dagan. Israel; or P.O. Box 8500. Ottawa. Canada KIG 3H9.
45
Land and Water Development. Bibliography. IL Kl. Wageningen.
Bibliography 14, 1977. 168 p. Price: Dfl. 15,00.
Bibliography 15, 1979. 86 p. ISBN 90-70260-565. Price: Dfl. 8.00.
Bibliography 16, 1979. 120 p. ISBN 90-70260-573. Price: Dfl. 12.00.
These bibliographies announce recently published books, reports and papers on land and water development and related subjects, with special reference to the application in developing countries. They do not give
a complete review of all recently issued literature, but a selection from the acquisitions of the library of the
Staring Building. Wageningen, which serves the International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement (ILRI). the Dutch Institute for Land and Water Management Research (ICW) and the Dutch Soil
Survey Institute (STIBOKA). Most entries are in the fields of hydrology, soil science, and land reclamation
and improvement.
Prices: see above.
Orders to: ILRI. P.O. Box 45. 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Framework for Regional Planning in Developing Countries. J. M. van Staveren and D.B.W.M. van Düsseld o r f editors. ILRI publication no. 26. Wageningen, 1980, 347 p. ISBN 70-260-603.
Since many years it is rightly advocated that the preparation of development plans needs a comprehensive
and integrated approach. This, however, is easier said than done. Experience has shown that such type of
planning is not at all a self-evident exercise.
This awareness gave rise at the Agricultural University Wageningen. The Netherlands, to establish a
Research Group that was assigned the task : to make an analytical survey of a comprehensive regional
planning process, to identify its component activities and their interdependencies, and to produce a framework for the organization and management of the whole, in particular applied to predominantly rural
regions.
The presently announced book is the result of that study, in which experts of various disciplines
participated.
The report concentrates on describing how the concerted efTort of regional planning can be realized,
indicating the methodology thereof and the procedures to be followed.
In the first part of the book are discussed the general principles of integrated and interdisciplinary
procedures. The second part contains a voluminous set of annexes, that are meant to serve as instrumental
guidelines for those involved in the planning operations proper. These annexes present a model pattern for
the activities to be conducted by a multidisciplinary planning team.
Price. Dfl. 40.00 including postage if prepaid.
Orders to: ILRI. P.O. Box 45. 6700 AA Wageningen. The Netherlands.
Research Digest 1980 Institute for Land and Water Management Research. Wageningen, the Netherlands.
E. W. Schierbeek, editor. ICW. Wageningen. 1980. 235 p.
This digest presents an overview of the kinds of scientific research carried out at ICW. Of the 115 research
projects in progress 34 were chosen for the present publication. It starts with an introduction to its work in
the fields of water management, water quality, soil technology, land use planning, economic evaluation, and
mathematical analyses.
For those who would like to become acquainted with the institute's activities, it is a highly readible
publication.
The Institute celebrated its 25th anniversary in October 1980.
Price: Free of charge.
Orders to: ICW. P.O. Box 35. 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
Early Diagenesis - A Theoretical Approach. R. A. Berner. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1980.250 p.
ISBN 08258-8, cloth; 08260-X, paperback.
This is the first book to give a rigorously quantitative treatment of the processes that occur in sediments
soon after deposition. In the opening chapters, the mathematical theory of early diagenesis is developed : a
general diagnetic equation is introduced, and this is discussed in terms of each major diagenetic process.
Basic rate equations are derived for diffusion, compaction, pore-water flow, burial advection, bioturbation.
adsorption, radioactive decay, and especially chemical and biochemical reactions (for example, organicmatter decomposition, dementation. and replacement).
The second part of the book draws on examples from the recent literature dealing with continentalmargin, pelagic, and non-marine sediments to illustrate the power of the mathematical models in the
interpretation of such deposits.
This book should enable the reader to predict the behavior of chemical substances in particular sedimentary environments.
Price: cloth $ 35.50 or £ 14.00: paper S 12.00 or £ 5.30.
Orders via your bookstore to: Princeton University Press, Box Y, Princeton, NJ 08540, U.S.A.; or:
Princeton University Press, I5A Epsom Road. Guildford. Surrey GUI 3JT, England.
46
Toxic Metals and their Analysis. E. Berman. Heiden. 1980. 304 p. ISBN 0-85501-468-7.
The last two decades have seen major advances in analytical instrumentation and their subsequent
application in developing refined sensitive, specific and accurate techniques for trace metal determination.
Consequently, a greater understanding of the roles of the different metals in health and disease states is being
acquired. The normal and the toxic are becoming more clearly delineated.
The book presents a balanced perspective on the many aspects of this topical subject. The chapters deal
individually with thirthy-one metals and metalloids to which toxic properties have been ascribed. Each
element's biochemical role, its toxicology, its distribution in the body, its normal concentration in the diet,
and the methods available for its analysis are considered in detail.
Colorimetry, fluorimetry, chromatography, polarography and spectroscopy methods are described, whilst over 1750 selected references are quoted. The book concludes with an Appendix describing the analytical
procedures in the key area of atomic absorption spectrometry which are used in the author's laboratory.
The detailed analytical and toxicological information, together with the numerous tables, comparing
apparent normal and abnormal concentrations, make this publication a valuable reference source not only
for toxicologists and medical practioners. but also for all analysts concerned with the determination of these
metals.
Price: £ 12.00. US S 27.00. DM 56.00; casebound.
Orders lo: Heiden & Son. Spectrum House. Hillview Gardens. London NW4 2JQ. England: or: 247 South
41st Street. Philadelphia. PA 19104. U.S.A.; or: Münsterstrasse 22, 4440 Rheine, Fed. Rep. of Germany.
Analvtical Techniques in Environmental Chemistry. J. Albaiges, editor. Pergamon. Oxford and New York,
1980, 658 p., ISBN 0-08-023809-2.
The book includes 59 papers presented at an International Congress in Barcelona, Spain. November 1978.
It covers recent advances on new methodologies, analytical instrumentation and monitoring strategies, for
the determination of organic and inorganic compounds in the environment. Special emphasis is given to the
problem of detection and measurement of specific pollutants in atmospheric emissions, raw and marine
waters, industrial effluents and biological samples. Hydrocarbons (especially PNA), organochlorinated
compounds and toxic metals are extensively considered and natural products are covered. The application of
both well-established and new analytical techniques are included.
The book has 267 illustrations and over 1000 references.
Price: £ 37.50 or $ 85.00.
Orders to: Pergamon Press, Headington Hill Hall, Oxford 0X3 0BW, U.K. or Pergamon Press, Fairview
Park. Elmsford. NY 10523. U.S.A.
Green Revolution, a bibliography of contributions from Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary
Science, University of Dar-es-Salaam, 1969 1979. University of Dar-es-Salaam, 1980, 239 p.
This bibliography contains a listing of research papers, reports, theses, conference papers, special project
reports, books, articles, etc. prepared by the Faculty of Agriculture. Forestry and Veterinary Science.
University of Dar-es-Salaam. Morogoro. Tanzania during the first ten years of its existence.
Price: USS 25 plus postage.
Orders to: Agricultural Documentation Centre, the Library. Faculty of Agriculture. Forestry and Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 704. Morogoro. Tanzania.
Bonitarea terenurilor agricole (F.valuation of agricultural lands). D. Teaci, Editura Ceres. 1980. 296 p.
This book in Romanian, with short Russian and English summaries, shows that land resources in
Romania have a large diversity of natural characteristics and. therefore, of productive capacity for various
agricultural uses. In this publication an attempt is made to elucidate the problems concerning the evaluation
of agricultural lands and their technological characterization.
This book has numerous tables, but unfortunately, these carry only Romanian texts.
Price: $ 3.00 plus $ 2.00 postage in Europe and $ 3.00 elsewhere.
Orders lo: Ilexim. Str. 13 Décembre Nr. 35. Bucarest. Romania.
NPK in Indian Agriculture. Bibliography 1971 1975. European Nitrogen Service Programme. New Delhi.
1980.797 p.
This extensive bibliography, compiled by Dr. H. L. S. Tardon. comprises nearly 6200 references in the
following sections: crop agronomy (3366 references): cropping systems (164); soil studies (1154); fertilizers
and trade (683) ; other sources of nutrients (329) : interdisciplinary studies (391 ) ; and books (96). In addition,
cross references are provided in different sections throughout for titles which deal with more than one
subject. At the end. an author index and a list of the 267 journals searched are given.
Price: Free of charge.
Orders lo: European Nitrogen Service Programme. P.O. Box 3547. New Delhi - 110 024. India.
4"
Ecology of a Subarctic Mire. M. Sonesson. editor. Ecological Bulletins 30. Swedish Natural Research
Council. Stockholm. 1980. 315 p. ISBN 91-546-0275-0.
The papers deal with the structure and processes of a mire ecosystem under extreme environmental
conditions. The mire is situated near Abisko. North Sweden, and represents a type of tundra on permafrost
characteristic of the subarctic parts of Fennoscandia. It was therefore chosen in 1969 as one of the sites for the
ecological tundra investigations of the International Biological Programme (1964-1974). The research,
carried out according to internationally decided guide-lines, aimed at obtaining better knowledge of the
ecological base for the productivity of the whole circumpolar tundra relevant to the needs of man. Apart
from the papers in the present volume, some individual works have been published and data from the
Swedish project have also been used in international synthesis. A complete list of references to previous
publications relating to the project may be found in an appendix.
Prki' SwCr. 125 (about S 30 including airmail postage).
Orders to: Editorial Service, NFR. Box 23136, S-104 35 Stockholm. Sweden.
Soil Biology as Related to Land Use Practices. Proceedings of the VII International Colloquium of Soil
Zoology. D. L. Dindal. editor. Office of Pesticide and Toxic Substances. Washington. 1980, 880 p.
This publication contains the proceedings of the Seventh International Soil Zoology Colloquium of ISSS
Commission III. organized by the State University of New York. College of Environmental Science and
Forestry, held in Syracuse. New York, 29 July to 3 August 1979. The meeting was attended by 135 persons
from 27 countries.
The 78 papers are arranged in the following sessions : influence of pesticides on soil organisms ( 10 papers).
human waste disposal and soil organisms (6). anthrophilic relationships of soil organisms (6). relationships
of soil organisms to agronomic practices and animal wastes (13), influence of mining site modification and
rehabilitation on soil organisms (6), effects of silvicultural practices on soil organisms (6). human impact on
tropical soil ecology (4). basic soil ecology: nutrient cycling, microorganisms-faunal relationships, feeding
and reproductive strategies (15). basic soil ecology: soil ecology of the arctic and deserts: structure and
function of soil organism communities ( 10) and closing addresses (2)'.
Many papers are followed by the gist of the discussions. The editor should be congratulated on the timely
publication of this extensive amount of information on soil biology in its relation to land use practices.
Price: US $ 8.00 including mail charges. Prepayment required.
Orders to: College of Natural Sciences. Dept. of Plant and Soil Biology. 108 Hilgard Hall, University of
California. Berkeley. CA 94720, U.S.A. or: ISSS. c/o International Soil Museum. P.O. Box 353. 6700 AJ
Wageningen. The Netherlands.
Classification of the Soil Series of Hawaii in Four Systems: A guide to Correlating Tropical Soils. F. H.
Beinroth. H. Ikawa, G. Uehara. Benchmark Soils Project Technical Report 2, 1979, 56 p.
In this report Hawaii soil series, established in accordance with the U.S. "Soil Taxonomy' (Soil Survey
Staff. 1975). are classified according to the U.S. soil classification system of 1938. (Baldwin et al., 1938). the
French classification of soils (CPCS. 1967). and the legend of the FAO/Unesco Soil Map of the World
(FAO/Unesco. 1974).
This soil correlation provides a mechanism through which the agricultural experience developed in Hawaii
over more than 70 years of experimention can be extended to countries with similar soil conditions.
Information about soil management and other agronomic aspects can be obtained in addition. Altogether.
190 soil series are classified and correlated.
Request to: Benchmark Soils Project. Dept. of Agronomy and Soil Science. University of Hawaii. 3190 Maile
Way, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, U.S.A.
Benchmark Soils Project Progress Report 2. January 1978 - June 1979. Benchmark Soils Project. 1979.80 p.
This second progress report appears under the title: 'Development of the Transfer Model and Soil
Taxonomie Interpretations on a Network of the Three Soil Families'.
BSP is an internationally based research project testing and demonstrating that agroproduction technology can be transferred from one location in the tropics to another based on the soil family classification of
the U.S. 'Soil Taxonomy'.
It is reported that detailed soil surveys were conducted in nine countries and that a network of three soil
families has been established on 23 experimental sites in Brazil, Cameroon, Hawaii, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. The soils arc : Hydric Dystrandepts. Tropeptic Eutrustox and Typic Paleudults. The
report descibes the projects background, the selected research strategy, the research carried out up to mid1979 and the yields obtained with local and universal varieties.
The Benchmark Soils Project issues the BSP Newsletter. Technical Reports, contaning laboratory data
and description of the soils of the BSP project and other publications on the programme.
For further information contact: Benchmark Soil Project. Dept. of Agronomy and Soil Science. University of
Hawaii, 3190 Maile Way. Honolulu. Hawaii 96822, U.S.A.
or: Benchmark Soil Project. Dept. of Agronomy and Soils. University of Puerto Rico. Mayaguez. PR 00708,
U.S.A.
4S
International Symposium on Salt Affected Soils, 1980. Symposium Papers. Karnal. India. 18-21 February
1980. 570 p.
This timely publication contains 69 papers presented at the symposium on the principles and practices for
reclamation and management of salt affected soils. The symposium, organized by the Central Soil Salinity
Research Institute, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the I.S.S.S.. was attended by over 200
scientists from more than 20 countries. The papers are arranged as follows: general characteristics of salt
affected soils (7 papers); genesis and classification (7); diagnostic criteria and methodology (6); physical
properties (7); salt movement (7); leaching (5); amendments and reclamation (7): water quality and crop
response to salinity (6) ; nutrient relations (6) ; physiological aspects (6) ; genetics and plant breeding (4) : and
technology (8).
