Biogeochemical processes in soil formation: weathering and end-products of inorganic and organic fractions. Eluviation and illuviation of bases, silica, aluminum, iron, clay and organic matter; Development of pans, nodules and concretions; Progressive soil development; Soil orders and the genesis of their diagnostic horizons. Soil survey: scales and kinds of soil survey, soil mapping units, soil survey operations. Environmental regulations of lands; Assessment of soil productivity rating / judgement; soil quality evaluation. Understanding what we see in terms of soil genesis: concept of benchmark soils, defining soil series - the hypothetical model. Soil survey reports: land evaluation, soil care, land-use planning, introduction to GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Use of soil classification in soil management and extrapolation of agronomic research results.