This chapter helps students refresh their knowledge of the fundamentals and theories of soil science. The chapter covers the definition of soils, the composition of soil, and the properties of soil (physical, chemical, and biological properties). Knowing the soil properties helps students understand the relationship between soil properties and management practices.

The chapter also introduces students to the (6) principles of sustainable soil management and the alignment to SDGs key.

1. Protect soil from physical, chemical and biological degradation, limit erosion and avoid deforestation.

2. Restore soils on degraded, stranded and marginal lands.

3. Maintain soil-based ecosystem services, water availability and quality.

4. Enhance soil productivity according to its natural capacity.

5. Develop extension services, knowledge systems, and promote innovation.

6. Communicate the importance of soil.

❖ Healthy soils are the cornerstone in increasing agricultural output and attaining food security.

❖ Sustainable soil management such as crop rotation, organic farming, conservative tillage, etc enhance soil fertility and productivity, boosting global food production, lowering hunger, and enhancing long-term food security

SDG12:

❖ Sustainable management and efficient use of soil resources to ensure long-term productivity.

❖ By sustainably maintaining soil health, farmers may reduce the need for chemical inputs, minimize waste, and

manage the environmental impacts of agriculture, leading to a more sustainable food production system.

❖ Organic farming, crop rotation, conservative tillage, nano-fertilizer, biofertilizer, and integration of advanced technology in sustainable soil management.

SDG13:

❖ Soils serve as a natural carbon sink by storing organic carbon and sustainable soil management may enhance their ability to sequester carbon, mitigating climate change.

❖ Organic matter management and reduction of soil disturbance such as cover cropping, green manures, agroforestry, conservative tillage and no-till farming improve soil capacity to sequester/ store carbon.

SDG15:

❖ Sustainable soil management contributes to the reduction of desertification, promotes biodiversity and restoring degraded lands.

❖ Addition of organic amendments, reduce chemical inputs, crop rotation and soil erosion control help to maintain soil structure, moisture, and fertility which restore degraded soils and promote resilience towards soil degradation.

https://youtu.be/04s_Wnqd0lo?si=hb-aDOjhu2KUNKJ7

https://youtu.be/HnjwlZjLXE0?si=11_IL7DtrgDdYqZS

1. https://youtu.be/eCPkMWzkgvc?si=68I9c7W02-vbKu24

2. https://youtu.be/qbbnerV_Pws?si=ksVljmICFzfjXPVw

Group discussions (5-6 member/group):

1. Discuss the advantages of conservation tillage over conventional tillage.

2. Present your discussion in an infographic (mindmap) illustrating the differences between conservation tillage and conventional tillage.

3. Then, upload your mindmap in the comment sections.

Make sure to include the group member's name on the mindmap.

1. https://youtu.be/Ymy0IO7nizw?si=1NTXHeVAy6_Ih2Iq

2. https://youtu.be/Xhea403uO3o?si=6T7kKR-fTPXmw_oF

3. https://youtu.be/xXo-9x1bSDU?si=NA5-dlIqpxUzopxU

After watching the video, explain one (1) soil management strategy to increase their potential for carbon sequestration.

https://youtu.be/MM-RTWF7Zoc?si=6GuILrvWfnP9H7K9

Let's celebrate World Soil Day 2024!

You are cordially invited to the Youth Soil Sustainability Intervarsity Forum organized by second-year students of the Environmental Management Programme, Universiti Malaya, in collaboration with local universities and supported by the Malaysian Society of Soil Science, FAO and the Global Soil Partnership in conjunction with the World Soil Day 2024 celebration.

🌱 This forum aims to raise awareness among youth about the importance of healthy soil and sustainable soil management, focusing on this year’s theme: "Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage."

It will serve as a platform to discuss the role of accurate soil data in supporting food security and sustainable development.

Details of the session:

📅Date: 5 December 2024 (Thursday)

🕘Time: 10:00 am

📌Venue: Online Zoom Meeting (Link will be emailed)

💰Fee: No registration fee

E-certificate will be provided for forum attendees!

To register, kindly scan the QR code above or click the link below:

[Registration Form]

https://forms.gle/6nEvp9vpk3LJbLACA

Digital Soil Mapping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvgFiYEU25Q

Bio-fertilizer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvqMMfa8ysM

Nanofertilizer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96OXV_xTPVw

https://youtu.be/OXtKMS-UXUc?si=SIdWRImwY1akuXFq

In the comment section, briefly explain one (1) idea on

"How do cover crops or green manure crops protect soil and enhance soil health?"

Group Activity, real-world scenario, brainstorming

Learning Objective: To activate students’ prior knowledge and awareness of soil degradation by identifying visible signs, causes, and possible management practices from real-life contexts.

Instruction:

1. Watch this short video and pay attention to the different types of degradation (physical, chemical, and biological).

2. Find a real scenario online for one photo or short news post showing soil degradation in Malaysia or globally, and provide your reflection (2-3 sentences):

• Location & when it is happening

• What type of degradation do you think it represents?

• What might be the main cause?

• Suggest one sustainable management strategy that could reduce or reverse it.

3. ⁠The group representative will upload the picture & reflection via the PADLET comment section:

• Group name

• Picture of a real scenario of soil degradation

• Reflections

4. ⁠The attendance will be based on the completion of the given task. The task should be completed before 5 PM today.

Each group should select different types of soil degradation:

1. Soil erosion

2. ⁠Soil compaction

3. ⁠Soil sealing

4. ⁠Soil urbanization

5. ⁠Soil acidification

6. ⁠Soil salinization

7. ⁠Soil pollution

8. ⁠Soil loss in organic matter

9. ⁠Soil loss of biodiversity

Institution: Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia

Topic: Sustainable Soil Practices for Soil Health Management

Date: 2/12/2025

Keynotes:

1. Real action is required to manage soil sustainably to combat the rapid degradation of soils.

2. Initiative should be taken to spread awareness and encourage the adoption of sustainable soil management practices - government incentives, lab-to-field adoption, and classroom-to-farmers extension.

3. Future research is needed to combat microplastics threats to soil degradation by focusing on the search for phytoremediators or the utilization of natural biodegraded agent such as beneficial microbes.

2. Find one (1) previous related research study (2018 - current) of your chosen carbon sequestration strategy that shows impacts on soil carbon. You do not need to read the full paper; only focus on the key findings of soil carbon sequestration influenced by the strategy.

   
   

3. Prepare an infographic poster containing the following items:

• Carbon sequestration strategy chosen

• Explain HOW the strategy increases carbon storage (Mechanism of sequestration)

• State whether the chosen strategy is SHORT-TERM or LONG-TERM carbon storage and explain WHY

• Screenshot of the Research paper front page containing the title & author

• From the research paper: Find out their FINDING ON SOIL CARBON, and why the findings matter to carbon sequestration.

  
  

4. Make sure to include all group members' names on the poster.

5. Upload the poster to the comment section.

6. The attendance will be based on the completion and submission of the infographic poster.