Orders lo: Central Soil Salinity Research Institute. Karnal 132001. India.
Tropical Soils and Soil Survev. A Young. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. 1980.468 p. Paperback
edition. ISBN 0-521-29768-0.
This is a paperback edition of Professor Young's well-known textbook first published in 1976. In the
present edition no extensive revisions have been made. This book about tropical soils is written from the
point of view of the field scientist.
The first section describes the environmental conditions and processes of formation of tropical soils. In the
second section, each of the main soil types found in the tropics is discussed in turn, including their
morphology, genesis and agricultural properties. There follows a section on problems of soil classification
and evolution, containing an account of how tropical soils are treated in each of the major classification systems, including that adopted for the FAO-Unesco soil map of the world. The final section covers
soil fertility, soil survey and land evaluation.
Many soil scientist, and especially those in developing countries, will welcome this paperback edition.
There are only very few recent textbooks on soils within their financial reach!
Price: £ 5.95 plus postage.
Orders to: Cambridge University Press, P.O. Box 110, Cambridge. England ; 32 East 57th Street. New York.
NY 10022. U.S.A.; or: 296 Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park, Melbourne 3206. Australia.
The Micromorphology of Soils. A manual for the preparation and description of thin sections of soils. E. A. Fitz
Patrick. 1980. 186 p., 21 plates.
This manual, first produced in 1970 and revised several times, has now been brought completely up to date.
It starts with detailed instructions for the preparation of high quality thin sections using alternative
techniques as determined by the equipment available. Then follows a description of the various features of
soils seen in thin sections using standard pedological and geological terminology. This should prove to
be a useful starting point from which to use other terminologies.
There is a brief section on teaching micromorphology and finally a full glossary. The manual is fully
illustrated including 114 high quality photomicrographs
Price: £ 11.00 in U.K., £ 14.00 elsewhere; prepayment required.
Orders lo: Department of Soil Science. University of Aberdeen, Meston Walk, Old Aberdeen, Scotland AB9
2UE.
Simulation of nitrogen behaviour of soil-plant systems. M. J. Frissel and J. A. van Veen, editors. Pudoc.
Wageningen. 1981. 283 p. ISBN 90-220-0735-9.
This book contains 21 papers presented at a workshop entitled "Models for the behaviour of nitrogen in
soil and uptake by plant : comparison between different approaches', held at Wageningen. The Netherlands,
from 28 January to I February 1980.
Crops yields throughout the world are often severely restricted by lack of nitrogen. This results partly from
the high cost of increasing nitrogen in soil and partly from the difficulty of forecasting how to adjust rates of
nitrogen fertilizer to different crops and soils.
A hundred years of field trials have undoubtedly brought considerable progress but serious difficulties
remain. They stem from the dependence of such trials on the weather and on the impracticability of trials on
more than a few combinations of crop, soil and weather. It is therefore necessary to extrapolate to a wider
range of conditions, so that much error is introduced inevitably and inadequate advice is given to farmers.
Mathematical models have therefore been developed to simulate the effect of fertilizers on food production and on ecology. Progress in model development is undoubtedly hindered by lack of communication
between the many disciplines concerned. Models are often complex, inherently difficult to understand and
seldom described in the scientific literature in sufficient detail to be helpful lo other workers. The net result is
that there is a range of apparently different models purposing to do the same thing. Some of the differences
may result partly from environmental differences, which allow different approximations and partly from
different concepts for particular processes.
The Foundation ITAL therefore organized a small international meeting of scientists who have modelled
different aspects of the nitrogen cycle.
This book brings together the results of this work.
Price: Dfl. 70.00 (cloth)
Orders lo: Pudoc. P.O. Box 4. 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
4')
Andosoles de las Islas C ananas. E. Fernandez Caldas and M. L. Tejedor Salguero. Caja General de Ahorros
de Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 1975, 210 p. ISBN 84-7231-208-9.
A large part of the soils of the islands of Tenerife. Gomera and Hierro are formed in different volcanic
materials, dating from Miocene age upto recent time. The publication begins with a general introduction on
the soils of these three Canary islands off the north-west African coast and includes small-scale soil maps.
From the selected fourteen profiles are given : the description of site and soil, chemical, physical and clay
mineralogical data, including pF, bulk density and porosity data. Attention is also given to micropedology
and the text is supported by photographs. The book contains a number of electrophotomicrographs and
colour photographs of all fourteen soil profiles.
Althogether. an informative and well-illustrated text on the volcanic soils of the three Canary islands.
Requests to: Centro de Edafologia y Biologia Aplicada. Sta. Cruz de Tenerife. Tenerife. Spain.
Data Handling for Science and Technology. An Overview and Sourcebook. S.A. Rossmassler and D. G.
Watson. North-Holland Publishing Company. Amsterdam. 1980. 184 p. ISBN 0-444-86012-6.
This book, sponsored by CODATA and UNESCO, is intended to provide an introductory survey of the
basic aspects of handling scientific and technical data, and to indicate selected sources from which more
details can be obtained.
Immediately following the Introduction, there is an examination of how and why data are generated, with
a discussion of the differing degrees to which data have an 'absolute' aspect (in the sense that they can be
determined independently of any environmental conditions or measurement techniques) and a brief overview of systems for measuring and recording data. A two-part chapter is devoted to data-related aspects of
the biosciences and geosciences.
There is also a survey of statistical analysis and interpretation of data. The following four chapters
examine four important systematic aspects of data handling : presentation in the primary literature, means of
finding data in the primary literature, the critical operations of compilation and evaluation of data, and the
standards and guidelines which give structure to data handling. A chapter is devoted to a brief overview of
how computers are used in laboratory science to handle data. The final chapter offers a cross-cut analysis of
the formal and informal mechanisms by which data are disseminated, involving the interactions between
suppliers and users of data.
The book therefore addresses itself to producers and users of data as well as to information specialists
increasingly called upon to provide numerical data to scientific users. It should prove invaluable in scientific
libraries and other information centres in both developed and developing countries.
Price: in U.S.A. and Canada: US $ 25.00, elsewhere S 29.25/Dfl. 60.00
Orders to: North-Holland Publ. Company. P.O. Box 211. Amsterdam, the Netherlands; or: 52 Vanderbilt
Ave. New York. NY 10017, U.S.A.
Moving up the Yield Curve: Advances and Obstacles. ASA Special Publication Number 39. American Society
of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America, 1980, 110 p. ISBN 0-89118-064-8.
This publication contains six papers presented at a symposium held at the ASA annual meeting in Chicago,
Illinios, on 7 December 1978.
With land being taken out of production and population of human beings on a continuous increase, the
problem of world food supplies has become a major concern. Current indicators show that crop yields are
holding steady, after several years of steady increase.
This publication changes that bleak picture and examines how today's farmers can increase yields and
hence, move up the yield curve.
Recognizing the immediate need for high yields, the authors discuss detailed methods which can maximize
crop production, nutrient needs of plants, biochemical and physiological considerations, climate and water
needs, genetics, and impacts of governmental regulations on agricultural production.
Research, educators, students and administrators interested in high yields will find this a valuable
publication.
Price: $ 5.50 plus 75 cents for orders outside the U.S.A. Prepayment required.
Orders to: American Society of Agronomy. 677 South Segoe Road. Madison. WI 53711. U.S.A.
Studies about Humus. Transactions of the International Symposium. Brno, August 1979. 2 Volumes. 605 p.
These are the transactions of the symposium 'Humus et Planta VII'. which was held from 20-24 August
1979 in Brno. Czechoslovakia, in cooperation with ISSS Commission II. In all, 117 papers were presented at
this seventh international gathering, mostly by scientists from eastern Europe. The contributions are of a
general as well as a regional nature, and many papers deal with the relationships between organic matter and
soil.
These proceedings can be obtained free of charge as long as stocks last. Copies of'Humus et Planta VI',
held in Prague in 1975 are also available.
Requests to: Dr. Bohumir Novak. Research Institute for Crop Production. Ruzyne 507. 161 06 Praha 6,
Czechoslovakia.
50
A textbook of Soil Science. J. A. Daji. J. K. Publishers, London. 1970, first reprint 1980. 380 p. ISBN 0906654-20-3.
This book was mainly written for undergraduate students of agriculture at Indian Universities at the
request of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research as a part of their programme to prepare textbooks on
different subjects. The book deals primarily with principles rather than practices, and gives the reader an
understanding of the principles involved in the practical use. care and management of the soil. It is written
from the Indian standpoint and includes data pertaining to the local soils and soil conditions as far as
possible.
Especially for those attending the 12th International Congress of Soil Science in February 1982 it will be a
good opportunity to become acquainted with this textbook, although the chapter on the geography of the
soils is very short.
Price: £ 6.00.
Orders lo: J. K. Publishers, 10 Laystall Street. London ECI, England.
Soil Erosion. M. J. Kirkby and R. P. C. Morgan, editors. John Wiley & Sons. Chichester, New York,
Brisbane and Toronto, 1980, 312 p. ISBN 0-471-27802-5
Since 1960 substantially new approaches to soil erosion research have been developed, both in the USA
and in Europe. The most significant new development is that the geomorphological and hydrological
processes of erosion are being re-examined in detail. The basic assumptions of the Universal Soil Loss
Equation are being questioned, and workers in separate fields are beginning to make independent contributions to aspects of overland flow, infiltration, soil crusting, and soil removal. This book is an attempt lo
bring this work together for the first time in a research level text. The authors who have contributed are all
active in soil erosion research, and bring a range of current viewpoints together. Each chapter may be read in
isolation, but chapter topics have been designed to provide a sequenlial text which covers the whole of soil
erosion.
Chapter 1 is an introductory survey of the field, showing some of the important areas for research
development. Chapter 2 sets out the Universal Soil Loss Equation and how it may be used and developed
further. Chapter 3 reviews established and new methods for measuring soil erosion. Chapters 4, 5, and 6
examine the processes of water erosion in detail, from empirical, theoretical, and modelling viewpoints
respectively. Chapter 7 examines wind erosion similarly. Chapter 8 looks at the implications of new research
for soil management, and Chapter 9 concludes briefly by looking to the future of erosion research.
The book is intended for postgraduate students, research workers, and professional staff involved in soil
erosion and conservation. It is thus of direct interest to personnel in geography, environmental science,
agriculture, agricultural engineering, hydrology, soil science, ecology, and civil engineering. This well
produced book is profusely illustrated with many tables and diagrams. Each chapter has an extensive list of
references.
Price: i 22.50
Orders to: John Wiley and Sons. Baffins U n e . Chichester POI9 1UD. England or: 605 Third Avenue. New
York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
Interactions of Energy and Climate. W. Bach, J. Pankrath and J. Williams, editors. D. Reidel Publ. Comp.,
Dordrecht, 1980. 568 p. ISBN 90-277-1179-8 (cloth), 90-277-1177-1 (paperback).
Over the past decades climatic events in many regions of the world have made us aware of our vulnerability
to climatic change and variability. We increasingly realise that not only is man vulnerable to variations in
climate but also that climate is vulnerable to the actions of man. This is of particular concern in view of the
continued world population growth and the world's increasing appetite for energy and food.
The meeting held in Münster in March 1980 (of which the 29 delivered papers arc presented in this
volume), dealt with both the effects of energy systems on climate and with the effects of climate on energy use.
Some of the important questions addressed at this meeting were:
What climatic impacts can be expected from the various energy, economic and population growth
policies?
What energy strategies are feasible that would cause acceptable climatic impacts?
What are the relative contributions of the various forcing functions to climatic change?
What are the relative risks, costs and/or benefits of climatic impacts?
- What possible countervailing measures could reduce or even avert impacts on climate?
Although the conference lectures arc presented, the book is designed to be a comprehensive and integrated
resources book on problems interlinking energy and climate rather than a loose collection of individual
papers that is typical of conference proceedings. Another meeting sponsored by the German Government
will be held in Berlin in December 1980 on climate/food interactions and their implications for world food
security. The lectures given at this meeting will be published by Reidel in mid-1981.
Price: Dil. 110.000 (cloth); Dfl. 50.00 (paperback). Prices include postage if prepaid.
Ordersio.D. Reidel Publishing Compagny. P.O. Box 17,3300 AA Dordrecht, the Netherlands, or: 190 Old
Derby Street. Hingham, MA 02043. U.S.A.
51
The Chemistry of Soil Processes. D. J. Greenland and M. H. B. Hayes, editors. John Wiley & Sons.
Chichester. New York. Brisbane and Toronto. 1981. 714 p. ISBN 0-471-27693-6.
This text is a companion volume to The Chemistry of Soil Constituents by the same editors (published by
Wiley, 1978. 482 p.. ISBN 0-471-99619-X; for contents see Bulletin 56. p. 31). Together these volumes
provide comprehensive coverage of the complex topic of soil chemistry.
An introductory chapter outlines some of the relevant properties of complexes between soil clay and
organic matter, discusses the importance of aggregates and of appropriate distributions of pores, refers to
some of the essential biological processes in soil, and indicates how these properties and those of the soil
solution are relevant to considerations of soil fertility. This is followed by detailed treatments of the physical
and physico-chemical processes of mass flow and diffusion, precipitation, and ion and ligand exchange ; and
the adsorption by soil components of both small organic molecules (such as pesticides) and larger natural
and synthetic polymer species.
Processes which emphasize the importance of micro-organisms and of microbial transformation products
are then discussed in three chapters which deal with oxidation and reduction, the complexation and
translocation of metals within the soil profile, and with the transformation of organic debris in the soil. The
last three chapters discuss the fate in the soil of fertilizers and o potential pollutants, such as heavy metals
from applications of sludges, fertilizers, and pesticides.
The volumes are primarily written for soil and agricultural scientists, but will interest also researchers in
environmental science, pollutant chemists, microbiology, and a range of other disciplines associated with soil
behaviour and function.
