Soil Fertility And Plant Nutrition

1. Explain the characteristics of tropical soils and their fertility.
2. Describe the role of soil organic matter in plant nutrition.
3. Discuss the importance of liming in managing soil pH.
4. Identify essential soil plant nutrients and their functions.
5. Understand fertilizer management practices and their impact on crop growth.
6. Explain the role of legumes in improving soil fertility.

13 weeks, about 36 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

   • Unit 1: Soil fertility in the tropics · 2 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..

2. Week 2Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

   • Unit 2: Tropical land use and soil fertility relation · 2 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..

3. Week 3Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

   • Unit 3: Soil organic matter · 2 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..

4. Week 4Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

   • Unit 4: Properties of soil organic matter · 2 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..

5. Week 5Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

   • Unit 5: Natural factors influencing the amount of organic matter · 2 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..

6. Week 6Module 1: Tropical Soils Fertility and Organic Matter

   • Unit 6: Practices that decrease the amount of organic matter · 2 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 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..

7. Week 7Module 2: Liming and Its Soil Plant Relationship

   • Unit 1: Liming · 2 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..

8. Week 8Module 2: Liming and Its Soil Plant Relationship

   • Unit 2: Liming and soil productivity · 2 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..

9. Week 9Module 3: Soil Plant Nutrients Elements

   • Unit 1: Nitrogen content of soils · 2 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 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..

10. Week 10Module 3: Soil Plant Nutrients Elements

    • Unit 2: Phosphorus content of soils · 2 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 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..

11. Week 11Module 4: Fertilizer and Fertilizer Management

    • Unit 1: Sources of fertilizers · 2 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..

12. Week 12Module 4: Fertilizer and Fertilizer Management

    • Unit 2: Fertilizer applications · 2 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 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..

13. Week 13Module 5: Crop Growth and Response to Soil Nutrients

    • Unit 1: Major, secondary and trace elements in crop nutrition · 2 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 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..