Since the beginnings of the Department in 1950, various investigations were taken up.

At the very beginning, in 50. and 60. of the twentieth century, the research comprising mapping of soil cover (genetic maps, soil classification maps, maps of agricultural usefulness and other) of north-eastern Poland prevailed. In the same time, the studies on hydrogenic soils were taken up, including, specific for the region, gyttja soils (Prof. H. Uggla). The interests of Prof. Uggla drew attention to forest soils, which were also continued by his followers – associate professor (docent) Zbigniew Róg and associate professor (docent) Zofia Ferczyńska-Uggla.

In the mid 70. of last century, studies on reclamation of soils contaminated with brine, crude oil and petrol were commenced. The research projects were carried out by dr Roman Przedwojski, dr Anna Niklewska, Danuta Brzozowa, MSc and supervised by Professor Józef Rytelewski.

In the 70. and 80. of 20^th century, the studies on hydrogenic soils evolved. The general bases of muck-forming process, including transformation of nitrogen compounds (prof. dr hab. Henryk Piaścik, prof. dr hab. Janusz Gotkiewicz) as well as the origin and properties of muck-like soils (prof. dr hab. Henryk Piaścik, dr hab. Andrzej Łachacz) were defined.

In the 80. of the twentieth century, studies on midmoraine soils in Mazurian Lakeland were set up. Prof. dr hab. Bolesław Bieniek initiated the research on deluvial soils and dr Henryka Wójciak started studies of humus compounds in organic soils.

Nowadays, the studies on soil reclamation are continued. The studies were expanded to the influence of compost, sewage sludge and soil improvements on soil properties. The Department carried out international studies in the project ‘Solutions for the safe application of wastewater and sludge for high efficient biomass production in Short-Rotation-Plantations’ of the 6th Framework Programme of European Union (prof. dr hab. Andrzej Łachacz, dr Barbara Kalisz, Radosław Bogdan, MSc). Also research on alluvial and deluvial soils evolved (dr Mirosław Orzechowski, dr  Sławomir Smólczyński and dr Paweł Sowiński) as well as the studies on hydrogenic soils, including soil organic matter (prof. dr hab. Andrzej Łachacz, dr Barbara Kalisz), transformation of nitrogen compounds (dr Jan Pawluczuk) and studies on soils in various landscapes of north-eastern Poland (prof. dr hab. Bolesław Bieniek and dr Arkadiusz Bieniek). The research on gyttja soils and post-lacustrine quaternary rendzinas (dr Bożena Lemkowska) as well as forest wetlands (dr Jerzy Smołucha) are being expanded.