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Learning Objectives
Knolewdge acquired:
- the chemical composition of soil constituents, their dynamics and their effect on fertility,
-The processes and dynamics of soil formation
-the immobilization and run-off of plant nutrients and xenobiotics.
- Property and uses of fertilizers
- principal soil chemical analyses
- soil forming factors and processes
Competence acquired (at the end of the course):
The ability to assess the physico- chemical fertility of soils, and the pollution risks associated with their management.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
The ability to manage soils and soil fertility
The ability to read and interpret a report of soil analysis
Prerequisites
courses of:
matematics, general and inorganic chemistry,
organic chemistry
Teaching Methods
lectures, field excursion and lab training
Type of Assessment
Oral examination
Course program
The soil and its composition. The solid phase of soil: physical and chemical characteristics and transformation processes. Soil mineral fraction: structure and properties. Clay minerals: structure, functions and properties. Soil Organic Matter: chemical-physical characteristics and agronomic functions,. Water and air in soil, redox state and transformations of soil components in reducing conditions. Soil pH, buffer properties, characteristics of acid and alkaline soils and their amendment. Soil forming processes. Outlines on USDA soil taxonomy.
The cycle of nutrition elements (N,P,K,S) macro- and micronutrients in the plant-soil system. total and available nutrients, and their balance in soil Evaluation of soil fertility Fertilizers: title determination, soluble, total and available fractions: simple, binary and ternary fertilizer: chemical characteristics and use. Organic fertilizers, compost, slow release fertilizers. SOil profile and its description.. Soil forming factors and their combination during pedogenesis.
Main processes occurring during soil formation
Soil classification according to USDA Soil Taxonomy. Diagnostic horizonts, thermic and humidity regimes. Survey of the 12 soil order of soil taxonomy.
Laboratory: determination methods of:
Soil texture, Soil structure, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, actual and exchangeable acidity.
Calculations and reproducibility of chemical analyses