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Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management (AGRI30047)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2020
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
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This subject will discuss the role of synthetic and organic fertilisers in maintaining soil fertility for sustainable agricultural production systems. The subject will explore the concepts of soil fertility and nutrient management from the standpoint of chemical, physical and biological processes in soil. Key nutrient cycles in soil will be discussed with a view to understanding plant requirements across a range of agricultural crops, where and why inefficiencies occur in delivery of nutrients to the plant and management strategies that can be used to maximise nutrient use efficiency and minimise environmental impacts of fertiliser application. The role of soil amendments in maintaining soil health will also be explored. Students will be encouraged to critically evaluate the role of conventional and alternative fertilisers for maintaining soil fertility and critically review methods used for assessing different nutrient management approaches. The principles involved in soil and plant sampling and analysis, and commercial laboratory methodologies, will be explored in laboratory and field settings. Students will gain skills in interpretation of laboratory data to provide meaningful fertiliser recommendations to growers
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the soil-plant system
- Interpret soil analytical data with a view to predicting fertiliser requirements
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of synthetic fertilisers in global food production systems
- Understand the role of alternative fertilisers in agricultural systems
- Develop skills in critical evaluation of fertilisation strategies
- Understand the importance of sample collection, processing and analysis protocols for obtaining meaningful data
Generic skills
- Respect for truth, intellectual and professional integrity
- The capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research
- An ability to derive, interpret and analyse technical information from primary and other sources
- An ability to integrate information to solve problems in applied situations
- The ability to plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
AGRI20038 | Principles of Soil Science | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Knowledge of basic soil science and plant nutrition
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Tutorial Quiz worth 5% each at week 3 and 7 | From Week 3 to Week 7 | 10% |
Pre-Prac Quiz worth 2.5% each due in weeks 2, 4, 6, 10 | From Week 2 to Week 10 | 10% |
Lab report
| Week 8 | 20% |
Soil assessment report
| Week 12 | 20% |
Exam
| End of semester | 40% |
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of tutorials, practicals and field trips. | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2020
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Soil Fertility and Fertilisers 8th Edition. John L. Havlin, Samuel L. Tisdale, Werner L. Nelson, James D. Beaton
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022