Department of Agrochemistry and Soil Science

The Department of Agrochemistry and Soil Science was founded in 1999 after the  unification of  the Department of Agrochemistry and the Department of Soil Science, both founded in 1950. Тhese two departments have always been leaders in agricultural sciences and agrarian education in Bulgaria. Over the years many scientists have contributed to the rich history and traditions of the department: prof. Ivan Popov, prof. Lazar Stanchev, prof. Nikola Mashev, prof. Stefan Gorbanov, prof. Yordan Matev, prof. Zlatan Tanev, prof. Guro Gyurov, prof. Totyu Penev, prof. Ivan Atanasov, prof. Tonko Totev.

At present the Department of Agrochemistry and Soil Science consists of 9 lecturers: 2 professors, 3 associate professors, 4 chief assistant professors. 

The department provides training to students from all faculties in the following disciplines:

Compulsory:

• Agrochemistry
• Plant nutrition and maintenance of soil fertility 
• Soil science
• Meliorative soil science
• Forest soil science
• Soil science and soil ecology 
• Soil erosion 
• Soil science of tropic and subtropic 
• Biometric methods of analysis

Elective:

• Soil fertility and fertilization 
• Introduction to organic farming 
• Assessment of land
• Technologies for restoration of damaged soils and terrains 
• Chemical meliorations of acid and salted soils 
• Problem soils
• Experimental design
• Biometrics

There are 2 seminar halls and 2 scientific laboratories in possession of the Department of Agrochemistry and Soil Science. The modern laboratory equipment and the high-tech apparatuses contribute to the high-quality training of students and research work in the field of soil science and agrochemistry. 

A unique soil museum has been founded and maintained in the department. It contains monoliths of the main soil types in Bulgaria. Seminar lessons related to the soil-forming rocks and minerals are successfully conducted in the soil museum. The new material is illustrated with the means of rich visual resources. 

An  educational and experimental field is also used to support students` training and scientific work.  A permanent fertilizer experiment has been held there since 1959. 

The main research work of the department`s academic staff is focused on: the total amount and composition of humus in soils in order to clarify its role in soil fertility; soil chemistry and mineralogy; melioration of damaged soils; feeding and fertilization of crops under the conditions of conventional and organic farming, etc.