189251

Soil Fertility Management

This course examines the influence of soil factors on plant nutrient cycling in agricultural production systems. The composition, properties and uses of fertilisers to improve soil fertility and the associated environmental issues arising from soil water relationships and interactions with plant nutrients. Methods for measuring nutrient levels in soils will also be covered.

Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

189251

Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

200-level

Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

15

Subject

Soil Science

Course planning information

Course notes

Laboratory class participation and reports are compulsory.

Prerequisite courses

Complete first

You need to complete the above course or courses before moving onto this one.

General progression requirements

You must complete at least 45 credits from 100-level before enrolling in 200-level courses.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Describe the important chemical, biological and physical processes that influence the distribution of nutrients and soil fertility in various ecosystems.
  • 2 Explain how the chemical properties of soils and nutrient elements and soil water properties determine the residence time of nutrients in soil, their availability to plants and rates of loss from ecosystems.
  • 3 List and describe common fertiliser materials and their interactions with soils, plants and animals.
  • 4 Discuss selected techniques suitable for assessing fertiliser requirements and for monitoring soil fertility status.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Written Assignment 1 2 12%
Written Assignment 1 2 3 4 20%
Written Assignment 3 4 8%
Exam (centrally scheduled) 1 2 3 4 60%
Participation 1 2 3 4 0%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

Textbooks can change. We recommend you wait until at least seven weeks before the semester starts to buy your textbooks.

Highly recommended

SOIL SCIENCE: SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Author
MCLAREN, R.G. AND CAMERON, K.C.
ISBN
9780195583458
Edition
2ND EDITION (1996)
Publisher
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, AUCKLAND.

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