The Soil Science Institute is a forefather of soil micromorphological investigations (B.B. Polynov, I.I. Feofarova, E.I. Parfenova, E.A. Yarilova).
The Institute was a co-ordinator of joint researches according to the plan of scientific-technical collaboration in the sphere of agriculture between CMEA countries; it conducted scientific work on the bilateral base with partners from the USA, France, Germany, Mongolia, Libya and other countries, rendered scientific assistance to pedologists of Cuba, Laos, Syria, etc.
At the end of the XX century the Institute conducted the research participating in the implementation of international projects and contracts within the framework of Ministries and Departments of the Russian Federation.