The book, like its companion volume, is clearly written and well produced with many illustrations.
Extensive reference lists are given with each chapter.
Price: £ 36.00
Orders lo: John Wiley & Sons, Baffins Lane. Chichester. Sussex P019 1U D. England, or : 605 Third Avenue.
New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
Microbial Adhesion to Surfaces. R. C. W. Berkelev. J. M. Lynch. J. Melting. P. R. Rutter and B. Vincent,
editors. Ellis Horwood Publ., Chicester. 1980. 559p. ISBN 0-85312-186-9.
This definitive and multi-disciplinary work describes the current state and future prospects of the whole
area of research into microbial adhesion, ft is up-to-date, complete in its coverage, and detailed in its
information of this rapidly expanding field; and docs not forbear to offer critical discussion of previous
approaches.
The editors offer a balanced and selective range of experience, which includes both the theoretical aspects
of small particle adhesion to surfaces, and the practical problems associated with the adhesion of microorganisms to plant and animal tissue, and to surfaces of industrial importance. The introductory chapters arc
designed to overcome any differences in approach between physical scientists and biologists, whilst among
the many important ensuing chapters there is description of detailed methods of quantifying bacterial
adhesion, and of current research activities in a wide range of topics.
For the soil scientist are of particular importance chapters on the surface interactions between clayminerals and microbes, the microbial adhesion to soil surfaces, the role of natural and synthetic polymers in
stabilizing soil aggregates, and the flocculation of Rhizobium from soil colloids.
The book is published for the Society of Chiemical Industry. London and appears only a few months after
the meeting where the papers and posters were presented.
Price: £ 32.50
Orders to: John Wiley & Sons, Baffins Lane, Chichester P019 1UD. England, or: 605 Third Avenue. New
York. NY 10016. U.S.A.
Fundamentals of Soil Phvsics. D. Hillel. Academic Press. New York and London. 1980. 413 p. ISBN 0-12348560-6
This book provides a lucid and comprehensive exposition of the principles and processes involved in the
movement of water and other transportable materials, and the exchange of energy, in the soil-plantatmosphere system. It serves both as a text and as a definitive reference for students and professionals in the
environmental, engineering, and agricultural sciences.
The book presents a critical elucidation of methods of characterizing the physical attributes of soil,
including soil texture and structure, the nature and behavior of clay, the state and movement of water and
solutes in both saturated and unsaturated soil conditions, gas and energy exchange between the soil and
atmosphere, and the principles of soil rheology.
Each topic is clearly explained. Readers with a general background in physics, chemistry, and biology will
find the material easily accessible. Each chapter contains sample problems that will assist students in
transforming the abstractions of theory into practical working knowledge.
The book is highly suited for use as an undergraduate text.
Price: $ 35.00
Orders to: Academic Press. 111 Fifth Avenue. New York. NY 10003, U.S.A., or: 24/28 Oval Road. London
NW1 7DX. England.
52
Water-Rock Interactions. J. M. Verstraten. BGRG Research Monograph Series 2. Geo Abstracts. Norwich.
1980.
Until now work on soil genesis has mostly been carried out on solid phases of soils and parent materials.
Little attention was paid to the weathering agent, the liquid phase, with its solutes. The present study, a thesis
of the University of Amsterdam, deals mainly with the water-rock interactions in (very) low-grade mctamorphic shales and the resultant soils in a small, completely forested catchment in the Luxembourg Ardennes.
This publication is number 2 in the monograph series of the Britisch geomorphological Research Group.
Price: Paperback with appendix on microfiche. 176 p. ISBN 0-86094-043-8. £ 4.40. Hardback. 243 p. ISBN
0-86094-042-X. £ 7.40
Orders to: Geo Abstracts. University of East Anglia. Norwich, NR4 7TJ. England.
Population-environment relations in tropical islands: the case of eastern Fiji. H. C. Brookfield, editor. MAB
Technical Notes 13. Unesco. Paris. 1980. 228 p. ISBN 92-3-101821-3.
This Technical Note presents a synthesis of the findings of a Unesco/United Nations Fund for Population
Activities (UNFPA) pilot project on the interrelations between populations, environment and natural
resources development in the eastern islands of Fiji. It constitutes the response of a group of social and
natural scientists to Ihe empirical problems of population and development presented by a particular
region, a particular set of natural environments and a particular set of socio-economic conditions. Though
based on a concrete situation, most papers seek to go beyond empiricism into theory, and draw on data and
literature from outside Fiji.
The first article describes the project, and the means by which integration was achieved. Subsequent
articles discuss three specific aspects on which the project was able to make a useful contribution to
knowledge and its application: ihe impact of man's activity on island resources: the carrying capacity
question: the vulnerability of small island populations and their resources. Two larger aspects
the
theoretical framework of the project, and the question of designing guidelines for resource use and population policy in small islands - are the subject of substantive papers.
It is hoped that the methods and approaches to problem-solving described in the Technical Note will be of
interest to those dealing with population-environment problems in rural settings worldwide. It is also hoped
that the experience gained in the Fiji project will help in the design of new research projects in more complex
situations in other ecological regions of the world.
This study is a welcome addition to the FAO/UNFPA publications 'Land Resources for Populations of
the Future', also announced in Bulletin 59.
Price: FF 50.
Orders to: Unesco National Distributors.
Assessment of Erosion. M. de Boodt and D. Gabriels, editors. John Wiley & Sons. Chichester. New York.
Brisbane. Toronto. 1980. 563p. ISBN 0-471-27899-8.
The Workshop on Assessment of Erosion in America and Europe, on which this volume is based, was a
follow-up to two previous meetings held at FAO Headquarters in Rome. The meeting was held in Ghent.
Belgium, from 27 February to 3 March 1978.
As a result of the Rome meetings a committee was formed to examine the possibilities for developing
methods of universal applicability for assessing degrees of soil erosion and for measuring quantitatively its
effect on soil productivity, the ultimate objective being the production of a world map. It was decided to
organize a workshop to discuss methods for assessing erosion with members drawn from the USA and those
European countries with specialists in the field of soil degradation.
The papers presented at the workshop were not meant primarily to add to the existing collection of erosion
studies but to provide syntheses of the different approaches being developed in the institutions where there
was the most experience. The conference was meant to deal specifically with erosion in the industrialized
world but ended up with erosion characterization on a world scale.
The first papers deal with the evaluation of erosion risks and the mapping of eroded areas in different
countries, and they provide a basis for the subsequent papers.
Despite the growing awareness of the hazards of continuing soil degradation to mankind the situation is
worse than 50 years ago. World population has more than doubled, but apart from a few countries, erosion
has proceeded with relatively little attempt to check it.
It is hoped that the papers of this workshop will help to draw attention to the dangers facing mankind in
allowing soil degradation to continue on its present scale, by stimulating international cooperation in
assessing and mapping the degree of degradation and developing methods for overcoming and where possible
preventing it.
The publication has many tables, figures and maps. It will be of great interest to soil scientists, agricultural
scientists and botanists.
Price: £ 27.50
Orders to: John Wiley & Sons, Baffins Lane, Chichester P019 1UD, England or: 605 Third Avenue. New
York. NY 10016. U.S.A.
53
Applications of Soil Phvsics. D. Hillel. Academic Press. New York and London. 1980. 385 p. ISBN 0-12348580-0.
This book is a companion volume to Fundamentals of Soils Physics. It applies the basic principles and
illustrates how they can be used systematically to define and eventually control - existing phenomena.
The first section of the book provides comprehensive treatment of the field water cycle and its management. Topics covered are: the sequential processes of infiltration and runoff; redistribution and storage of
soil moisture; groundwater drainage; evaporation from bare soil and soil salinization; uptake of water
by plants and transpiration as determined by climate, soil properties, and rooting habit; field water
balance and energy balance; crop water requirements and water use efficiency; tillage mechanics and
soil structure management.
The second section extends these principles further and introduces the reader to the contributions of
several leading authorities on topics of vital contemporary interest. The topics discussed include: crop
canopy effects on évapotranspiration; freezing phenomena in soils; similitude and scaling; spatial heterogeneity of soil physical properties; and the movement of solutes during infiltration.
This publication will serve as an undergraduate text for students in the environmental, engineering, and
agronomic science. It will also serve as a definitive reference source for professionals in soil physics and the
related fields of terrestrial ecology, hydrology, agronomy, forestry, and civil engineering.
Price: $ 45.00
Orders lo: see page 52.
Land Resources for Populations of the Future. A joint project of FAO and UNFPA.
The limits of food production are set by soil and climatic conditions and the use and management imposed
on the land. Any 'mining' of land beyond these limits will, in the long run. only result in degradation and
lowered productivity. Accordingly, there arc critical levels of populations that can be supported from any
given area. FAO and U.N. Fund for Population Activities have initiated the present project todetermine the
upper limits of population-supporting capacities of lands.
A further objective is to compare these estimates with data on present and projected populations and so
identify critical areas where land resources are insufficient to support existing and/or future populations and
where action is urgently required to rectify this situation.
Land resource aspects of the study are dealt with through delineation of agro-ecological zones wherein soil
and climatic conditions, matched to crop productivity, are quantified. Use/management aspects are considered through estimation of the various potentials of the zones for the production of 19 crops under three
levels of inputs with various conservation, calorie/protein and crop mix alternatives. Present and projected
population data is then related to the potential of the inventoried agro-ecological zones.
This project is a follow-up of the Agro-ecological Zone Project (see Bulletin 57 p. 46). The activities of the
project are guided by consultations of experts. The Project Coordinator is G.M. Higgins of FAO's Land and
Water Development Division.
Report on the Agro-ecological Zones Project. Vol. 1, Methodology and Results for Africa. World Soil
Resources Report No. 48. FAO. Rome. 1978. 158 p. ISBN 92-5-100589-3.
Price: $ 7.40 (available in English and French). For contents see Bulletin 57. p. 46.
Report on the Agro-ecological Zones Project, Vol. 2, Results for Southwest Asia. World Soil Resources Report
No. 48/2. FAO, Rome. 1978, 28 p. ISBN 92-5-100694-6.
Price: $ 4.- (available in English and Arabic). For contents see Bulletin 57. p. 46.
Report on the FAO, UNFPA Expert Consultation, FAO. Rome, 19 November - 2 December 1977. n.y. 88 p.
ISBN 92-5-100653-9. Price: $ 4.-.
This report on the first consultation contains seven working papers and discussions, the work plan and the
recommendations. The papers deal with the suggested methodology, soil and climatic suitability assessment,
land degradation, irrigation potential, economic considerations and estimates of human carrying capacity
and current and future population.
Report on the Second FAO/UNFPA Expert Consultation, FAO. Rome. 4-6 December 1979. FAO. Rome.
1980. 369 p. ISBN 92-5-100925-2. Price: S 15.10.
This report on the second consultation contains the first results obtained for the African continent, based
on the methodology set out in the preceding report. It is divided into three parts: the first records the
proceedings, discussions and recommendations. Part II reproduces the working papers and part III contains details of the working sheets. To the third part a further paper has been added itemizing the basic
land inventories used in the study of aid possible application of the methodology to individual national
studies.
It is hoped that, in entirety, the report will serve as a manual for such activities.
Additional information on this project can be obtained from G. M. Higgins. Project Coordinator, AGLS.
FAO. Via délie Terme di Caracalla. 00100 Rome. Italy.
Orders lo: official country FAO sales representatives or. in case of difficulties, through Sales and Distribution Section. FAO, Via délie Terme di Caracalla. 00100. Rome. Italy.
M
Soils with Variable Charge. B.K.G.Theng, editor. New Zealand Society of Soil Science. 1980.464 p.. 106 fig.
95 tables, hardbound. ISBN 0-477-06668-2.
'Soils with variable charge' of the temperate regions and some areas of the sub-tropics, are among the most
productive soils of these regions. They are not naturally fertile, and their high productivity has been achieved
only after severe limitations to plant and animal production have been overcome. Within the tropical
regions, and remaining areas in the sub-tropics, much more work remains to be done before these soils are
producing near their potential. This is an appropriate time to review existing knowledge of the properties of
these soils, their problems and how they may be overcome by suitable management under various land uses.
With this in mind, the New Zealand Society of Soil Science offered to host a meeting of Commissions IV,
V, VI and VII of the ISSS which would allow soil scientists of several disciplines to discuss these soils as a
single subject. The organization of this meeting also coincided with the 50th Anniversary of the New Zealand
Soil Bureau.
The present book provides an up-to-date comprehensive review of knowledge on soils with variable
charge. As such, the book stands independent of the Conference proceedings, it contains papers on macroand micro-morphology (4 papers), sand, silt and clay mineralogy (4). chemistry (4). physics and mechanics
(4), biology (2), genesis and classification (3).
Price: NZ $ 28.00 including postage. Advance payment required.
Orders to: The Secretary. New Zealand Society of Soil Science, c/o Soil Bureau, DSIR. Private Bag, Lower
Hutt, New Zealand.
Field Extract of'Soil Taxonomy'. International Soil Museum, Wageningen, 1980, 95 p.
This handsome field extract (size II x 25 cm) of the USDA/SCS 1975 system of soil classification contains
the definitions of all diagnostic characteristics in a shortened form, the family differentiae in full as well as the
keys to orders, suborders and great groups. The relevant sections of the approved amendments of May 1978
are also included.
Price: US $ 5.00, including surface mail charges. Extra for airmail to Africa and North America $ 1.00 ; Asia.
Australia and Latin America $ 2.00. Prepayment required. Discount for 10 or more copies.
Orders to: International Soil Museum. P.O. Box 353. 6700 AJ Wageningen. The Netherlands.
Flow-diagram keys for 'Soil Taxonomy'. R. F. Thomas. L. C. Blakemore and D. I. Kinloch. Dept. of
Scientific and Industrial Research. ISSN 0304-1735.
This series explains in flow-diagram from the definitions and keys given in the USDA Agr. Handbook No.
