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SLM302Agricultural Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Soil Fertility And Plant Nutrition

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of soil fertility and plant nutrition. It explores the characteristics of tropical soils, including their fertility and organic matter content. Students will learn about liming and its impact on soil-plant relationships, as well as the essential soil plant nutrients elements such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and sulphur. The course also covers fertilizer management, crop growth, and the role of legumes in soil fertility.

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90h
Study Time
13
Weeks
7h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Soil FertilityPlant NutritionTropical SoilsFertilizer ManagementOrganic Matter

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Tropical Soil Fertility

2

Soil Organic Matter

3

Liming and Soil pH

4

Soil Plant Nutrients

5

Fertilizer Management

6

Crop Growth and Nutrition

7

Role of Legumes in Soil

Total Topics7 topics

Requirements

Knowledge and skills recommended for success

Biology

Chemistry

Biochemistry

💡 Don't have all requirements? Don't worry! Many students successfully complete this course with basic preparation and dedication.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Agronomist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Soil Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Farm Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Environmental Scientist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureEnvironmental ManagementFertilizer ProductionSoil ConservationCrop Production

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

2h

Unit 1: Soil fertility in the tropics

2 study hours
  • •Define soil fertility and its importance in tropical agriculture.
  • •Discuss the factors affecting tropical soil fertility, including pH, climate, and microorganisms.
  • •Identify key limitations of tropical soils, such as mineral stress and aluminum toxicity.
Week
2

Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

2h

Unit 2: Tropical land use and soil fertility relation

2 study hours
  • •Describe different land use practices in the tropics, including nomadic herding and shifting cultivation.
  • •Explain how land use affects soil fertility through changes in organic matter content and erosion.
  • •Analyze the impact of agricultural activities on soil chemical, physical, and biological properties.
Week
3

Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

2h

Unit 3: Soil organic matter

2 study hours
  • •Define soil organic matter (SOM) and its components.
  • •Outline the major sources of organic matter, including crop residues and animal waste.
  • •Explain the benefits of organic matter to the soil, such as nutrient retention and water infiltration.
Week
4

Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

2h

Unit 4: Properties of soil organic matter

2 study hours
  • •Explain the properties of soil organic matter, including its role as a nutrient fund and soil structure improver.
  • •Describe how organic matter affects soil physical properties like structure, water holding capacity, and color.
  • •Discuss the chemical and biological functions of SOM, such as cation exchange capacity and soil resilience.
Week
5

Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

2h

Unit 5: Natural factors influencing the amount of organic matter

2 study hours
  • •Explain how temperature, soil moisture, and soil texture influence organic matter content.
  • •Describe the impact of topography, salinity, acidity, vegetation, and biomass production on SOM.
  • •Analyze the mechanisms through which natural factors influence the amount of organic matter.
Week
6

Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

4h

Unit 6: Practices that decrease the amount of organic matter

2 study hours
  • •Identify practices that decrease the amount of organic matter, such as biomass production and burning.
  • •Discuss how tillage practices, drainage, and fertilizer use affect organic matter levels.
  • •Explain the impact of high harvest index and bare fallow on soil organic matter.

Unit 7: Practices that increase the amount of organic matter

2 study hours
  • •Outline practices that increase the amount of organic matter, such as water availability and balanced fertilization.
  • •Describe the benefits of cover crops, improved vegetative stands, and agroforestry.
  • •Explain the roles of reforestation, regeneration, crop residue management, and reduced tillage.
Week
7

Module 2: Liming and Its Soil Plant Relationship

2h

Unit 1: Liming

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the liming of soils and its importance in agriculture.
  • •Explain the causes of soil acidity, including leaching and acidic precipitation.
  • •Analyze the relationship between soil pH and soil acidity.
Week
8

Module 2: Liming and Its Soil Plant Relationship

2h

Unit 2: Liming and soil productivity

2 study hours
  • •Explain different liming materials and their properties.
  • •Discuss the quality standards used to differentiate liming materials, including TNV and CCE.
  • •Outline the positive effects of liming on soil properties and productivity.
Week
9

Module 3: Soil Plant Nutrients Elements

4h

Unit 1: Nitrogen content of soils

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the nitrogen content of soils and its importance for plant growth.
  • •Explain the inherent factors affecting soil nitrogen, such as drainage and texture.
  • •Describe nitrogen management practices, including supply methods and timing of application.

Unit 2: Potassium content of soils

2 study hours
  • •Explain the potassium content of soils and its importance for plant growth.
  • •Discuss the forms of soil K and the factors affecting its availability.
  • •Describe potassium deficiency and toxicity symptoms in plants.
Week
10

Module 3: Soil Plant Nutrients Elements

4h

Unit 2: Phosphorus content of soils

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the phosphorus forms present in soils and their availability for plant uptake.
  • •Explain phosphorus cycling and transformation in the soil, including mineralization and immobilization.
  • •Describe the factors influencing phosphorus availability, such as organic matter and soil pH.

Unit 4: Sulphur content of soils

2 study hours
  • •Describe the forms and functions of sulphur in the soil.
  • •Explain the causes of acid rain and its impact on soil fertility.
  • •Outline the deficiency symptoms of sulphur in plants.
Week
11

Module 4: Fertilizer and Fertilizer Management

2h

Unit 1: Sources of fertilizers

2 study hours
  • •Outline the different sources of fertilizers, including organic and inorganic sources.
  • •Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using organic fertilizers.
  • •Explain the benefits and drawbacks of using inorganic fertilizers.
Week
12

Module 4: Fertilizer and Fertilizer Management

4h

Unit 2: Fertilizer applications

2 study hours
  • •Explain the different fertilizer application methods, including banding and broadcasting.
  • •Discuss proper fertilizer rates of application and the importance of timing.
  • •Outline the factors to consider when choosing fertilizer application methods.

Unit 3: Fertilizer handling and storage

2 study hours
  • •Discuss how best fertilizer storage can be carried out to prevent environmental contamination.
  • •Explain effective ways of handling fertilizers to minimize risks.
  • •Outline the good practices involved in fertilizer storage and handling.
Week
13

Module 5: Crop Growth and Response to Soil Nutrients

4h

Unit 1: Major, secondary and trace elements in crop nutrition

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the major, secondary, and trace elements in crop nutrition.
  • •Outline the forms in which nutrients are taken up by plants in the soil.
  • •Explain the mobility of nutrients in plants and soil.

Unit 2: Nutrient absorption by crops

2 study hours
  • •Discuss nutrient absorption methods by plants, including mass flow and diffusion.
  • •Explain the fate of nutrients applied to the soil and their utilization by crops.
  • •Describe the mechanisms of nutrient uptake by plant cells.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review the definitions of key terms related to soil fertility and plant nutrition.

2

Create concept maps linking the different soil nutrients and their functions.

3

Practice calculating fertilizer application rates based on soil test results.

4

Study the different methods of fertilizer application and their advantages/disadvantages.

5

Focus on understanding the role of legumes in nitrogen fixation and soil improvement.

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