In soil science, the branch of science that deals specifically with the study of soils, including their formation, classification, mapping and use, is known by which name?

Introduction / Context:
Soils play a crucial role in agriculture, ecology and construction. Understanding their properties and distribution is essential for farming, environmental conservation and land use planning. Different branches of science focus on different aspects of the natural world. This question asks you to identify the name of the branch that deals specifically with the scientific study of soils, as opposed to the study of teaching, fruits or ecosystems in general.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to the scientific study of soil.
• The options include pedology, pedagogy, ecology and pomology.
• Each term has a distinct meaning in science or education.
• We assume the standard definitions used in earth science and agriculture.

Concept / Approach:
Pedology is the branch of soil science that studies soils in their natural environment. It focuses on soil formation, classification, morphology and distribution. Pedology helps in understanding soil types, horizons and profiles and is important for mapping soils and planning land use. Pedagogy, in contrast, is the science or art of teaching and education. Ecology is the study of relationships between living organisms and their environment. Pomology is a branch of horticulture that deals with fruit and fruit growing. Since the question is clearly about the study of soil itself, the correct term among the options is pedology.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the key phrase in the question: the study of soil, including formation, classification and use. Step 2: Recall that pedology is a branch of soil science concerned with soil origin, classification and mapping. Step 3: Identify pedagogy as a term related to teaching methods and education, not to physical soil. Step 4: Recognise that ecology deals with ecosystems, organisms and environments as a whole and is broader than soil alone. Step 5: Note that pomology focuses on fruit crops and orchards, and is unrelated to soil as such. Therefore, pedology is the correct choice.

Verification / Alternative check:
Agricultural science texts and soil science references divide soil study into branches such as pedology and edaphology. Pedology deals with soil formation and classification, while edaphology focuses on the influence of soils on living things, especially plants. Glossaries and dictionaries of geology and geography also define pedology as the study of soils in the field. Educational references define pedagogy separately, and horticulture references define pomology in relation to fruit science. This clear separation of terms confirms that pedology is the correct answer to a question about the scientific study of soil.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b, pedagogy, is concerned with teaching, learning and educational methods, not with soil science.

Option c, ecology, is the study of organisms and their interactions with each other and with their environment, which can include soils but is not focused solely on soil.

Option d, pomology, is a branch of horticulture that specialises in the cultivation and study of fruits, not in soil properties.

Common Pitfalls:
Because pedology and pedagogy sound similar, learners sometimes confuse them and choose pedagogy by mistake. Another confusion occurs between ecology and pedology, since both relate to environmental topics, but ecology is broader and not restricted to soil. To avoid these errors, it helps to remember that the prefix pedo in this context comes from the Greek word for soil, whereas peda in pedagogy relates to children and teaching. Associating pedology with soil profiles and maps in geography books can also strengthen the correct association.

Final Answer:
The scientific study of soil is called Pedology.