Emerging frontiers in soil science

With most of the basic discoveries and applications of science made by mankind applicable to agriculture a challenge is presented to soil scientists to improve their pedagogy and research. Present-day soil scientists, tenaciously linked with those in the disciplines of agronomy and crop sciences, have become intellectually isolated from geologists, hydrologists, engineers and ecologists who deal with soils for purposes other than crop production. Localized achievements of greater crop production come at the expense of our global environment. Ample opportunity based primarily upon regionalized variable analyses exists to improve the management potential of our natural resources on global, regional and local scales of space and time. Six such opportunities or frontiers are elucidated.     

Women in Russian soil science

The role of women in the development of Russian soil science is analyzed. Four generations of women working in soil science are distinguished. The problems related to difficulties in obtaining higher (university) degrees are considered. There were three periods of the increasing role of women (waves of feminization) in the development of Russian soil science. The reasons for this phenomenon are discussed. Certain directions in soil science have been mainly developed by women. The paper presents information about outstanding leaders of particular scientific schools and organizers of science among women. The specificity of women’s careers in science and education is shown.