Key words
organic material, chemical soil properties, nutrients, fertilisers, legislation, fertiliser recommendations
Objectives
To understand the main physico-chemical and biological processes and factors affecting the suitability of soils as a growing medium to plants, to be acquainted with the different kinds of fertilisers (organic and mineral) and theis applications.
Topics
In the first part, major attention is given to the chemical soil characteristics and processes, as the breakdown of the organic matter in the soil, soil acidity, cation exchange capacity.
The second part covers plant nutrition and fertilisers. Following topics are discussed: mineral composition of plants, uptake and translocation of mineral elements by plants, physiological functions of minerals, physico-chemical behaviour of minerals in soils, classification and main properties of organic and mineral fertilizers, national regulations concerning the use and the quantities of applied fertilizers.
Finally, the last chapter deals with the application of fertilisers and critically reviews the different approaches leading to the formulation of optimal fertiliser recommendations for the major crops.
Prerequisites
Basical knowledge of chemistry and soil science
Final Objectives
De course allows the student to formulate physiological, economical and ecological well-considered fertilizer recommendations, optimally considering the prevailing legislation in Flanders.
Materials used
Lecture notes ‘Plant nutrition and soil management’ (G. BAERT), in Dutch
Study costs
Cost: 15.0 EUR
15 euro
Study guidance
Permanent possibility for questioning and guidance. Various textbooks available at the laboratory.
Teaching Methods
Lectures combined with exersises and case studies.
Assessment
Theory : oral examination (open questions)
Excersizes: calculation of fertiliser recommendations
Impact coefficient :
theory: 3/4
teamproject : 1/4
Lecturer(s)
G. Baert
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