436 'Soil Taxonomy' with approved amendments as at 2 June 1978. The flow diagrams are intended to permit
easier interpretation of the definitions and are likely to be particularly useful to persons not yet fully
conversant with the text. They are not intended to replace the formal text. In some cases amendments to Soil
Taxonomy are also suggested. More volumes are planned.
Volume A. Diagnostic horizons and properties : mineral soils. New Zealand Soil Bureau (NZSB) Scientific
Report 39A, 1979.
Volume B. Soil moisture and temperature regimes, and diagnostic horizons and properties for organic
soils. NZSB Scientific Report 39B. 1980.
Volume C. The key to soil orders. NZSB Scientific Report 39C. 1980.
Volume D. Histosols and Spodosols. NZSB Scientific Report 39D. 1981.
Price: US S 2 per volume.
Orders to: New Zealand Soil Bureau. D.S.I.R., Private Bag. Lower Hutt, New Zealand.
The Soil Resource. H. Jenny. Ecological Studies 37. Springer Verlag, New York, Heidelberg. Berlin 1980.377
p. ISBN 3-540-90543-X and 0-387-90543-X (in U.S.A.).
In this book, Hans Jenny, Professor Emeritus. University of California, who is now in his eighties, soils
are treated as parts of land ecosystems and as structural bodies made up of biotic and abiotic components.
The book is written in textbook style. It is an expansion and updating of the author's lectures on soil genesis.
The book is well-illustrated.
Chapter I serves as an introduction. Part A. Processes of Soil Genesis, consists of six chapters on soil
development factors. Part B, Soil and Ecosystem Sequences, consists of six chapters on state factor analysis
and a seventh that offers an overview of the book. All chapters contain a review and an extensive list of
references.
The book carries an interesting foreword by Professor Jerry Olson, highlighting the work and publications
of Jenny. This publication on the soil resource is not only a textbook for students but also teachers can gain
from the historic treatment of the various soil process factors and their interactions, and especially, from the
integration of the origin and the behaviour of the soil resource.
Ecological Studies 35 by J. Fortescue. entitled Environmental Geochemistry : A Holistic Approach, can be
regarded as a companion or complement to the present one. This title is also announced in Bulletin 59.
Price: DM 57.00. cloth-bound.
Orders lo: Lange & Springer, Heidelberger Platz 3. D-1000 Berlin 33. West Germany, or: Springer Verlag.
175 Fifth Avenue. New York, NY 10010, U.S.A.
55
Projet de classification des sols. R. Fauck. M. Lamoureux, A. Perraud. P. Quantin, P. Roederer. J. Vieillefon
et P. Segalen. Services Scientifiques Centraux de l'O.R.S.T.O.M.. Bondy, 1979, 301 p.
Il s'agit d'une première approximation d'un nouveau système international de classification des sols
préparé par un groupe de travail de pédologues de l'ORSTOM. Dans le premier chapitre, une description
brève mais très claire et systématique est donnée sur les principes de pédogénèse, les différentes catégories de
classifications dites 'objectives', c'est à dire fondées sur des caractères objectifs du sol, la recherche d'un
nouveau système, l'objet qui doit être classifié et les méthodes utilisées pour classifier les sols.
Ensuite, on trouve une description précise des horizons diagnostiques et des autres éléments de la
classification. Chaque fois que cela est possible, ils sont empruntés à la 'Soil Taxonomy' ou à la légende
FAO/Unesco. mais avec modifications, qui pour certains aspects résultent des traveaux de divers comités
internationaux qui travaillent à proposer des améliorations de la 'Soil Taxonomy'. La plupart des données
diagnostiques ont reçu de nouveaux noms, pour éviter toute confusion.
Les éléments et principes de la nouvelle classification proposée sont ensuite examinés. Au plus haut niveau
figurent les constituants du sol, au second la morphologie, la combinaison des deux permettant la définition
du sol; au troisième apparaissent les caractéristiques physiques et chimiques, tandis qu'au quatrième sont
proposées des données relatives aux utilisations possibles du sol. Pour terminer les quinze unités les plus
élevées et leurs subdivisions possibles sont décrites. L'ouvrage s'achève par une comparaison entre la
classification proposée et d'autres systèmes existants, 51 pédons sont données comme exemples avec les
méthodes analytiques et un index des termes utilisés.
Cette première approximation qui est destinée à être modifiée et corrigée est rédigée en français et n'est pas
en vente. Un petit nombre d'exemplaires peuvent être obtenus sans frais auprès des auteurs, qui se proposent
de faire paraître prochainement une version améliorée mais abrégée en anglais, avec l'aide du Muséum
International des Sols (ISM).
Les demandes d'exemplaires som à adresser à: P. Segalen. Services Scientifiques Centraux de l'ORSTOM, 7074 Route d'Aulnay, 93140 Bondy, France.
Projet de classification des sols. R. Fauck. M. Lamoureux. A. Perraud, P. Quantin. P. Roederer. J. Vieillefon
et P. Segalen. Services Scientifiques Centraux de l'O.R.S.T.O.M., Bondy. 1979, 301 p. Rotaprinted.
This is a first approximation to a new international system of soil classification, prepared by a working
group of ORSTOM. In the first chapters a brief but very clear and systematic description is given on the
principles of pedogenesis, the various existing 'objective' classification systems, the search for a new objective
system, the object that is to be classified, and the methods used to classify soils.
Then a precise descripion is given of the diagnostic horizons and other classification elements. As much as
possible these are taken from the US 'Soil Taxonomy' and the FAO/Unesco legend, but with certain
modifications that for a part have emerged from a consensus reached in the various international committees
engaged in recommending improvements of'Soil Taxonomy'. For all diagnostics, however, new names have
been coined, to avoid any possible confusion. The principles and elements of the proposed new classification
are then outlined, applying systematically at the highest level the soil constituents, at the second level the soil
morphology, at the third level the physical and chemical characteristics, and at the lowest level the data
relative to the possible use of the soil. Finally, the fifteen highest-level units and their possible subdivisions
are described. The book ends with a comparison of the proposed system with other soil classification
systems, 51 example pedons. the analytical methods, and a glossary of the terms used.
This first approximation, which is apt to be modified and corrected, is in the French language only, and not
for sale. A limited number of copies can be obtained free of charge from the publishers.
It is the intention of the OSTOM Working Group to publish soon an English language improved and
shortened version, in cooperation with the International Soil Museum ISM.
Enquiries & requests for copies: Dr. P. Segalen, Services Scientifiques Centraux de l'ORSTOM, 70-74 Route
d'Aulnay. 93140 Bondy, France.
Proceedings Conference on Classification and Management of Tropical Soils, Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia,
August 1977. K. T. Joseph, editor. Malaysian Society of Soil Science. Kuala Lumpur. 1980, 667 p.
This publication contains the 74 papers presented at the International Conference on Classification and
Management of Tropical Soils (Clamatrops). held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 15 22 August 1977.
This Conference of ISSS Commissions IV and V was organized by the Malaysian Society of Soil Sciene and
was attended by over 300 participants from more than 25 countries. Papers on the following topics are
included: soil genesis (12 papers), soil classification (8 papers), soil survey and mapping (7 papers), soil
analysis and fertilizer needs (7 papers), tissue analysis and fertilizer needs (7 papers), fertilizer requirements
(11 papers), systems of tropical soil management (4 papers), land-use evaluation (13 papers).
It also contains the gist of the discussions which followed each of the 15 sessions held.
The text is well produced and illustrated. It deserves a wide circulation in tropical regions and will find its
way to scientists interested in the genesis, classification and management of tropical soils.
Price: US $ 33. plus seamail charges of $ 5 - to Australia. India. Japan, New Zealand and most of Europe
and $ 7.- to Canada, U.K.. U.S.A. and U.S.S.R.. Other seamail and airmail charges on request.
Orders to: Dr. Chew Poh Soon. Highlands Research Unit. P.O. Box 2009. Kelang. Selangor, Malaysia.
56
Soil-Water and Nitrogen in Mediterranean-type Environments. J. Monteith and C. Webb, editors. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences 1. Nijhoff/Junk. The Hague. 1981, 33p. ISBN 90-247-2406-6.
This book provides a continuing record of the current state of kwowledge about soil, water and nitrogen,
which is fundamental to life itself.
A number of scientists from all over the world were invited to attend a week long workshop at Aleppo in
January 1980. The workshop was organized by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry
Areas (ICARDA). with the help of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP); in order to further
the project of 'increasing the fixation of soil nitrogen and the efficiency of soil water use in rainfed
agricultural systems in the countries of North Africa and West Asia.
The book is compiled from the review papers presented at this meeting. While of particular interest to the
North Africa-West Asia region and other Mediterranean-type areas, which occur in practically every
continent, this publication has a much wider application, and will be a very useful reference throughout the
world.
These selected reviews were reprinted from Plant and Soil, volume 58, 1981.
Price: Dfl. 125.00. US $ 66.00.
Orders to: In U.S.A. and Canada: Kluwer Boston, 190 Old Derby Street, Hingham, MA 02043. U.S.A..
elsewhere: Kluwer. Distribution Center. P.O. Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
Nitrogen Losses and Surface Run-Off from Landspreading of Manures. J. C. Brogan. editor. Developments in
Plant and Soil Sciences 2. Nijhoff/Junk, The Hague. 1981, 471 p. ISBN 90-247-2471-6.
This publication contains the proceedings of a workshop held at Johnstown Castle. Wexford. Ireland, on
20-22 May 1980. under the auspices of the Commission of the European Communities as a part of the EEC
programme of coordination of research on effluents from livestock, and at the request of the Effluents from
Livestock Committee.
The workshop covered the following topics: surface run-off of nitrogen and phosphorus; nitrogen losses
by leaching; nitrogen losses to the atmosphere ; nitrogen storage in the soil ; and nitrogen uptake by the crops.
The workshop was structured to ensure a direct comparison between each member country of the
experimental results obtained over a three year period. 1977-1979. thus highlighting areas of consensus and
uncertainty. Discussion look place on a draft guideline for the landspreading of animal manures. This
followed previous discussions in Brussels. Further detailed discussions with individual member countries are
planned.
Price: Dfl. 95.00. US $ 49.50.
Orders to: see above.
Nitrogen and Carbon Metabolism. J. D. Bewley, editor. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences 3.
NijholT/Junk. The Hague. 1981. 248 p. ISBN 90-247-2472-4.
This book results from a symposium on the theme of 'The Physiology and Biochemistry of Plant
Productivity' which was held at the University of Calgary on 14-18 July 1980. and was jointly sponsored by
the Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists and the International Association of Plant Physiologists. The
subject matter of the book deals with various aspects of nitrogen and carbon metabolism, their interrelationships and interdependence. The topics covered in the chapters highlight various interesting and
important hnes of research that are in progress. There is no attempt to provide a comprehensive coverage of
the basic physiological knowledge upon which this research depends. Important references are to be found at
the end of each chapter, however, and the reader will be able to pursue these as necessary.
Price: Dlf. 75.00. US $ 39.50.
Orders to: see above.
Nitrification Inhibitors Potentials and Limitations. ASA Special Publication Number 38. American Society
of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America. Madison. 1980, 138p., ISBN 0-89118-063-X.
The nine papers in this special publication of the American Society of Agronomy are the results of a
symposium at the ASA annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on 6 December 1978.
The objectives of the symposium were to review the basic aspects of nitrification and nitrification
inhibitors from a soil, plant and microbial viewpoint and to review the performance of these inhibitors on a
regional basis. The current state of knowledge on the potential for nitrogen loss and the manner in which
inhibitors function is reviewed. An indepth report on how inhibitors have performed in various parts of
the U.S.A. is also presented.
Price: $ 7.50 plus 75 cents for orders outside the U.S.A.; prepayment required.
Orders to: American Society of Agronomy, 677 South Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53711, U.S.A.
The Role of Potassium in Crop Production. International Potash Institute and the Fertilizer Society of South
Africa, 1980, 135 p. ISBN 0-9090071-35-7.
This publication contains the papers presented at an International Seminar held in Pretoria, Republic of
South Africa on 12 and 13 November 1979. Although most attention is given to the production of maize,
wheat, and vegetables in South Africa, papers were also delivered on the general role of potassium.
A very limited number of copies is available against payment of mailing charges.
Requests to: International Potash Institute, P.O. Box 41. 3048 Worblaufen - Bern. Switzerland.
^7
\ i iilii Soils of Israel. Properties, Genesis and Management. J. Dan. R. Gerson. Hanna Koyumdjisky and D.
H. Yaalon. The Volcani Centre. Bet Dagan. 1981, 353 p.
This book is written at the occasion of the International Conference on Aridic Soils, which took place in
Israel, March-April 1981. It gives a broad up-to-date review of the soils in the dry regions of southern Israel,
their characteristics and management and is as such independent from the soils conference and the excursion.
After a general introduction the main physiographic regions are discussed. These chapters contain data on
the landscape, geology, hydrology, vegetation and land use and the description and analytical data of
representative profiles. All soils are correlated with Soil Taxonomy and FAO/Unesco Soil Map of the World
terminology.
The book has many cross sections and some small maps. Each chapter has a list of references for further
reading. The price is low.
Price. US $ 1 1 . - .
Orders lo: Division of Scientific Publications. The Volcani Centre. Bet Dagan. Israel.
Mapa de Suelos de Alava y Memoria explicativa. J. Iniquez, I. Sanchez- Carpintero. R. Val Legaz, A. Romeo
y J. C. Bascones. Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona. 1980. 121 p. ISBN 84-500-3832-4.
This soil map at a scale of 1:200,000 of the province of Alava. located in the centre of northern Spain, has
been prepared on the basis of the units of the FAO/Unesco Soil Map of the World. Twenty two soil units
were encouterd and seventy four mapping units, mostly consisting of soil associations, were distinguished.
The explanatory text contains chapters on the climate and geomorphology, a comparatively long chapter
on (potential) vegetation and the morphological, chemical, and physical data and a colour photograph of
seventeen representative soil profiles, mainly Cambisols and Luvisols. The profiles are also classified in terms
of Soil Taxonomy at great group level and of the French 'Classification des Sols' at 'classe' level.
