1950–1980: From the Foundation of the Italian Soil Science Society to the Awareness of Soil as a Primary Resource

For the development of soil science in Italy, the period lasting from 1950s to the 1980s was of particular importance. It was in this period that the Italian Soil Science Society (SISS) was founded as well as the Experimental Institute for Soil Study and Conservation in Florence, a privileged venue for the development of soil science in the years to come. Also in that period, the Committee for the Soil Map of Italy was established, allowing the development of soil mapping at national level, and the so-called Soil Conservation project started. Such project continued in the 1980s, stimulating the increase and development of several soil research teams in different Italian regions and universities and of the scientific production and participation of Italian researchers in international conferences.