Introduction
Preparing for the IBPS Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) exam necessitates a solid understanding of Soil Science, as it forms a significant component of the syllabus. C4S Courses recommends focusing on the important key chapters to enhance your preparation.
Soil Science is fundamental in understanding soil formation, fertility, conservation, and microbial activity, which are crucial for crop production and sustainable agriculture. The following modules cover essential topics, with focus areas marked RED.
- Pedology (Soil Formation & Classification):
- Composition of Earth’s Crust, Rocks & Minerals, Weathering of Rocks and soil genesis, Factors of Soil Formation, Soil Profile & Horizons, Soil Taxonomy & Classification.
- Soils of India:
- Land Capability Classification, Soils of India (Major soil types & distribution), Soil Survey & Remote Sensing Applications
- Soil Physics (Physical Properties of Soil):
- Soil Texture & Textural Classes, Stoke’s Law & Particle Size Analysis, Soil Structure & Types, Soil Density: Bulk Density (BD) & Particle Density (PD)
- Soil Air & Gaseous Exchange&Soil Water:
- Soil Moisture Constants, Soil Water Movement (Infiltration, Percolation, Capillary Action), Darcy’s Law (Water Flow in Soil), Soil Erosion & Conservation
- Soil Chemistry (Chemical Properties of Soil):
- Soil Colloids: Clay Minerals, Silicate Minerals, Soil pH & Buffering Capacity, Soil Organic Matter (SOM): Microbial Role & Properties, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) & Base Saturation, Hysteresis in Soil Moisture Retention
- Soil Fertility & Nutrient Management:
- Essential Plant Nutrients & Their Functions, Nutrient Transformation & Movement in Soil, Deficiency & Toxicity Symptoms in Plants, Common Nutrient Disorders in Crops
- Manures & Fertilizers:
- Classification & Concepts, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), IPNS, SSNM, Fertilizer Application Methods & Scheduling, Fertility Status of Indian Soils
- Soil Microbiology (Soil Biota & Microbial Interactions):
- Soil Biota: Microorganisms, their role in soil health, Phyllosphere Microbiology (Microbial life on plant surfaces)
- Biofertilizers:
- Types, Mechanisms, and Applications.
- Government Policies & Schemes in News
- Important terminologies related to soil science
Weekly Test Schedule by C4S Courses
| Every Monday | Animal Science & Fishery, Sericulture | BLOCK I |
| Every Tuesday | Agronomy,Weed Sc, Soil Sc, Meteorology | BLOCK II |
| EveryWednesay | GPB,Pathology Physiology, Entomology | BLOCK III |
| Every Thursday | Hort & Food Sc | BLOCK IV |
| Every Friday | Eco, Ext, Eng &Irrigation | BLOCK V |
| Every Saturday | Current Agriculture | BLOCK VI |
| Every Sunday | Full Length Test along with QRE Test | BLOCK VII |
For comprehensive study materials and structured courses tailored to the IBPS AFO exam, consider exploring resources provided by C4S Courses.