Orders lo: J. Iniguez. Departamento de Edafologia, Facultad de Farmacia. Universidad de Navarra,
Pamplona. Spain.
-Seminar on Agricultural Soil Erosion in Temperate Non-Mediterranean Climate. H. Vogt and T. Vogt,
editors. Université Louis Pasteur. Strasbourg, 1979, 264 p.
This publications contains the proceedings of a seminar held in Strasbourg, 20-23 September 1978. Most
of the 44 papers are in French, the rest is in English and one paper is in German. They all have summaries in
English and French and are followed by the discussions held.
The bibliography contains about 250 references. Contributions deal with field studies of erosion and
conservation measures, mostly performed in the temperate regions of Europe and with different aspects
of rainfall simulation.
Price: FF 50 in France. FF 60 elsewhere, including postage. Prepayment required.
Orders to: Mrs. T. Vogt. UER de Géographie, 43. Rue Goethe. 67083 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
Erosion and Sediment Transport in Pacific Rim Steeplands. Proceedings of the Christchurch Symposium,
January 1981. International Association of Hydrological Sciences, 1981, 654 p. IAHS Publication No 132.
The knowledge of erosion and stream sediment processes is dominated by studies from rolling lands and
sand-bed channels in relatively mature landscapes and it is a common experience of those working in
mountain lands to find the principles and research findings from these studies applied to steepland management. Steeplands have different and relatively poorly understood problems associated with their stability
and use and the Symposium was called to address these issues. The steep and mountain lands rimming the
Pacific plate were chosen for particular emphasis as these are geologically, tectonically and climatically
different from many continental mountain ranges. The Symposium was held in Christchurch. 25-31 January
1981. The themes were: methods for assessing slope erosion and nonchannel sediment sources in upland
regions, stream channel dynamics and morphology, human impact on erosion and sediment yield in
steeplands, and the impact and management of steeplands erosion. In all 38 papers were presented.
Price: S 45.00 or FF 210.
Orders to: Treasurer Int. Ass. of Hydrological Sciences, 2000 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009.
U.S.A., or: IUGG Publications Office. 39 ter Rue Gay Lussac. 75005 Paris, France.
The Role of Phosphorus in Agriculture. F. E. Khasewneh. E. C, Sample and E. J. Kamprath, editors.
American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America.
1980. 934 p., ISBN 0-89118-062-1.
This book is a compilation of updated papers, originally presented at a Symposium held at Muscle
Shoals, Alabama, from 1 -3 June 1976. It summarizes current knowledge about phosphorus as it relates to
agriculture and provides an authoritative reference work on this subject.
The book examines all aspects of the manufacture and supply of phosphorus fertilizers. The best possible
management of phosphorus as a plant nutrient is a significant topic in this book.
Price: S 25.00 plus 75 cents for orders outside the U.S.A. Prepayment required.
Orders lo: American Society of Agronomy, 677 South Segoe Road, Madison. WI 53711, U.S.A.
58
Remote Sensing Application in Agriculture and Hydrology. G. Fraysse. editor. A. A. Balkema. Rotterdam.
1980, 502 p. ISBN 90-6191-081-1
This book contains the complete and updated proceedings of an advanced seminar held at the Joint
Research Centre of the Commission of the European Communities in the framework of the Ispra Courses in
Ispra. Italy, from 21 November - 2 December 1977. The papers are on agriculture, hydrology, forestry, land
use. environmental monitoring and meteorology and deal mostly with Europe and North America. The use
of activities in several remote sensing techniques are discussed : the most traditional photointerpretation of
aerospace photography, automatic photointerpretation, together with digital processing of multispectral
scanner and modern microwave sensors data (radar, passive microwave radiometer). The 30 papers,
originally presented in 1977. were updated and re-written, reflecting the rapid progress in this field.
Of the many international gatherings in the field of remote sensing, the Ispra Seminar is one of the very few
which has limited itself strictly to agricultural and hydrological applications.
This title is a companion volume to 'Application of Remote Sensing to Agricultural Production Forecasting', which is also announced in Bulletin 59.
Price: Dfl. 142.00 or US S 75.00.
Orders to: A. A. Balkema, P.O. Box 1675,3000 BR Rotterdam, the Netherlands, or: A. A. Balkema. 99 Main
Street. Salem, NH 03079. U.S.A.
Geomedical Aspects in Present and Future Research. J. Lag. editor. Universitetsforlaget. Oslo. Bergen.
Tromse, 1980, 226 p. ISBN. 82-00-12654-4
Geomedicine is defined by Prof. J. L âg, the Chairman of the conference where the papers contained in this
book were presented, as 'the science dealing with the ordinary environmental factors influencing the
geographical distribution of pathological and nutritional problems relating to human and animal health.'
Interior environmental conditions and genetically based problems fall outside this subject.
This publication contains 23 papers on the influences of climate and soil constituants, especially trace
elements. Much attention is given to the effects of selenium. Regional papers are mostly confined to the
Nordic countries.
The group of scientists gathered at the Conference, held in Oslo in May 1978, was of the opinion that an
internationally organized research effort was needed in the very wide and complicated field of geomedicine.
Price: Norw. Kr. 145.00
Orders lo: Universitetsforlaget, Box 2977 Teyen, Oslo 6, Norway; Global Book Resources. 109 Great
Rüssel Street. London WC1B 3ND, England ; and : Columbia Univ. Press. 136 South Broadway, Irvingtonon-Hudson. New York 10533. U.S.A.
Methods of Chemical Analyses for Soils and Water (third edition) L. Th. Begheijn. Dept. of Soil Science and
Geology. Agr. Univ., Wageningen, 1980, 100 p.
This mimeographed manual is a major revision of the 1971 edition. New analytical procedures, the
development of specific methods for the analysis of acid sulphate soils and the extension of the analytical
programme of the Department with water analysis made this revision necessary.
Most of the elemental analysis described in the former edition are now done by X-ray fluorescence
spectrometry (XRFS) and have been omitted from the present edition. Besides the chemical analyses,
several instrumental techniques as ionchromatography (Dionex) and (total) carbon analysis (TOC analyzer), were introduced in the analytical programme. It was outside the scope of the manual to describe these
specific techniques in detail; summaries and main points are give as the specific outlines of these techniques
are attributed lo the two instruments.
The SI nomenclature and units are used throughout.
Requests to: a limited number of copies is available free of charge by writing to : Mr. L. Th. Begheijn. Dept. of
Soil Science and Geology. Agricultural University. P.O. Box 37. 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
U.S. Department of Agriculture documents.
Updata Publications announces a unique total information system for USDA documents from their
inception in the late 1800's to date.
The documents are filmed in their entirety on 24X Diazo microfiche, and indexed by subject, title, author
and document numbers in clothbound book editions. They will be available beginning in 1982 on a
commercial online information retrieval system. Unlike most online data bases, the updata agricultural
collection will offer microfiche backup for every online entry.
This information is being offered on a complete series-by-series basis. There are fourteen series on
microfiche available now, such as Statistical Bulletins, Yearbook of Agriculture, and Agricultural Handbooks. All microfiche will be updated annually, indexes will be cumulated, and online information updated
periodically.
Forfurther information contact Updata Publications. 1756 Westwood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
U.S.A.
59
Soil Associations of Ireland and their Land Use Potential. Explanatory Bulletin to the Soil Map of Ireland.
1980. M.J. Gardiner and T. Radford. Soil Survey Bulletin No. 36. An Foras Talûntais. Dublin. 1980. 143 p.
ISBN 0-905442-49-0.
This second edition of the general soil map of Ireland at a scale of 1: 575.000 is a great improvement on the
first edition of 1969. It includes much new information both in terms of different soil types and more precise
distribution patterns.
The bulletin begins with chapters on soil formation, the soil survey method and the soil classification
system used in Ireland. The soil map legend is based on five major physiographic regions in which 44 soil
associations of 10 Great Soil Groups are recognized. The principal soil and the associated soils are given for
each association, together with an estimate of their extent. The description of the major soils of the country is
followed by an interesting chapter on their limitations as well as their potential for different uses. Information on the soil distribution in Northern Ireland is also included in this map.
In conjunction with 'The Peatlands of Ireland' (bulletin and map at the same scale) by R. F. Hammond
(An Foras Talûntais. 1979) this is a valuable description of the mineral and organic soils of Ireland.
Map and bulletin are well produced and contain many tables and 19 photographs of landscapes and soils.
Price: Irish £ 3.85, seamail charges £ 0.67.
Orders to: The Agricultural Institute. 19 Sandymount Avenue, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Ireland.
Abstracts of MARDI Publications. Volume 11971-1974(341 abstracts). Volume II 1976-1977 (243 abstracts).
MARDI. Serdang. 1980.
These volumes with abstracts of publications cover all research papers published or presented at conferences, symposia, etc. by scientists of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute
(MARDI) in Serdang. Selangor. Malaysia.
Main subjects are: crops, livestock, basic sciences including soil science, plant science, engineering and
water management and crop protection, economics, project development, data processing, and food science.
Both volumes have an author and subject index.
Price: US $ 10.00 each.
Orders to: Publication Branch. MARDI. P.O. Box 202. Unipertama. Serdang, Selangor. Malaysia.
Electron micrographs of clav minerals. T. Sudo, S. Shimoda, H. Yotsumoto and S. Aita. Developments in
Sedimentology 31. Elsevier.' 1980. 228 p. ISBN 0-444-99751-2.
Recent progress in electron microscopy now facilitates the determination of the finer textures and
structures of clay minerals. With some 150 micrographs and electron diffraction patterns, this book gives a
very useful account of the present state of the art. In addition to pictures showing crystal habit, with
magnifications up to 3.000.000 limes the molecular structures of clay minerals are revealed.
The book comprises three chapters: the introductory chapter provides basic knowledge of clay mineral
structures and an outline of the variability of order-disorder configurations. In chapter 2 the experimental
techniques for taking the pictures are described in detail, whereas chapter 3 contains the pictures themselves
each with a brief explanatory text describing the samples.
Price: Dtt. 150.00
Orders to: Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company. Box 211. 1000 AE Amsterdam. The Netherlands, or:
Elsevier North-Holland. 52 Vanderbilt Ave. New York, N.Y. 10017. U.S.A., or: Kodansha Ltd., 12-21
Otowa 2-chome, Bunkyo-ku. Tokyo 112. Japan.
Atlas of Soil Reflectance Properties. E. R. Stoner. M. F. Baumgardner. L. L. Biehl and B. F. Robinson.
Agricultural Experiment Station. Purdue University. West Lafayette. Indiana. 1980. 75 p.
In delineating differences between soils and in describing the characteristics of a soil profile, colour is one
of the most obvious and useful attributes for documenting these differences. For more than 50 years soil
scientists have worked to refine and make more quantitative the descriptions of soil colour.
Since soil colour is related to numerous other soil properties, it is important that soil colour descriptions be
as precise as possible. Recent developments in field and laboratory have reduced much of the subjectivity
involved in determining soil colour. New instrumentation also provides the opportunity to obtain precise
quantitative reflectance measurements not only in the visible portion (colour) of the electromagnetic
spectrum but also in the near and middle infrared regions, x However, in the near and middle infrared
there are great differences in both the shapes of the curves and the intensity of reflectance.
The purpose of this atlas is to present for the first time a compendium of laboratory-measured soil
parameters and soil site characteristics together with reflectance measurements of soils. Only those soil
parameters and site characteristics known to influence soil reflectance properties are included, with the
recognition that even more detailed soil mineralogical and organic constituent investigations are needed to
understand soil refiectance differences.
The 251 soils selected represent a wide range of soil-forming conditions characteristic of soils in the United
States and Brazil.
Prize: US $ 2.00 including postage; prepayment required.
Orders to: Publications Mailing Room. AGAD. Purdue University. West Lafayette. IN 47907. U.S.A.
60
Interactions Between Herbicides and the Soil. R. J. Hance. editor. Academic Press, London and New York,
1980, 349 p. ISBN 0-12-323840-4.
Herbicides are essential to modern agriculture as it is currently practised and whatever agricultural
changes take place in the future the need for them will continue for many years to come.
This book, written by members of the Herbicide-Soil Working group of the European Weed Research
Society is a critical evaluation of the present knowledge about the behaviour of herbicides in the soil. It is
hoped that bringing this information together in one volume will contribute to agricultural practice,
academic sciences and legislation.
The book contains 10 papers with extensive lists of references and a summary, which is also translated in
French and German.
The book begins with the physical aspects, such as adsorption and mobility of herbicides in the soil, then
goes on to discuss uptake by plants and weed control performance. Subsequent sections deal with decomposition . persistence and finally the effects on soil biology.
There is particular emphasis throughout on the limitations of experimental techniques and the ways in
which results are interpreted. These factors are examined from the academic, agronomic and legislative
viewpoints.
This book not only provides an evaluation of the current understanding of the interaction of herbicides
with the soil, but it also indicates areas of uncertainty thus providing the basis for establishing future research
priorities. It will therefore be useful to scientists and administrators, whether in research institutes, industry
or government.
Price. £ 20.60. or $49,50
Orders lo: Academic Press. 24-48 Oval Road, London NWI 7DX, England, or: 111 Fifth Avenue. New
York, NY 10003. U.S.A.
Advances in Microbial Ecology, Volume 4. M. Alexander, editor. Plenum Publ. Corp., New York, 1980. 247
p. ISBN 0-306-40493-1.
This review series deals with the ecology of microorganisms in natural and man-made ecosystems. The
series focuses on all major microbial types in a diverse group of ecosystems. It examines bacteria, fungi, algae,
protozoa, and viruses in such environments as freshwater, ocean, soil, and other ecosystems in which
microoroganisms arc prominent. Articles cover both basic and applied problems of microbial ecology and
environmental microbiology and consider problems of biogeochemical cycles, pollution, and chemical
changes brought about by microbial communities in many habitats and circumstances.
