History

The Department of Soil Science (DCS) began its activities as a didactic department in 1973 with the objective of offering courses in the areas of Soil Science for the undergraduate courses of the Higher School of Agriculture of Lavras (ESAL), currently Federal University of Lavras (UFLA). The origin of the Department was inside the Institute of Chemistry John H. Weelock, founded in 1961, with the purpose of conducting analyzes of soil material for practical classes, research and assistance to farmers of the region of Lavras. These activities led to the structuring of the Soil Science Department, which continues to offer, in addition to its research and teaching activities, the extension service, with assistance to companies in the agricultural and industrial sectors, farmers, students and teachers of UFLA and other research centers. The DCS support analyses of soil and plant materials, water, sediments, fertilizers and organic residues either for research or extension.

An intense training program for the professors since the 1970s has allowed the diversification of research activities and, consequently, participation in post-graduate courses at UFLA and other institutions in the country and abroad, acting as advisors, co-advisors or members of boards of thesis and dissertations. Additionally, the staff worked as reviewers for scientific journals, consultants for public agencies of funding and private companies. These activities created the bases for the implementation of the Postgraduate Program in Soil Science (PPGCS). The Master program was created in 1976 and the PhD program was created in 1994.