Soil Science in Italy: 1861 to 2024

History is generally defined as ＂the study of past events, particularly in human affairs＂ and is mostly understood when presented chronologically. That’s why someone also defined it as the ’chronological record of the past’. Knowing the past is extremely important for any society and human being. Past gives us insights into our evolving behavior in many matters of life. The book is seen as a unique opportunity to preserve the memory of the Italian history of soil science. It represents a milestone and a cultural heritage. Moreover, the book is a sort of ideal bridge between the pioneers of soil science in Italy and the young generation of researchers, contributing to spreading awareness of the importance of soil as a fundamental resource.

Carmelo Dazzi (1953) was Full Professor of Pedology at the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Sciences of the University of Palermo. His studies have always considered the many themes of Soil Science and Land Evaluation. In these fields, he has carried out several research projects and published over 330 publications. During his long university career, he has been President of the European Society for Soil Conservation (ESSC); Vice-Chair of the European Soil Partnership (FAO, Rome); President of the Italian Society of Soil Science (SISS); and Vice-President of the European Ecocycles Society (ECyS). Awards: Honorary Professor of the University of San Agustin in Arequipa (Peru); Honorary Professor of the M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan State University (Kazakhstan); Honorary member of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS); Honorary Member of the Academia of Agriculture and Forestry Science (Romania); Academician of the Italian Academy of Forestry Sciences; Academician of the Italian National Academy of Agriculture.

Anna Benedetti (1956) was Director of Research Centre Plant and Soil System of the Council for Economy and Agriculture Research (CREA). Her research topics were about soil microbiology and biodiversity, plant nutrition and soil fertility, soil fertilization, and soil sustainable use. She has published around 500 papers including books. She chaired numerous research projects on soil at international and national level. She has been President of the Italian Soil Science Society (SISS), National Focal Point for Global Soil Partnership (FAO, Rome), Expert in Working Group Fertilizer of EU, Chair of Cost Action 831 on Soil Biotechnology. Academician of the Italian National Academy of Agriculture, Academician of the Georgofili Academy.

Giuseppe Corti (1961) has been Full Professor of Pedology at the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences at the Università Politecnica delle Marche (Ancona). His studies have encompassed many Soil Science topics like the genesis of soils from severe environment (including cold and hot deserts, volcanoes, and saline environments), soil-plant relationships, soil pollution, soil fertility, and soil rehabilitation. He has also managed projects funded by European Union, Italian Ministries, National Science Foundation (USA), and local administrations. He published 109 papers on journals with impact factor, 10 book chapters, and 2 monographies. He is in the editorial board of Geoderma, Pedosphere, Italian Journal of Agronomy, and Alexandria Science Exchange Journal. Since January 2022, he is Director of the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), agency under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture. He served the Italian Society of Pedology (SIPe) as President and is currently President of the Italian Society of Soil Science (SISS). Awards: Academician of the Italian Academy of Forestry Sciences and of the Italian National Academy of Agriculture.

Edoardo A.C. Costantini (1955) is current President of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) and has been President of the ＂Paleopedology＂ commission of the IUSS, Secretary of the European Society for Soil Conservation (ESSC), President of the V Commission ＂Genesis, Classification and Cartography of Soil＂ and Member of the Scientific Committee of the Italian Society of Soil Science (SISS), and of the Italian Society of Pedology (SIPe). He has been Researcher and Research Director of the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) and of the National Research Council (CNR) in Florence and Modena, Acting Director of the Research Centre for Agrobiology and Pedology of Florence, and Professor of Pedology at the University of Siena. He has carried out over 40 years of research work in Europe, Asia, and Central and South America, leading international projects focused on Soil Restoration and Conservation, Land Suitability for Winegrape and other Quality Crops, Genesis of Paleosols, Soil Heritage, Soil Health Indicators and Digital Soil Mapping. Academician of the Italian National Academy of Agriculture and the Georgofili Academy. Recipient of the Norman Hudson Memorial Award of the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation (WASWAC), the Gerold Richter Award of the ESSC, and the Italian Knowledge Leaders Award of the Meeting Industry of Italy.