An understanding of the differences in yield potential and soil characteristics between slope directions in hilly uplands fields is fundamentally important for efficient management of the fields. Although the influences of slope direction on soil organic matter have not been widely studied in arable land, there are extensive reports in native or uncultivated land covered with forest. The present study was done in hilly upland potato fields in Kamikawa district, Hokkaido, Japan to evaluate differences in yield potential and soil characteristics between slope directions. Eighty paired surface soil and potato samples were collected at flowering and harvesting stages, respectively, over a period of two years. Slope direction of each field was determined using ArcGIS software, and potato fields were categorized into two groups (north-facing and south-facing) based on slope direction. This study revealed that (1) the average soil total carbon content was significantly higher in fields with north-facing slopes (18.5 g kg^-1) compared to south-facing fields (13.9 g kg^-1), (2) cation exchange capacity was also significantly higher in north-facing compared to south-facing fields, and (3) tuber yields of Toyoshiro cultivar were relatively higher in fields with slope direction facing south than those facing north whereas Kitahime cultivar showed the opposite trend. In conclusion, depending on the cultivar, slope direction can affect potential yield by altering climate conditions (air temperature, soil temperature, day length, and diurnal variation of temperature) as well as by modifying soil characteristics.

　　The revised Course of Study in high school Geography, where two subjects will start from 2022, increases demand for global thinking and active learning using map and geographic information system. Soil scientists need to provide precise soil maps and terms for high school students, based on the updated knowledge in soil science field. We propose the revised version of the imprecise terms and maps seen in the existing Geography textbooks. The revision includes (1) simplification of several black soils (Chernozem, Kastanozem, prairie soil, and pampa soil) into Chernozem, (2) removal of the tundra soil from textbook description, (3) revision of laterite to Ferralsol (Latosol), (4) correction of the overestimated Podzol and Ferralsol zones in the soil map of the existing Geography textbooks, (5) introduction of Luvisol including terra rossa and terrra roxa soils, and (6) introduction of Andosol and Fluvisol for intrazonal soil. These revisions will improve interaction between soil, livelihood, and culture in the world and the uniqueness of soils in Japan.

　　The acidic surface soil of non-allophanic Andosols may affect grass growth in grassland. In the Kyushu region of Japan, non-allophanic Andosols are mainly concentrated on the Kuju Plateau in Oita Prefecture. This study aimed to investigate the effect of climatic factors on the distribution of non-allophanic surface soils, clarify the surface soil acidity of grasslands, and evaluate the effect of liming on the early growth of grasses and on the soil chemical properties. The surface soils of 17 out of 27 sites in 25 grassland fields had the ratio of sodium pyrophosphate-extractable Al to acid ammonium oxalate-extractable Al (Al_p/Al_o) ≧ 0.5 which is a non-allophanic characteristics. Moreover, 15 out of the 17 sites had a Thornthwaite’s P-E (precipitation–evapotranspiration) index ≧ 200, which indicates low temperatures and high precipitation. Ten sites of non-allophanic soil and two sites of allophanic soil were acidic with an exchangeable acidity (y₁) of ≧ 3. Pot experiments showed that liming the acidic soils to create y₁ < 3.0 improved the early growth of Italian ryegrass and significantly decreased the amount of exchangeable Al and organic bound-Al in the soil. These findings suggested that y₁ of 3, used as a target value for acidity management of grassland in Niigata Prefecture, could also be applied on the Kuju Plateau, regardless of the type of Andosol.

　　Soil information is key to determine optimum agricultural management. Especially, the understanding of inherent soil characteristics combined with appropriate soil fertility evaluation are necessary. In many countries, soil information is outdated and no reliable information exists. We focused our effort in the central highlands of Malawi, the major potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) producing area where the current yield is low. This study was conducted to classify and evaluate agricultural soils in the area. Three soil profiles were evaluated in the area. Bembeke Agricultural Experimental Station and Chimlambe village soils were classified into Oxisols while Sithawika village soil was classified into Entisols. Kaolinite dominated in Oxisols whereas in Entisols, kaolinite and illite co-dominated. In this area, topography was a major soil forming factor, influencing the supply of colluvial and alluvial materials. Total C contents as well as CEC were variable among the sites and reflected soil moisture regimes, topography, and intensity of agricultural management. The nutrient results indicated low base cation contents in Oxisols unlike the previous reports, while P contents were not low. In conclusion, two different soil orders exist in the study area with variable clay mineralogy and total C contents while nutrient imbalance was observed reflecting the interaction of inherent soil characteristics and agricultural management.