Soil Science and Plant Fertilization

Lectures

1. Soil definition and functions, soil-forming factors

2. Characteristics of parent materials of soils in Poland

3. Soil organic matter – properties and function

4. Clay minerals, structure, characteristics and functions

5. Soil water and soil air properties

6. Nomenclature of soils according to the WRB nomenclature

7. Soil threats and forms of degradation

8. Soil quality indicators

9. Plant nutrition and fertilizer needs – definition and methods of determing, Fertilizer laws

10. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium calcium fertilizers

11. Natural fertilizer and oganic fertilizers

12.Losses of fertilizer components and chemical degradation of environmental

13. Fertilizer consumption by agriculture

Classes

Laboratory classes

1. Characteristics of minerals and igneous rocks occurring commonly in Poland

2. Characteristics of minerals and sedimentary rocks occurring commonly in Poland

3. Soil texture, nomenclature and assessment

4. Soil structure, types of aggregates, their resilience

5. Assessment of water retention

6. Assessment of pH and calcium carbonate contents

7. Basics of soil biological properties

8. Introduction to field classes

9. Determining chemical composition and fodder quality of plants

10. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of fertilizers (nitrogen fertilizers). Determination of nitrogen content in nitrogenous fertilizers by formalin method

11. Assessment of available phosphorus and potassium in soil with the

Egner-Riehm method.

12. Assessment of the content of total nitrogen and its ammonium form in compost and manure

13. The balance of nutrients on the farm. Calculation of doses of fertilizers

14. pH measurement, Approximate determination of soil liming needs with the using Schaschtschabel method.

15. Determination of total alkalinity of calcium and calcium-magnesium fertilizers

Field classes

Description of the soil profiles in Mydlniki: cambic soils, luvic soils and leptosol.

Student activity structure:

classes with the academic 60, ECTS ** 2.40

academic level

including:

lectures 30 hours

classess and seminars 30 hours

consultation 0 hours

shares in research 0 hours

obligatory internships and internships 0 hours

participation in the exam and passing 0 hours.

personal workload (without or with academics participation during consultations) (2.6 ECTS **) 125 hours

knowledge:

- the student has knowledge of the basics of soil science and soil classification

- knows the possibilities, means and ways of shaping the fertility of arable soils

skills:

- is able to manage soil resources and properly plan the use of soils

- is able to carry out the analysis and prepare a plan for improving soil fertility

social competence:

- works and organizes activities in a small team in order to perform a laboratory experiment and solve problems

- appreciates the importance and need to care for the environment on a local and global scale