The purposeful study of the soils of Uzbekistan based on a clear plan and defined objectives is closely connected with the establishment of the National University of Uzbekistan (formerly Turkestan State University, Central Asian State University, and Tashkent State University). This is confirmed by the organization in 1920 of the Research Institute of Geobotany and Soil Science at the university.
Between 1920 and 1932, under the leadership of the institute’s founder Professor N.A. Dimo and Professor M.A. Orlov, with the participation of researchers N.B. Bogdanovich, M.A. Pankov, D.M. Klavdienko and others, comprehensive studies were conducted on irrigated lands of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. Soil maps for various purposes were compiled, and major soil types distributed across these territories were given detailed comprehensive characteristics. These maps and scientific materials became the foundation for the development of agriculture and the formation of a scientifically grounded planned farming system.
The establishment of the Department of Soil Science in 1935 within the Faculty of Geology and Geography demonstrated that soil research in Uzbekistan had become a major scientific field of national importance. In 1949, the department was transferred to the Faculty of Biology, and in the same year the Department of Agronomy was established, after which the faculty was renamed the Faculty of Biology and Soil Science.
During this period, significant research work was carried out by the academic staff. Professor M.A. Orlov is regarded as the founder of the Department of Soil Science; his scientific activity was devoted to the study of the genesis and properties of anthropogenic (oasis) soils formed under the influence of irrigation and agricultural activity. Academician S.N. Ryzhov and later Associate Professor Kh.A. Abdullaev focused their research on the cultural state of irrigated lands, the role of humus in improving fertility, and the management of humus content.
In the 1960s–1970s, the department staff (B.D. Mikhailov, K. Gofurov, L. Tursunov, V. Sayfutdinova, L. Salkova, N. Kavkhoyans and others) conducted complex studies in the middle and lower reaches of the Zarafshan Valley, including Kattakurgan, Khatyrchi, the Zirabulak and Karnab deserts, as well as the soils of the Bukhara and Karakul oases. Hundreds of soil, soil-erosion and soil-reclamation maps (scales 1:10,000 and 1:25,000) were produced and transferred for practical use. Based on these studies, K. Gofurov, L. Tursunov, N. Yakubov, A. Niyozov and A. Abdiev defended their PhD dissertations. Important research was also conducted under the supervision of Associate Professors V. Valiev and L. Tursunov on rainfed lands of the Chirakchi district in Kashkadarya region.
Since 1980, under the leadership of Associate Professor Kh. Abdullaev, soils of the Chatkal Range were studied (on the example of the Chatkal Biosphere Reserve); under Associate Professor L. Tursunov, soils of the Turkestan Range were investigated (Zaamin National Park and Reserve). Later, soils of the Hissar and Nurata mountain systems were studied. As a result, regularities of soil formation and properties of all mountain soil types were identified, soil erosion maps were compiled, and A. Nazarov, M. Fakhrutdinova, S. Yusupov and Kh. Kungirov defended their PhD dissertations.
The department also focused on the influence of agricultural activity on soil genesis and evolution. Under the supervision of Associate Professor Kh. Abdullaev, lecturer Abdrahmonov comprehensively studied gray-brown soils and defended his PhD thesis. V.U. Sayfutdinova, under the guidance of Academician S.N. Ryzhov, studied the restoration (evolution) of rainfed soils over long periods and defended her PhD thesis. D. Kamilova investigated changes in soil properties under different agro-backgrounds and also defended her PhD thesis.
From 1961 to 1967, the Department of Agrochemistry was headed by Professor N.P. Malinkin, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, whose contribution to the development of cotton fertilization systems was highly significant. These scholars trained many researchers and laid the foundations for their own scientific schools.
From 1968 to 1995, the department was headed by Professor Jurakul Sattarovich Sattarov, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, member of the New York Academy of Sciences, member of the International Academy of Informatization, Honored Worker of Agriculture of Uzbekistan, member of the International Union of Soil Sciences and the World Fertilizer Center.
Since December 1, 2018, the Departments of Soil Science and Agrochemistry were merged into the Department of Soil Science. Currently, the department employs 1 академician, 5 Doctors of Science and 9 PhD holders.
Heads of the Department:
- 1935–1962 – Prof. M.A. Orlov
- 1962–1968 – Academician S.N. Ryzhov
- 1968–1981 – Assoc. Prof. Kh.A. Abdullaev
- 1981–1986 – Assoc. Prof. V.U. Sayfutdinova
- 1986–2008 – Prof. L. Tursunov
- 2008–2011 – Assoc. Prof. M. Fakhrutdinova
- 2011–2014 – Assoc. Prof. T. Abdrahmonov
- 2014–2015 – Assoc. Prof. Z. Khaidmukhamedova
- 2015 – Assoc. Prof. S. Sidikov
- Since 2020 – Prof. Z. Jabbarov
