The changing scene of British soil science1

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SUMMARYThe development of soil science has, in the past, been largely driven by the need to improve agricultural production. It is an applied science.Soils and soil processes have had a profound impact on the development of agriculture, and civilization, throughout the ages. Mistreatment of soil has, over the millennia to the present day, been responsible for horrific human tragedy. The most pressing challenge to soil science is to devise ways of improving food production, at minimum cost, in those areas of the world where food shortages are most acute.The new era of reducing price support for major agricultural commodities will increase competition in the EC and elsewhere. It will become imperative to improve efficiency of crop production, especially by the introduction of novel techniques, if arable and horticultural cropping in the UK is to flourish.Soil science is becoming increasingly important in assisting governments to develop policies and in assisting commercial organizations to screen and introduce new chemicals.There is a wide range of environmental and pollution problems that demand inputs from soil science. They include industrial degradation of soil, entry of toxic materials into the food chain, waste disposal, industrial contamination of the atmosphere and the sub‐sequent effects on soil and vegetation, forest decline, and the improvement of industrially damaged areas to attract new industries and reduce unemployment.Far greater use should be made of soils information in urban and rural planning and in building design as, at least in some countries, this practice has resulted in considerable financial savings.Advances in theory, measurement and computing are revolutionizing soil science and will greatly facilitate the application of the subject to practical problems.