The fourth volume opens with an examination of the ecology of protozoa, constraints on their populations, and their role in nutrient cycling and energy flow. This is followed by a detailed outline of recent
information on a unique micro-environment, the surface microlayer of aquatic ecosystems. Next, the volume
offers an incisive review on the genus Rhizobium, a group of bacteria whose importance has grown as the
cost of fuel for production of nitrogen fertilizers and ultimately for protein production has increased.
Consideration is then given to two terrestrial ecosystems: flooded soils that are common in much of Asia for
rice production; and Histosols, a related ecosystem that is dominated by organic rather than inorganicmaterials. It closes with a thorough evaluation of immunofluorescence as a technique for the study of the
ecology of microorganisms.
Also Volumes I, 2, and 3. published by Plenum in 1977, 1978, and 1979 respectively contain papers on
microorganisms and the soil environment.
Price: $ 32.50.
Orders lo: Plenun Publishing Corporation, 233 Spring Street. New York, NY 10013 U.S.A.
Porous Media, Fluid Transport and Pore Structure. F A X . Dullien. Academic Press. New York and London.
1979. 416 p. ISBN 0-12-223650-5.
Here is a comprehensive treatment of the role of pore structure in the interpretation of experimental data
and how pore structure affects model calculations.
This volume shows the benefits to be gained from studying phenomena in porous media in terms of three
factors. These are transport phenomena, interfacial effects, and pore structure. The book provides examples
of these concepts in application.
One of the major tenets of this book is the inseparability of pore structure from convective. diffusive, and
interfacial effects within pores.
Following the introductory chapter, the three foundations of the physical phenomena associated with
pore space in porous media are discussed. These are capillarity, pore structure, and single phase flow and
diffusion. One of the book's features is its numerous cross-references. The building blocks set out in the
opening chapters are referred to throughout the book. Thus, it makes an excellent self-teaching tool and
reference source.
Other topics discussed in detail in this volume include:
simultaneous flow of immiscible fluids and immiscible displacement.
- wettability and capillary vs. viscous forces, and
- miscible displacement and hydrodynamic dispersion.
Price: $ 45.00 or £ 25.20.
Orders lo: see above.
61
Soil Moisture Workshop. J. L. Heilman, V. I. Myers, D. G. Moore, T. J. Schmugge and D. B. Friedman,
editors. NASA Conference Publication 2973, 1978, 218 p.
The soil moisture workshop was held at the USDA National Agricultural Library, Beltsville. Maryland,
from 17-19 January 1978. The objectives were to evaluate the state of the art of remote sensing of soil
moisture; examine the needs of potential users; and make recommendations concerning the future of soil
moisture research and development. To accomplish these objectives, small working groups were organized in
advance of the workshop to prepare position papers. These as well as the keynote addresses and the
proceedings of summary and recommendation sessions are contained in the present publication, it was
concluded that significant progress has been made in the development of remote sensing techniques for
estimating soil moisture. Some useful applications for soil moisture information had been demonstrated to
substantiate a research-oriented program for the development of an operational system for the remote
sensing of soil moisture. Although mainly dealing with conditions in the U.S.A., the publication is also of
interest for soil scientist in other countries.
Orders to: National Technical Information Services, Springfield, Virginia 22151, U.S.A.
Advanced Chemical Methods for Soil and Clay Minerals Research. J. W. Stucki and W. L. Banwart, editors.
D. Reidel Publ. Comp., 1980. 477 p. ISBN 90-277-1158-5.
This publication contains the proceedings of a meeting held at the University of Illinois, Urbana from 23
July - 4 August 1979, organized within the framework of the NATO Advanced Study Institutes.
During the past few years there has been a marked increase in the use of advanced chemical methods in
studies of soil and clay mineral systems, but only a relatively small number of soil and clay scientists have
become intimately associated and acquainted with these new techniques. The number of scientific publications using chemical methods to study soils and clays is increasing at a rapid rate, and the time is right to
collect a detailed discussion of all of these methods. This was the objective of the meeting.
The present publication, volume 63 of the NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series C - Mathematical and
Physical Sciences, summarizes the theory and most current applications of six different spectroscopic
methods to soil and/or clay mineral systems. The instrumental methods examined are Mössbauer, neutron
scattering. X-ray photoelectron (XPS. ESCA). nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electron spin resonance
(ESR, EPR), and photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS). The book is certainly much more than just an introduction and it is hoped that the ability of earth scientists to take advantage of a greater variety of research
instruments for solving difficult problems will be increased.
The book is well produced, cloth bound, and has many tables and figures. For a list of other books in Series
C - Mathematical and Physical Sciences, please apply to the publishers.
Price: Dfl. 110.00, US $ 58.00.
Orders to : D. Reidel Publishing Company. P.O. Box 17. 3300 AA Dordrecht, the Netherlands, or: 190 Old
Derby Street. Hingham. MA 02043, U.S.A.
pH Measurement. C. Clark Westcott. Academic Press, New York and London, 1978, 192 p. ISBN 0-12745150-1
This manual provides a basic, practical source of information on the principles, equipment, and technique
of this operation. Based on the author's experience with pH measurement for over a decade, this simplified
guide is geared to laboratory applications for problem solving, training personnel, and obtaining accurate
results. Chapters cover the theory of pH. characteristics, care, and performance of pH equipment and
standard solutions, the use of proper technique in difficult applications, and troubleshooting, with examples
drawn from everyday laboratory and field experience. This handy manual will serve as an essential reference
in a range of diverse industries and laboratories.
Price: $ 25.00 or £14.10.
Orders lo: Academic Press. 111 Fith Avenue, New York, NY 10003, U.S.A., or: 24/28 Oval Road. London
NWI 7DX. England.
Handbook on Reference Methods for Soil Testing (Revised Edition). Council on Soil Testing and Plant
Analysis. Athens, 1980. 147 p.
This handbook is a completely revised and updated edition of the 1974 issue. It contains detailed
laboratory procedures and reference materials on commonly used soil testing methods, including water and
salt pH. and lime requirement tests ; and extraction methods for the major elements and micronutrients. Tests
for organic matter content and a special greenhouse soilless mix test are included. The handbook is written
for all those engaged is the application of the soil testing technique for making fertilizer recommendations.
Price: US $ 7.50 in North America and $ 10.00 elsewhere. Cheques should be made payable to: Council on
Soil Testing and Plant Analysis.
Orders to: Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr., Council on Soil Testing and Plant Analysis. Horticulture Dept., 1111
Plant Science Bldg.. Univ. of Georgia. Athens. Georgia 30602, U.S.A.
62
New Zealand Soils. An Introduction. H. S. Gibbs. Oxford University Press, Wellington. 1980, 117 p. ISBN 019-558057-5.
This introduction to the soils of New Zealand is written for students in physical geography and of earth
and soil sciences. It contains descriptions of the types of soils and their suitability for farming and forestry
and discusses different methods of soil management and their effect on environmental conditions. For all
soils the approximate equivalents in units of the FAO/Unesco Soil Map of the World and U.S. Soil
Taxonomy are given, which make this book more accessible to people not acquainted with the soil classification of New Zealand.
The book has many illustrative photographs of soils, landscapes, and vegetation types and different forms
of land use.
Price: £ 8.50.
Orders to: Oxford University Press, 116 High Street, Oxford OX1 4BZ, England.
Application of Remote Sensing to Agricultural Production Forecasting. A. Berg, editor. A. A. Balkema,
Rotterdam. 1980, 272 p. ISBN 90-6191-0897
This title is a companion volume to "Remote Sensing Application to Agriculture and Hydrology' which is
alos announced in Bulletin 59. It contains eighteen complete lectures of a course held at the Joint Research
Centre of the Commission of the European Communities in the framework of the Ispra Courses from 15-19
October 1979. The short term forecasting of annual or periodical crop produciion is becoming an essential
requirement for both agronomists and food economists working towards a more efficient management of
crops and food supplies. The topics are: basic information and concepts in crop production, crop-yield,
weather modelling, and contribution of remote sensing techniques.
Price: Dlf. 120.00 or US S 55.00.
Orders lo: A.A. Balkema, P.O. Box 1675,3000 BR Rotterdam, the Netherlands, or : A. A. Balkema, 99 Main
Street. Salem, NH 03079, U.S.A.
Information systems for soil and related data. A. W. Moore, B. G. Cook and L. G. Lynch, editors. Pudoc,
Wageningen. 1981, 161 p. ISBN 90-220-0763-4.
The first Australian Workshop on Soil Information Systems was held in Canberra in 1976 under the
auspices of Commission V of ISSS. This meeting brought together people in Australia who were actively
working on, or interested in. techniques associated with information systems for soil and related data. Their
experiences had been mainly with the use of computers to carry out existing procedures more efficiently than
was possible by manual handling.
Since that first meeting, there have been a number of development in the administrative and technological
fields associated with information systems for soils and other land resource data. With a time lapse of nearly
four years since the last meeting, the Soil Conservation Service of New Sout Wales and CSIRO considered it
appropriate that another meeting be held in Australia and consequently this second workshop was jointly
organized by them, once again under the auspices of ISSS. It was held in Canberra, Australia, from 19-21
February 1980.
The wider use of information systems has meant that there is a need for more thought to be given to the
type of data collected, the structure of data bases, and the uses and potential users of the systems. It is
pleasing to note that all these points are discussed in papers presented to this workshop.
Price: Dfl. 25.00
Orders lo: Pudoc, P.O. Box 4, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
In addition to the proceedings mentioned above, those of three meetings held earlier are : Soil Information
Systems (Proceedings Netherlands 1975) - Dfl. 15.00; Uses of Soil Information Systems (Proceedings
Australia 1976)-Dfl. 17.50;and: Developments in Soil Information Systems (Proceedings Bulgaria 1977)Dfl. 17.50.
Orders to Pudoc at the address mentioned above.
The last publication can also be ordered from ISSS, c/o ISM. P.O. Box 353. 6700 AJ Wageningen. The
Netherlands.
63
New .lomnais Nouveaux JournauxNeue Zeitschrifte
Photosynthesis Research. An International Journal. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, the Hague. Boston and London.
ISBN 0166-8595.
Photosynthesis Research aims to provide a forum for original papers dealing with all aspects of photosynthesis research, including primary reactions, electron transport, photophosphorylation, carbon assimilation, structure and ultrastructure, energy from biomass. regulatory phenomena and environmental and
ecological aspects.
Papers on all aspects of photorespiration will be welcome, as well as papers on C 0 2 fixation in CAM
plants.
Papers will be considered for publication at all levels of plant organization: subcellular, cellular, whole
plant and canopy levels.
The Editor-in Chief is R. Marcelle. Laboratory of Plant Physiology. Research Station of Gorsem. Brede
Akker 3. B-3800 Sint Truiden. Belgium.
Subscription prices: for institutions Dfl. 120 plus Dfl. 19 for postage and handling; for individuals Dfl. 79
including postage and handling.
Orders to: Dr. W. Junk Publishers. P.O. Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht. The Netherlands.
Biological Agriculture & Horticulture. An International Journal. AB Academic Publishers, Berkhamsted.
This is the first scientific journal to focus on the development of biological husbandry as a viable form of
agriculture. During the past 40 years agriculture and horticulture in the developed countries have become
more intensive, mechanised and energy-consuming. Although these developments have resulted in very large
increases in productivity they have been shown in some instances to have been accompanied by detrimental
side-effects of an environmental and social nature and by an excessive use of world resources. More recently,
since the energy crisis, this system of agriculture has become subject lo the constraints of rapidly-increasing
energy prices. Problems associated with modern, conventional agriculture may become intensified when they
system is applied to the developing countries indeed this type of agriculture is frequently not applicable to
the economic and social conditions to be found in these countries.
Alternative systems, based upon biological principles, have been devised with the intention of minimising
these problems. Such systems of biological agriculture and horticulture, otherwise known by the overall term
biological husbandry, attempt to provide a balanced environment in which the maintenance of soil fertility
and the control of pests and diseases are achieved by the enhancement of natural processes and cycles, with
only moderate inputs of energy and resources - but without any significant loss of productivity.
The areas covered by the journal are: soil fertility and management, biological control methods, energy
utilization studies, agricultural systems, development of appropriate technologies, and biological agriculture
and horticulture. The editor is Dr. R. D. Hodges.
Subscription price (1981): 4 issues, $ 75 or £ 34. postpaid for institutions. S 33 or £ 15 for individuals who
subscribe to the first volume.
Orders to: AB Academic Publishers, P.O. Box 97. Berkhamsted. Herts. HP4 2PX. England.
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. Bi-monthly Journal. John Wiley & Sons.
From January 1981 the well-established journal Earth Surface Processes will increase its scope and cover a
more extensive subject area. It will include research papers on all aspects of pure and applied geomorphology
interpreted in its widest sense. Topics in soils include : the physical and chemical breakdown of the earth's
surface regoliths and soils, surface geochemistry, solute and nutrient cycling, soil dynamics and erosion,
soil properties and mechanics, soil development and toposequences. The journal is sponsored and supported
by the British Geomorphological Research Group through editors appointed by the Group.
Specimen copies andfurther information: John Wiley & Sons, Baffins Lane, Chichester. Sussex P019 1UD.
England, or: 605 Third Avenue. New York. NY 10016, U.S.A.
Climatic Change. An Interdisciplinary. International Journal Devoted to the Description, Causes and
Implications of Climatic Change. D. Reidel Publ. Comp.. Dordrecht. ISSN 0165-0009.
More and more, climatic change is being debated throughout the world as man begins to realise the impact
ofclimate on society. There is scarcely an aberration ofclimate anywhere in the world that does not have
social and economic repercussions both at national and international levels. How man manages the land,
produces energy, pollutes the atmosphere, and so on. all tend to upset the pattern of world climate.
