The Development of Soil Science in Sicily

Abstract

This chapter describes the development of soil science in Sicily. After a short introduction, a brief academic and scientific profile of the initiators of soil science studies in the region is outlined. Reference is made to Rolando Cultrera, Erminio Giovannini, Gian Pietro Ballatore, and Giovanni Fierotti. A broad discussion follows on the historical evolution that soil science studies have had in the four locations that in Sicily have been more concerned with soil science: the Institute of Agricultural Chemistry and the Institute of Agronomy at the University of Palermo; the Institute of Agricultural Chemistry at the University of Catania, and the Soil Service office of the Sicily Region. The chapter ends with a brief reflection on the future of soil science studies in Sicily.