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Soil-plant relationships

Marking scale: Pass with distinction = >80%; Pass with credit = 60-80%; Pass = 40-60%; Fail = <40%

Language: English

Prerequisites: English language test: 450 points in written International TOEFL test or 4.5 in academic IELTS test.

Duration: 1 week

Location: Cantho University

Objectives

After completing the course the student should be able to:

• Describe the process of photosynthesis and the carbon and oxygen cycles
• Understand physical, chemical and biological properties of soils.
• Describe the nutrients needed by plants
• Understand the role of organic matter and pH in soils
• Understand the role of microorganisms in soils
• Describe the cycling of N, P and K in soils
• Understand the role of “biochar” in soils
• Understand the difference between organic and ecological agriculture

Content

The plant morphology. photo synthesis, cycling of C, H and O; llant nutrients, essential and others; The soil system with plant roots. Soil formation. Pore size distribution in different soils and root development. Influence of organic material on pore size distribution and root development (manure, mulching). Water infiltration, drainage, soil air. Plant available water, unavailable water. Influence of hydrogen ion activity (pH), plant nutrients in the soil solutions. Characteristics of soil particles, inorganic, organic. Exchange processes between soil particles-soil solution-roots. Turn over of organic material. Nutrient cycling of N, P, K and other macro-and micronutrients. Symbiotic microorganisms.

Scheduled activities Hours Compulsory
Lectures approx. 12 no
Exercises and discussions approx. 32 yes
Examination and evaluation approx. 8 yes

Individual studies, not scheduled

Literature studies approx. 8 no

Literature

Required reading is made available on CD-ROM and as URLs on the World Wide Web.

Examination

Written examination and/or oral presentation of assignments