The purpose of the journal is to provide a means of exchange among those working on problems related to
climatic variations but in different disciplines. The journal also includes a book review section, invited signed
editorials, partial proceedings of a few selected meetings, and an opinions section for unsolicited letters to the
editor.
Subscription: Private Dfl. 55.00; Institutions: Dfl. 136.00. Both rates include postage.
Orders lo: D. Reidel Publishing Company. P.O. Box 17, 3300 AA Dordrecht, the Netherlands, or : 190 Old
Derby Street. Hingham. MA 02043, U.S.A.
(.4
Advances in Earth Oriented Applications of Space Technology. An International Journal. Pergamom.
Space technology has now progressed from the initial phase of exploration, and this progression has led to
four major areas of utilization which have been developed to varying degrees : telecommunications ; observing and monitoring Earth's resources and environment; using the space environment to further scientific
research into natural and life science phenomena and to look for new products and techniques: and the
fulfilment of mankind's energy needs.
This progress, however, has created significant and steadily increasing information gaps between developers and users of space technology - systems designers and specialists - policy makers suppliers of
technology. This quarterly will provide the information bridge between these groups. Emphasis will be on
practical applications, systems, performance and factual information. Surveys, trend analyses, strength
and weakness assessments, cost-benefit analyses, legal aspects and social implications will also be covered.
Subscription: 1981 : US S 80.00; 1981 and 1982: US S 152,00.
Orders to: Pergamon Press. Headington Hill Hall, Oxford OX3 OBW, England, or: Fairview Park. Elmsford. New York. NY 10523. U.S.A.
Soil Survey and Land Evaluation, A Young and D. Dent. Editors. A new international journal, 3 issues per
year. Geo Books. Norwich.
This new journal is designed to act as a forum for communication between those engaged in soil survey, in
land evaluation, and in the application of the results of these activities to land use planning and management.
The journal serves as a link between individuals engaged in soil and land evaluation surveys and between
the different kinds of organization concerned : national soil surveys, international organizations, consultant
firms and universities. A further function stems from the nature of the work itself. There is a spectrum of
activities, commencing with soil mapping, continuing through soil survey interpretation and land evaluation, and ending with the many ways in which the results of surveys are put into practice: farm advisory
services, land use planning, land development projects, engineering works, land management in the urban
fringe zone and many other ways. There is a real need for those concerned with one part of this spectrum to
communicate with others, on the one hand, so that soil surveys can supply users with the information they
need, and on the other, so that the results of surveys are received with understanding and put to good use.
The major fields of interest of the journal are thus: soil survey, its methods and content, soil survey
interpretation and land evaluation, and the application of the results of soil surveys and land evaluation
studies to planning and land management.
The journal includes substantive articles, technical notes, reports on survey developments in different
countries, reviews of books, survey maps and memoirs, and ongoing discussion of topics raised.
Volume I appears in 1981.
Subscription price: £ 3.50 or $ 8.50(1981) including mailing charges.
Orders to: Geo Books, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, England.
65
NEWS FROM THE ISSS SECRETARIAT AND TREASURY
NOUVELLES DU SECRETARIAT ET DE LA TRESORERIE DE L'AISS
MITTEILUNGEN DES IBG-SEKRETARIATS UND DER
KASSENVERWALTUNG
GroupflightBrussels-Bombay-New Delhi-Bombay Brussels (see Bulletin 58, p. 21 ) At the
current dollar rate of July 1981 the price will be less than 700 US dollars.
Information: Dr. D. Gabriels, University of Ghent, Coupure Links 533, B 9000 Ghent,
Belgium, tel. 91236961
Vol groupé Bruxelles-Bombay-New Delhi-Bombay-Bruxelles (Voir Bulletin 58, p. 21)
Au taux dollar actuellement en vigueur (juillet 1981) le prix sera inférieur à 700 US
dollars.
Information: Dr. Ir. D. Gabriels. Université de Gand, Coupure Links 533, B 9000
Gand, Belgique, tel 91236961.
Gruppenflug Brussel-Bombay-New Delhi-Bombay-Brussel (S. Mitteilungen 58, seite 22)
Nach dem Kursansteig der Dollar werde der Preis weniger als 700 US Dollar betragen
(Juli 1981).
Auskünfte: Dr. D. Gabriels, Universität von Gent, Coupure Links 533. B 9000 Cent,
Belgien.
EINNAHMEN-AUSGABEN RECHNUNG für den Zeitraum 1. Januar 31. Dezember
1980
(Schatzmeister + Generalsekretariat)
Einnahmen
Saldo am 1 Januar 1980
- Generalsekretariat Wageningen
Schatzmeister Gent
- Anlage bei Spareinlage
Mitgliedsbeiträge
Subskriptionen
Anzeigen
Verkauf von Publikationen
Bankzinsen
Spenden(1)
Subventionen (2)
Verkauf von Ausrüstungen
US dollars
8,150.60
17.121.66
8.000.00
26.988.89
499.12
613.57
222.20
253.48
7.500.00
16.205.00
502.31
Ausgaben
Sekretarielle Aushilfe
Reisen und Representation
Ausrüstung und Versorgungsgüter
Druckkosten
Bangebühren
Post und Telephongebühren
Beihilfe Subkommission A
Vorschusz für micromorfologische
Nachforschung
12. Kongrcss
Subventionen (3)
Erwerb von Publikationen
US dollars
1.024.14
2,879.18
1,176.03
13.180.13
173.88
15.775.08
198.00
7.500.00
15.870.00
540.88
58,317.32
Saldo
Bankguthaben (4)
Anlage bei Spareinlage
86.006.29
19.688.97
8,000.00
86.006.29
(1) Beitrage Institut für Bodenkartographie Sliboka Tür 1980.
(2) Beitrage Departement für Nachforschung. Ministerium für Landwirtschaft der Niederlanden und Universität für Landwirtschaft, Wageningen.
(3) Ausgabe 1'lSM'lTCfür Aushilfe Sekretariat während 1980.
(4) Dollars. Franken. Gulden. Marken, etc.
66
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the period 1 January 31 December
1980
(treasurer + secretary-general)
Receipts
Balance on January 1, 1980
secretary Wageningen
treasurer Ghent
- deposit with savings account
Membership fees
Subscriptions
Advertisements
Sale of books/publications
Interests
Grants (1)
Subventions (2)
Sale of equipment
US dollars
8.150.06
17.121.66
8,000.00
26,988.89
499.12
613.57
222.20
253.48
7.500.00
16.205.00
502.31
Payments
Secretarial assistance
Travel and representation
Equipment and supplies
Printing
Bankcharges
Postal and telephone charges
Subsidy subcommission A
Advance for micromorphological
research 12th Congress
Subventions (3)
Purchase of books/publications
US dollars
1.024.14
2,879.18
1.176.03
13,180.13
173.88
15,775.08
198.00
7,500.00
15.870.00
540.88
58.317.32
Balance carried forward
cash in bank (4)
deposit with savings account
86.006.29
19.688.97
8,000.00
86,006.29
(1) Contribution by Dutch Soil Survey Institute Stiboka for 1980.
(2) Contribution by Research Division. Dutch Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural University Wageningen.
(3) Payment to ISM/ITC for 1980 administrative support to secretariat.
(4) US Dollars. Belgian francs, Dutch guilders and other currencies.
RECETTES ET DEPENSES pour la période du 1 janvier au 31 décembre 1980
(trésorier + secrétaire-général)
Recettes
Bilan au 1 janvier 1980
- secrétaire Wageningen
- trésorier Gand
- dépôt au Compte d'épargne
Cotisation des members
Souscriptions
Réclames
Vente de livres/publications
Intérêts banquaires
Allocations (1)
Subventions (2)
Vente d"équipement
US dollars
8,150.06
17,121.66
8.000.00
26.988.89
499.12
613.57
222.20
253.48
7,500.00
16,205.00
502.31
Dépenses
Aide secrétariel
Réprésentation et déplacement
Equipement et fournitures
Impression
Frais banquaires
Frais postaux et téléphones
Subside Sous-Commission A
Avance pour la recherche
micromorphologique
12me Congrès
Subventions (3)
Achat de livres/publications
US dollars
1,024.14
2,879.18
1,176.03
13,180.13
173.88
15,775.08
198,00
7.500.00
15,870.00
540.88
58,317.32
Solde/créditeur
avoir en banque (4)
dépôt au Compte d'épargne
86,006.29
19,688.97
8,000.00
86.006.29
(1) Contribution de l'Institut de Cartographie des Sols Stiboka pour 1980.
(2) Contribution du Département de la Recherche. Ministère de l'Agriculture des Pays-Bas, et de
l'Université de l'Agriculture à Wageningen.
(3) Dépenses à ISM/ITC comme support administratif au secrétariat pour 1980.
(4) Dollars, francs, florins, marks, etc..
67
International Society of Soil Science
BY-LAWS PROPOSED BY THE ISSS COMMITTEE-ON-RULES
/June 1979)
1. Status of Subcommissions and Working Groups
1.1 Subcommissions
(a) A subcommission is defined as covering a subject that goes across the subjects of several Commissions, and
is of a semi-permanent nature.
The members of a Subcommission (c.q. those attending a Subcommission meeting) elect their own
Chairman and the other Officers, in a way indentical to that of the Commissions (see Rule H.9). Even
though more members may participate in an official Inter-Congress Meeting on the subject than in the
General Congress, this election of Officers should take place at the latter event.
(b) The Chairmen of the Subcommissions are not members of the Executive Committee; they are to be
represented at EC and Coucil meetings by a Commission Chairman of their choice, to he approved by the
Coucil.
Proliferation of Subcommissions should be avoided.
1.2. Working Groups
(c) Working Groups ( theformer'Committees' ) are definedas dealing with ad-hoc problems usually within the
sphere of interest of one Commission. They therefore should have a deadline of existence and their activities
should he wound upl terminated at some stage.
Their Chairmen arc nominated by the Chairman of the Commission(s) concerned (Rule H.l 1). and
should be approved by the Coucil during the General Congress.
(d) At each General Congress the mandate of a Working Group is to be reviewed, leading to either a
continuation or termination of its activities.
(e) The Secretary-General should remind the respective Commission Chairman well before the General
Congress that he investigates on the useful life-span of his Working Groups, and that the invites each to
submit either a terminal report, or a state-of-the-art report with a suggested programme for the postCongress period, including an expected date of completation of their activities.
Unlike the situation with the Subcommissions, no provisions are made for the appointment of ViceChairmcn or Secretaries for the Working Groups from the host country of the next Congress. One of the
reasons for this is that a Working Group Chairman may want to have a Secretary if he wants one at all
to reside nearby, for close contact on solving ad-hoc problems, and for help in servicing the Working
Group.
Because the Council will have to approve the creation of a new Working Group (Rule H.ll).
(0 there can be no formal establishment of a new Working-Group in-between Congresses.
If a group of members wants to start tackling an ad-hoc problem well before the next Congress and the
activities are being prepared and executed with substantial vigour, then the Secretary-General should
(g) be duly informed and a provisional steering committee may be formed, provided the Executive Committee approves through correspondence with the SG.
Note by the SG : Proposed by-laws (0 and (g) will become superfluous, if the proposal for a change-ofrule. as put up for voting in Bulletin 58, is carried.
(h) In a similar way, not officially Council-approved Inter-Congress Activities (e.g. symposia on a specific
problem) can become 'morally supported by the ISSS, upon approval by the Executive Committee through correspondence with the SG. It is stipulated that in such cases the meeting should have an
international character, that the announcements be made well in time, that the E.C. members are
invited to participate, and that they be represented on the steering or organizing committee.
Note:
Official Inter-Congress Acitivities are. likewise as the Congress, open to ISSS members only, unless they
are joint undertakings with non-ISSS organizations. In either case the organizing committee should
require that attending soil scientists be registered as ISSS members (application forms to be provided by
the SG). It will be appreciated that a 10% of the Meeting Registration fee be transferred to the ISSS
Treasury, as retribution for publicity given in het ISSS Bulletin (compare the General Congress)
2. Voting for Officers of the Commissions and Subcommissions
To promote fair geographical distribution of Officers, and to avoid past frustrations on procedures at
Congress votings in general, a number of by-laws is necessary.
(i) All interested ISSS members attending the Commission sessions at the Congress have a right to vote for
Officers (note: this is slightly different from Rules H.4 and H.5 which speak of 'attending members of
the Commissions' and the next Congress Council should be asked to approve on this).
All attendents at the Congress have to be or to become ISSS members. This has however not always been
controllable in the past during individual Commission sessions, especially as regards participation of
soil scientists from the host country.
68
0)
(k)
(I)
(m)
(n)
(o)
Therefore, congress cards, giving entitlement to voting, will be handed out by the SG/Treasurer at the
start of the Congress to alle existing and newly registering members.
Voting per Commission is not to take place at the same time, but consecutively, and is duly announced.
The congress cards of members participating in the voting are duly stamped with a Commission Seal
upon the hand-out of balloting papers. Voting for candidates is secret.
The incumbent Chairman of a Commission invites, before or at the relevant Congress session, nominations
for new Officers, that are signed by at least ten members. If they wish to do so, the Nacional Societies can
propose nominations, provided that it is supported by ten signatories of that Society that are also paidup ISSS members. The signatories or nominees do not have to be present at the Congress : the nominee
must however have given written indication of his willingness to stand for election.
It is the intention that one of the new Vice-Chairman/men of a Commission should be prepared lo function
as Chairman after having served the four-year period. This implies that Commission Chairmen normally
serve as such for only one period of four years.
The nominations are to be accompanied by a short presentation of the candidate!s) by one of the
signatories-nominators, highlighting his merits and involvement in the Commission's affairs. The
presentation may include a preview of the programmes that the candidate should like to pursue in the
forthcoming period.
3. Nominating Committee
(p) Each voter puts down two names of nominees, for each of the three positions lo be filled by election,
consecutively; the two names most mentioned for each position will be handed over by the Presiding Officer
of the Commission to the general Nominating Committee, for consideration and action as given in Rule
H.IO.
