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President Rodrigo R. Duterte emphasized the conduct of soil analysis in the country during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 15, 2016. He said that “we shall also conduct a nationwide soil analysis to determine areas most suitable for rice farming to optimize production with the use of effective soil rehabilitation and fertilization.” As an effect of this presidential pronouncement, many people including professionals from various academic fields have been wondering what soil analysis is. Several readers of this blog suggested that I write about this topic hence, this article. Soil analysis refers to the measurement of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. It is done, depending on the type of soil analysis, for the following purposes: 1) to evaluate the origin and formation of the soil; 2) to assess the level of contamination of the soil; 3) to characterize the soil as a habitat of soil organisms; 4) to assess the soil fertility status; and 5) to evalu...

Prof. Neal Menzies , professor of soil and environmental science and head of the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the prestigious University of Queensland, Australia, visited the Visayas State University (VSU), Leyte, Philippines from September 16-19, 2014.  The purpose of his visit was to attend, as a collaborating scientist, the meeting of the ACIAR (Australian Center for International Agricultural Research) - funded Soils Project (Soil and Nutrient Management Strategies for Sustainable Vegetable Production in Southern Philippines- SMCN/2012/029) attended by scientists from the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Dr. Stephen Harper and Ms. Zara Hall) and partners from the Visayas State University, University of the Philippines Los Banos, Bureau of Soil and Water Management, Landcare Foundation Philippines Incorporated, Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) and the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF).  Prof. N...

The latest issue of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) bulletin is now available . The bulletin, the official publication of IUSS (formerly International Society of Soil Science or ISSS) with approximately 60,000 members worldwide, has a long and distinguished history. The first volume was produced by  F.A.van Baren and published in 1952. The society president at the time was the renowned soil scientist, Prof. R. Tavernier from Gent, Belgium. IUSS Bulletin 122 (June 2013) In the Introduction of the maiden issue, Prof. Tavernier wrote that “the bulletin of the International Society of Soil Science aims to pass on official information about all important events concerning the life and activity of the Society to its members and to National Societies and Regional Groupings as well as to Research Institutes. We hope that this bulletin will satisfy our members’ wishes, who have expressly shown their desire to be informed about these activities and about the development of So...

The Department of Agronomy and Soil Science at Visayas State University in Leyte, Philippines joins the global community of more than 60,000 soil scientists in celebrating the World Soil Day today, December 5. Our soil science program at VSU is now more than 30 years old. It produced the first batch of BSA (Soil Science) graduates in 1980. It is now among the top soil science programs in the Philippines.  Many of our BS alumni have become very successful professionals/scientists in various academic and research institutions in the Philippines and other parts of the world.  We are very proud to name a few: Dr. Leticia S. Sonon , University of Georgia, USA Dr. Marife D. Corre , University of Goettingen, Germany Dr. Nilda R. Burgos , University of Arkansas, USA Dr. Sergio M. Abit Jr ., Oklahoma State University, USA Dr. Joel Bandibas, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Japan Dr. Constancio Asis, Jr., Philippine Rice Research Institute (Phil...