Key words
organic material, chemical soil properties, nutrients, fertilisers, legislation, fertiliser recommendations
Objectives
This course is essential in the programme Bachelor in Biosciences since the importance of fertilizers, organic or mineral, in the production of agricultural or horticultural crops.
- To understand the main physico-chemical and biological processes and factors affecting the suitability of soils as a growing medium to plants.
- To gain an understanding of the uptake and function of mineral nutrients in the plant
- To gain insight in the factors determining the availability of nutrients in the soil, and in the available fertilizers (organic and mineral).
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
The course allows the student
- to be able to formulate physiological, economical and ecological well-considered fertilizer recommendations, optimally considering the prevailing legislation in Flanders.
- To gain insight in the major physico-chemical and biological processes and factors determining the suitability of the soil or substratum for plant production and plant nutrition, as well as in the different types of fertilizers (organic and mineral) and their applications.
Materials used
::Click here for additional information::
Lecture notes ‘Plantenvoeding en bodembeheer’ (G. BAERT), in Dutch
Study costs
Cost: 15.0 EUR
Study guidance
Permanent possibility for questioning and guidance. Various textbooks available at the laboratory.
Teaching Methods
Lectures combined with exercises and case studies.
Assessment
- Theory : oral examination (open questions)
- Exercises: calculation of fertiliser recommendations
Impact coefficient :
Lecturer(s)
G. BAERT
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