This title is recommended by users for its clear explanations and readability. Troeh and Thompson's "Soil; and Soil Fertility" provides and excellent overview of soils for students in agriculture and the environmental sciences. Now in its sixth edition, this book has been updated throughout and incorporates discussions of GIS (geographic information system) and GPS (global positioning system), humus and its function in soil structure and fertility, soil reclamation for sites contaminated by pesticides or petroleum spills, and advances in the understanding of water flow. In addition a new chapter on soil mechanics has been added, explaining the use of soils as foundation and construction material. Although fully updated, the text retains essential information on basic topics such as soil formation, soil chemistry, physical properties of soil, organic matter, mineralogy, and soil water movement and storage.It includes a detailed discussion of plant nutrients, their deficiency symptoms, and the fertilizers and soil amendments used to correct those deficiencies. Troeh and Thompson make a special effort to provide a uniquely broad perspective, complementing the varied backgrounds and interests of today's students. Instructors and students will appreciate this broad-based approach and through coverage.