The Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry came into existence in 1956 with the establishment of College of Agriculture. However, with the introduction of post graduate education in 1970-71, research activities extended cutting across the different sub disciplines with major emphasis on soil fertility and plant nutrition with subsequent strengthening of infrastructure facilities for undergraduate and post graduate teaching. At present department has developed into full grown discipline encompassing various sections viz. soil chemistry, soil genesis and classification, soil fertility, soil technology , soil biology, micro nutrient research, recycling of organic wastes and application of remote sensing technologies for soil fertility and plant nutrition. A central instrumentation cell with modern State of Art Laboratory equipped with sophisticated equipments like AAS and computer facility at present catering the need of research and farmers soil and plant analysis programme .
The Head is an overall in-charge of the department under and Postgraduate teaching and research are fully integrated in this department with the help of academic staff of the faculty. The teaching programme of the department includes courses of mainly agriculture, horticulture, community science, B.Tech. (Agri. Engg.)andfaculty for B.Sc. (Agri), M.Sc. and Ph.D. in soil science. The under graduate curriculum is as per the recommendation of fifth deans committee constituted in 2017. The instructional programme ofpost-graduationis restructured as per ICAR pattern. The department has accommodated 12 credits of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry for Agriculture graduation.
The Ph.D. degree programme in soil science was started in 1978 with the intake capacity of 3 students every year. Post graduate programme has been implemented and following course plan is being approved for M.Sc. (Agri.) in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry commenced from the year 2010-2011.
To perform physical, chemical, biological and mineralogical properties sophisticated instruments are available in the department to list few are Carbon analyser, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), Heavy Metal Analyser, Pressure plate, Infiltrometers, pH, EC meter, UV -visible spectrophotometer, N auto analyzer, kjeltecsystem, Multiband radiometer for remote sensing, autotitrator, flame photometer, specific ion meter etc.
To cater the needs of fruit growers of Maharashtra region, a well-equipped Tissue Testing Laboratory with a modern State of Art is being established with financial support from Directorate of Horticulture, Govt. of Maharashtra
The department has its own research farm of 4.63 ha with irrigation facilities.
| Sr.no | Activity | Receipts (Rs. in Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soil analysis, Water Analysis , Plant Analysis, and Vermi culture etc. | 8,15,675/- |
| 2 | Product Testing/ Training Fees | 4,43,000/- |
| 3 | Sale of bio-fertilizers | 9,57,507/- |
| 4 | Farm Produce | 24,140/- |
| Total (Rs) | 2240322/- | |
| Rs.22.40 Lakhs | ||
| Sr.no | Activity | Receipts (Rs. in Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soil analysis*, Water Analysis , Plant Analysis, and Vermiculture etc | 7,66,030/- |
| 2 | Product Testing/ Training Fees | 60,000/- |
| 3 | Sale of biofertilizers | 6,80,800/- |
| 4 | Farm Produce | 21,535/- |
| Total (Rs) | 15,28,365/- | |
| Rs.Fiften lakh twenty thousand three hundred sixty five | ||
| Sr.no | Activity | Receipts (Rs. in Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soil analysis*, Water Analysis , Plant Analysis, and Vermiculture etc. | 6,27,540/- |
| 2 | Sale of biofertilizers | 7,34,000/- |
| 3 | Farm Produce | 18,890/- |
| Total (Rs) | 13,80,430/- | |
| Rs. Thirteen lakh eighty thousand four hundred thirty only | ||
| Sr.no | Activity | Receipts (Rs. in Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soil analysis*, Water Analysis , Plant Analysis, and Vermiculture etc. | 2,19,470/- |
| 2 | Sale of biofertilizers | 13,29,000/- |
| 3 | Farm Produce | 14,590/- |
| Total (Rs) | 15,63,060/- | |
| Rs. Fifteen lakh Sixty three thousand and sixty only | ||
| Sr.no | Activity | Receipts (Rs. in Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soil analysis*, Water Analysis, Plant Analysis, and Vermiculture etc. | 3,31,650/- |
| 2 | Farm Produce | 24,433/- |
| 3 | Training Fees | 1,30,000/- |
| 4 | Product testing | 7,90,962/- |
| 5 | Bio fertilizers | 16,14,000/- |
| Total (Rs) | 28,91,045/- | |
| Rs. Twenty eight lakh ninty one thousand and forty five only. | ||