Soil science society celebrates its 70th anniversary

The Soil Science Society of South Africa (SSSSA) celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. The SSSSA was established in 1953, and soil science was already a recognised discipline in South Africa at the time. In fact, the first recorded soil survey was conducted in 1899, according to Corrie Swanepoel, a soil scientist at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).

"The Department of Agriculture further carried out a series of surveys in the 1920s, focusing mainly on potential irrigated areas, resulting in the soil information and maps being restricted to small patches and strips next to rivers. Surveys continued and by 1940 the first book was published by CR van der Merwe, called Soil Groups and Sub-Groups of South Africa.

"By the 1950s and 1960s, soil science had gained momentum: surveys and soil information were available for large parts of the country, universities offered courses in soil science, many laboratories provided analytical services, soil scientists were contributing to international research, and, of course the SSSSA was established," Swanepoel said.

According to Swanepoel, South African soil scientists have made great strides. "For example, we can be proud to have our own soil classification system, with unique soil names that reflect our own place names and special soils.