Soil Fertility And Water Management

1. Identify mineral deficiency symptoms in plants.
2. Differentiate between organic and inorganic fertilizers and their methods of application.
3. Perform soil sampling and preparation for analysis.
4. Evaluate soil fertility and recommend appropriate fertilizer applications.
5. Implement soil water conservation techniques and erosion control methods.
6. Analyze soil properties and their impact on crop production.

13 weeks, about 39 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Identification of Mineral Deficiency Symptoms

   • Unit 1: Identification of Mineral Deficiency Symptoms · 3 hours

     Read the introduction to soil fertility and plant nutrients.. Study the essential elements for plant growth and their sources.. Understand the criteria for essentiality of an element.. Identify the devices through which plants obtain nutrients..

2. Week 2Module 1: Identification of Mineral Deficiency Symptoms

   • Unit 1: Identification of Mineral Deficiency Symptoms · 3 hours

     Study the symptoms of nutrient deficiencies for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.. Learn to recognize deficiency symptoms in plant leaves and stems.. Understand the role of water and soil pH in nutrient uptake.. Complete practical assignment on identifying deficiency symptoms..

3. Week 3Module 2: Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers and Methods of Application

   • Unit 2: Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers and Methods of Application · 3 hours

     Define fertilizers and differentiate between organic and inorganic types.. Examine the properties, applications, and effectiveness of organic fertilizers.. Examine the properties, applications, and effectiveness of inorganic fertilizers.. Understand the role of mineral fertilizers in agriculture..

4. Week 4Module 2: Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers and Methods of Application

   • Unit 2: Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers and Methods of Application · 3 hours

     Study the benefits of elements contained in fertilizers (N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, B, Zn).. Learn about phosphate, nitrogen, and potassium fertilizers.. Understand the importance of organic manures and their effects on soil fertility.. Complete practical assignment on fertilizer types and application..

5. Week 5Module 2: Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers and Methods of Application

   • Unit 2: Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers and Methods of Application · 3 hours

     Study the different types of organic manures: farmyard manure, compost, green manures, sawdust, and sewage.. Learn how to prepare farmyard manures and compost.. Understand the benefits of green manuring.. Discuss the composition and use of sewage as fertilizer..

6. Week 6Module 3: Soil Sampling and Preparation

   • Unit 3: Soil Sampling and Preparation · 3 hours

     Understand the agronomic aims of soil analysis.. Learn the general principles of soil sampling.. Study the types of sampling: simple random, systematic, and stratified.. Examine the phases of soil testing: sample collection, extraction, interpretation, and fertilizer recommendation..

7. Week 7Module 3: Soil Sampling and Preparation

   • Unit 3: Soil Sampling and Preparation · 3 hours

     Learn about soil sampling techniques, field processing, and laboratory processing.. Understand the laboratory factors of importance to soil extraction.. Study the methods for dissolution for total elemental analysis (wet and dry ashing).. Complete practical assignment on soil sampling and preparation..

8. Week 8Module 3: Soil Sampling and Preparation

   • Unit 3: Soil Sampling and Preparation · 3 hours

     Study the methods for testing soil pH, soil acidity, and lime requirement.. Learn about the causes of soil acidity.. Understand the importance of soil pH in crop production.. Examine the colorimetric and potentiometric methods of pH measurement..

9. Week 9Module 3: Soil Sampling and Preparation

   • Unit 3: Soil Sampling and Preparation · 3 hours

     Study the methods for determining soil organic matter (SOM).. Learn the Walkley and Black procedure for estimating oxidizable carbon.. Understand the methods for testing available nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus).. Examine the chemistry of phosphorus in the soil and criteria for selecting extractants..

10. Week 10Module 3: Soil Sampling and Preparation

    • Unit 3: Soil Sampling and Preparation · 3 hours

      Study the methods for determining exchangeable cations and available sulfur.. Learn about the determination of micronutrients.. Understand the importance of micronutrient analysis.. Complete practical assignment on soil nutrient testing..

11. Week 11Module 4: Soil Water Conservation Techniques and Erosion Control Methods

    • Unit 4: Soil Water Conservation Techniques and Erosion Control Methods · 3 hours

      Define soil and water conservation and soil erosion.. Understand the causes of soil erosion by water and wind.. Study the effective erosion management procedures.. Learn about soil and water conservation structures..

12. Week 12Module 4: Soil Water Conservation Techniques and Erosion Control Methods

    • Unit 4: Soil Water Conservation Techniques and Erosion Control Methods · 3 hours

      Learn about the characteristics of surface runoff and factors affecting it.. Study the methods for determining amounts of runoff for design of SWC structures.. Understand the concepts of time of concentration and design storm.. Examine the methods for estimating surface runoff (runoff coefficient, Cook's method, runoff curve numbers, rational formula)..

13. Week 13Module 4: Soil Water Conservation Techniques and Erosion Control Methods

    • Unit 4: Soil Water Conservation Techniques and Erosion Control Methods · 3 hours

      Study the general principles for the design of SWC structures.. Learn about the factors considered in designing SWC structures.. Understand the types of conservation structures (diversion ditches, retention ditches, terraces, waterways).. Examine the benefits and limitations of conservation structures.. Discuss the management and maintenance of SWC structures..