Training Manual . - Voronezh: FGU VPO VSAU, 2004. - 287 s. The history of the development of land surveying in Russia. Comparative analysis of modern methods of soil assessment. The feasibility of assessing the quality of soils as a means of production, mainly crop products . A fundamentally new methodology for assessing the quality of soils as a natural historical body of nature and a real estate object is proposed . Key assessment indicators for the preparation of assessment scales. Various options for soil quality assessment for practical purposes are considered. Specific examples of soil assessment for different purposes and mapping to develop different management practices.