Introduction: Definition, soil forming rocks and minerals, weathering and soil formation, factors of soil formation. Soil profile and its major horizons. Soil physical properties, soil texture, structure, types of structure, particle and bulk densities and pore space, soil color, temperature Chemical properties of soil: Silicate clay minerals. Ion exchange: Cation exchange and anion exchange, cation exchange capacity. Soil water: movement of soil water, hydrological cycle, loss of soil water and its control. Organic matter: Source, decomposition and constituents, N cycles, carbon to nitrogen ratios and its significance, influence of soil organic matter on soil properties. Important soil organism, watershed.