It is suggested that the President of the Society, as President of the Council, is also Chairman of the
(q) Nominating Committee (Rule H.5), The two members from each Commission that shall form part of
the Nominating Committee should not be candidates themselves for any of the vacant Officers posts.
It is suggested that the immediate Past Chairman or his nominee is one of the two members of the Nominating Committee.
(r) After explaining this to attending ISSS members, the Chairman, in consultation with the other Officers of
the Commission, proposes two names. If this proposal is not carried by a consensus (show of hands), then
the proposal, as well as alternative nominations from the floor provided they are supported by at least 10
attending members, are voted upon in a secret ballot.
(s) The Subcommissions do not have the right to nominate members for the Nominating Committee.
4. Duties of the various officers
The ( 1 st) Vice Chairman of a Commission, not the past Chairman, lakes over from the Chairman in case of
necessity.
The 2nd and 3rd Chairmen should take care specifically of participation in the activities of the Society from
their geographical area.
(t) Similarly, the 2nd and 3rd Past Presidents should take care of participation in the activities of the Society
from their geographical area, in consultation with the President and the Secretary-General.
5. Terms of office-holding of Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and Treasurer
Rules G.2.b. and G.2.C. may be read to mean that the above Officers hold office undeterminately: unless
they themselves decide to resign, their termination of appointment is done by the Council only "if necessary".
Because of the vagueness of the wording, this may be embarrassing on both sides and a specification of the
procedures seems appropriate.
(u) The termination of the assignments of the SG, DSG and Treasurer can be effectuated by non-prolongation
on the part of the Officers concerned, or on the part of the Council. The SG should inform the Council at
least one year in advance of the next Congress whether the incumbents wish to continue in their respective
functions or not. At the same time the SG suggests the forwarding, directly to the President, of any
competing or replacing candidale(s). allowing the Council either to confirm the incumbents or to replace
them with new Officers.
6.
Contacts with National Societies
At least one year before the Congress, the SG invites the national societies represented at the Council - i.e.
those with at least 20 paid-up members of ISSS - for proposals on Honorary Members (see Rule B.2).
(v) If a national society wishes to nominate a soil scientist for Honorary Membership who is not a national or
resident of the country concerned, then it is recommended that it invites beforehand the concurrence of the
society of the country of which the candidate is a national, where he is living now, or where he has been
working for most of his active period.
( w) Also one year before the Congress, the SG asks the national societies for suggestions on future activities of
the respective Commissions and Working Groups, including nominations of candidates f or Officers posts
that will become vacant.
M
A similar invitation is to be published in the Bulletin at about the same time, for the benefit of individual
members not attached to National Societies,
(x) All official contacts between ISSS Commissions or Subcommissions and the respective national units
should be copied to the SG. These contacts may include requests of the Commission Chairmen for
proposals, by at least 2 paid-up ISSS members of the national units or the national societies, on future
programmes on those matters that are of the Commission's specific interest. These requests should be made
well before a new Congress (compare rule G.2.f for general affairs).
7. Membership fees and other financial support for the ISSS Secretariat
As described in Rule B.l. there are active members, sustaining (corporate) members and honorary
members. In addition, there are non-member subscribers to the Bulletin,
(y) The annualfees for the first two classes of membership, andfor the non-member subscribers, are laid down
from time to time by the Council.
As from I st January 1979 they are, in US dollars, as follows : active members $ 5.- ; sustaining members
at least $ 25.-; subscribers $ 6.-. Furthermore voluntary contributions of any amount, by sponsors of
the Society, are welcomed,
(z I ) Honorary members are exempted from payment of fees.
8. Languages
The official languages of the Society are English, French and German, in agreement with a Council
(z2) resolution of the 5th Congress in Leopoldville in 1954. It implies that changes in this by-law can be
proposed and effectuated by any future Council.
Notes from the SG :
1 ) I have not been able to find any official reference to such a Leopoldville resolution ; 2) At the founding
of the Society in 1924 it was mentioned in the first Rules that English, French, German, Italian and
Spanish were the official languages. From 1927 onwards the 'ISSS journal* contained only German,
English and French as official languages, though Italian, Russian and Spanish were permitted. After
the second world war only English and French were apparently official languages of the Bulletin, till
1954, when German was re-introduced.
9. Emblem and letterhead
(z3) The emblem of the Society will figure on the Bulletin and on a standard letterhead to be used by all ISSS
Officers, Commissions and Working Groups
10. Registering of the Society and Insurance
It is thought by the Committee-on- Rules that at the Seat of the Society - i.e. the address of the SG - there
should be a Registered Office where the Rules, and the final By-laws should be officially deposited and
registered. It may however be that these Rules do not confirm to the national requirements of the country
were the Secretariat is established.
Furthermore it is suggested that there should be a contingency insurance for the members of the
Organizing Committee of each Congress (and official inter-Congress meeting), or an insurance towards the
Society as whole or towards the SG.
Also, measures should be taken to safeguard the financial assets of the Society, which at present are in the
respective accounts of the Treasurer (in Ghent) and of the Secretary-General (in Wageningen). Right now
the Society has no legal means to recuperate these assets in case of accidental or wilful malfunctioning of the
ISSS Bureau.
The SG will seek advice from a private sollicitor. and also collect information on the legal situation of
comparable societies or unions, either directly or through ICSU.
11. Processing and publication of the by-laws
(z4) The above proposed by-laws, and any other still to be formulated, will have to be approved or modified by
the Council(nol the Congress). The proposed ones will be sent around to the National Societies one year
before the New Delhi Congress and can also be published in a pre-Congress bulletin. Any two members
wanting changes in the proposals should send their suggestions to their representative in the Council,
usually the Presidents of the National Societies.
ALL MEMBERS, ATTENTION FOR SUBJECTS 6 AND II. PLEASE!
TOUS LES MEMBRES, ATTENTION POUR LES SUJETS 6 ET II, S.V.P.!
ALLE MITGLIEDER, BITTE AUFMERKSAMKEIT FÜR GEGENSTÄNDE
6 UND 11!
7(1
Subcommissions Sous-Commissions Subkommissionen - Chairmen Présidents! Vorsitzenden
A.
Salt affected soils Sois salins Salzböden
Prof. Dr. I. Szabolcs. Director, Research Institute for Soil Science, Hermann Otto lit 15, Budapest
11, Hungary
B.
Micromorphology Micromorphologie Mikromorpnologie
Dr. P. Bullock. Rothamsted Experimental Station. Harpenden Herts. AL5-27Q. U.K.
Working Groups/ Groupes de Travail Arbeitsgruppen - Chairmen, Présidents; Vorsitzenden
SC
HS
FT
CS
DP
DS
FS
NO
PP
RS
LE
CO*
Soil Conditioning, Stabilisation de la structure du sol Bodenstrukturverbesserung (Com. 1 ).
Prof. Dr. M. F. Boodt, State Agricultural university, R.U.G., Coupure Links 533, B-9000 Ghent,
Belgium.
Humic Substances ('Humic Acid Reference Collection')'Matériaux humiques/Humusbestandteile
(Com. II). Dr. P. Mac Carthy, Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry. Colorado School of
Mines. Golden. CO80401, U.S.A.
Soil Fertility, Fertilité des sols Bodenfruchtbarkeit (Com. IV).
Dr. P. Bruin, Retired Director, Institute for Soil Fertility, P.O. Box 30003, 9750 RA Haren, The
Netherlands.
(Subgroups: Quality of Crops; Yield Analysis; Nitrogen Mineralisation-Nitrogen Balance).
Cryogenic Soils/Sols cryogèneskryogene Böden (Com. V).
Prof. Dr. O. V. Makeev, Institute of Agrochemisiry and Soil Science, Abon. Box 21, Puschino,
Moscow Region 142292, U S S R .
Soil Information Systems/Informatique en pédologie Informationssysteme in der Bodenkunde (Com.
V).
Dr. J. Schelling, Netherlands Soil Survey Institute, P.O. Box 98, 6700 AB Wageningen. The
Netherlands.
Desertification, Desertification, Verwüstung (Com. V).
Dr. D. R. Bumbla. c/o Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Department of Agriculture. Krishi
Bhavan, New Dehli 110001. India.
Forest Soils/Sols forestiers, Waldböden (Com. V).
Dr. R. Saly, Visoka Skola Lesnika. Zvolen. Czechoslovakia.
Nomenclature Hydromorphk Soils Nomenclature des sols hydromorpbes Nomenklatur hydromorfen
Böden (Com. V).
Prof. Dr. E. Schlichting, Institut Tür Bodenkunde und Standortlehre. Universität Hohenheim, P.O.
Box 106, D-7000 Stuttgart-70. B.R.D.
Paleopedology/Paléopédologie Paläopedologie (Com. V; with/avec/mit INQUA).
Prof. Dr. D. H. Yaalon, Department of Geology. Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91000. Israel,
(subgroups: Origin and Nature of Paleosols; Soil Stratigraphy; Dating of Paleosols; Applied
Paleopedology).
Renote Sensing for Soil Surveys, Pédologie et Télédétection, Femerkundung für Bodenkartographie
(Com. V).
Prof. Dr. M. C. Girard, Institut National Agronomique, 78850 Thivernal. Grignon. France.
Land Evaluation Evaluation des terres Landbewertung (Com. VI).
Dr. K. J. Beek, ILRI, P.O. Box 45, 6700 AA Wageningen. The Netherlands.
Soil Colloid Surfaces/Surfaces des colloïdes de sol/Bodencolloidale Oberfläche (Com. VII).
Prof. Dr. Quirk. Waite Agricultural Research Institute, University of Adelaide. Private Bag, Glen
Osmond. SA 5064 Australia.
Committee on Rules
Prof. Dr. E. G. Hallsworth (Chairman: University of Sussex. Falmer. Brighton. Sussex BN1 9RF.
England); Prof. Dr. P. Buringh. Dr. R. Dudal.Prof. Dr. I. P. Garbouchev; Prof. Dr. E. Schlichting; Prof. Dr.
R. Tavernier (Members); Dr. W. G. Sombroek (Secretary: P.O. Box 353. 6700 AJ Wageningen, the
Netherlands).
Provisional status, with a 'Steering Committee', till next Congress/Etat provisoire, avec un 'Comité
Dirigeant', jusqu' au prochain Congrès/vorlaufiger Status, mit einem 'Lenkungsausschuss'. bis zum
nächsten (Congress.
ISSS MEMBERSHIP
Membership of the International Society of Soil Science is open to all persons and
institutions engaged in the study and the application of soil science. Membership
applications can be addressed to the National Societies or directly to the Secretariat
General. For individual memberships, the yearly subscription, due each January, is 5
US dollars, or equivalent in any other convertible currency. The fee for corporate
members is 25 US dollars per year. Voluntary contributions by sponsors of the Society
will be highly appreciated and acknowledged in the Bulletin. Individual payments can
be made by cheque or by international money order. Unesco coupons are also
accepted. In order to reduce bank charges it is recommended that subscriptions be
remitted, whenever possible, through medium of the National Societies (for their
addresses see Bulletin no 56). Non-membership subscriptions to the Bulletin, by
Library Services etc.. are US S 6.- yearly.
Account: D. Gabriels, International Society of Soil Science, University Gent
390.0440957.50, Bank Brussel Lambert, Martelaarslaan, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
ADHESION A L'AISS
Toutes personnes et institutions engagées dans l'étude et l'application de la science
du sol peuvent adhérer à l'Association internationale de la science du sol. Les demandes d'inscription peuvent être faites par l'intermédiaire des associations nationales ou
adressées directement au Secrétariat général. La souscription individuelle, due au mois
de janvier, est de 5 dollars E.U. par an ou son équivalent dans une autre monnaie
convertible. La souscription pour les institutions s'élève à 25 dollars E.U. par an. Des
contributions volontaires, qui permettaient de promouvoir l'Association, seront les
bienvenues et mention en sera faite dans le Bulletin. Les versements individuels peuvent
être faits au moyen d'un chèque ou d'un mandat international. Des coupons Unesco
peuvent également eue utilisés, En vue de réduire les frais de banque il est recommandé, dans la mesure du possible, de faire parvenir les souscriptions par l'intermédiaire des associations nationales (pour leurs adresses voir Bulletin no 56). Abonnements au Bulletin sans adhésion, du part de services de bibliothèques etc.. sont de
6 dollars E.U. par an.
Compte: D. Gabriels, International Society of Soil Science, University Gent,
390.0440957.50. Bank Brussel Lambert, Martelaarslaan, B-9000 Gent, Belgique.
IBG-MITG LI EDSCH AFT
Die Internationale Bodenkundliche Gesellschaft heisst Personen und Institute, die
auf dem Gebiet der Forschung und Anwendung der Bodenkunde arbeiten, als Mitglieder willkommen. Aufnahmeanträge können direkt an das Generalsekretariat der
Gesellschaft geschickt oder über die nationalen bodenkundlichen Gesellschaften an
dieses geleitet werden. Der Einzelmitgliedsbeitrag, der jeweils im Januar zu entrichten
ist, beträgt jährlich 5 US-Dollar oder den Gegenwert in einer konvertierbaren Währung. Der jährliche Mitgliedsbeitrag für Institute beträgt 25 US-Dollar.
Freiwillige Beiträge, die eine Förderung der IBG erlauben würden, werden sehr
geschätzt und in den IBG-Mitteilungen bestätigt. Einzelzahlungen können durch
Scheck oder internationale Postanweisungen.Unesco-Kupons werden auch akzeptiert Um die Bankkosten niedrig zu hallen, sollten Beiträge wo möglich durch die
nationalen Gesellschaften gezahlt werden (für ihren Anschriften sehe Mitteilungen
no 56). Abonnemente auf die Mitteilungen ohne Mitgliedschaft, für Bibliotheken
u s w . . sind US $ 6. jährlich.
Konto: D. Gabriels, International Societv of Soil Science, University Gent,
390.0440957.50, Bank Brussel Lambert, Martelaarslaan, B-9000 Gent, Belgien.