Course Description
This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the soil-plant relationships, soil fertility, plant nutrition, and nutrient management. Emphasis will be given to soil conditions affecting the availability of nutrients in the soil, the use of soil and plant analysis as a tool for soil fertility and plant nutrition management, and environmental quality associated with the application of fertilizers.
Delivery Method: Distance Education – offered every Spring semester
Schedule: Recorded Classes and Assignments will be posted weekly to the students
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:
– Relate soil fertility to physical, chemical, and biological processes;
– Discuss how nutrients cycle through soils, plants, animals, and the environment;
– Become conversant in soil fertility concepts used in the scientific literature;
– Understand how soil conditions affect plant growth and the relations between soil chemistry and fertilizers. Emphasis is placed on factors affecting availability of nutrients and methods of measuring nutrient availability;
– Understand how soil fertility can be managed and manipulated for applications in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, engineering, and for environmental protection.
Course Topics:
T1. Soil Fertility Introduction
Essential Nutrients
Nutrient Uptake
Response of Plants to Nutrients
T2. Chemistry review
Force between atoms
Bounding Forces in the Soil Chemistry
Molecular Geometry
T3. Soil Chemistry review
Soil constituents
Origin of Soil Electric Charges
Ion Exchange
Buffer Capacity
Measuring Cation Exchange Capacity
T4. Soil Acidity
Sources of Soil Acidity
Components of Soil Acidity
Consequences of Soil Acidity
Soil Acidity Measurement
Liming
T5. Soil Organic Matter
Origin of Soil OM
Nature of Soil OM
Functions of Soil OM
Dynamics of Soil OM
T6. Nitrogen
Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen Fertilization
Nitrogen Analysis and Recommendations
Nitrogen fertilizers
T7. Phosphorus
Phosphorus Cycle
Soil P Availability and Soil P Test
Phosphate Fertilizers
Phosphate Fertilization and Management
T8. Potassium
Potassium Cycle
Soil K Availability and Soil K Test
Potassium Fertilizers
Potassium Fertilization and Management
T9. Secondary Macronutrients (Ca, Mg, and S)
Ca, Mg, and S Cycles
Ca, Mg, and S Availability and Soil Test
Ca, Mg, and S Fertilizers
T10. Micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, B, Mo, Cl)
Micronutrient Cycles
Micronutrient Availability and Soil Test
Micronutrient Fertilizers
T11. Soil Test Calibration and Fertilizer Recommendations
How to decide if a certain crop needs fertilization?
Soil test as a toolbox
How to choose a methodology for soil analysis?
Soil Test Calibration
Soil Sampling, Analysis, and Interpretation
T12. Nutrient Management and Environment
Nutrients and Environment
Nutrient Management Planning for North Carolina