Study Guide

Objective

The student is able to explain the main factors of soil influencing plant growth as well as the role of soil as carbon sink. The student is able to determine the objectives of fertilization and liming based on soil data taking into account environment, sustainability and circular economy.
The student is able to describe the factors related to the formation, composition, function and quality of soil. The student is able to define the soil types and their properties, and is able to apply data in agricultural use.
The student is able to explain basic meteorological concepts and is able to explain the factors influencing weather phenomena, especially in Finnish conditions.
The student is able to assess the need for drying and irrigation required for arable farming and to present different drying and irrigation methods.

Content

The chemical, physical and biological condition of the soil and their importance for crop cultivation.
Nutrient cycles and environmental effects of nutrients, fertilization according to plant need and environmental support conditions, fertilizers including livestock manure and other organic and circular fertilizers,
Soil formation, soil types and their properties, soil minerals and soil organic matter,
Weather observations, Climate zones and Finland's climate, meso- and micro-climates, Weather services for farming,
Principles of soil water management, drainage and irrigation methods.

Materials

Maan vesi- ja ravinnetalous Ojitus, kastelu ja ympäristö, https://www.salaojayhdistys.fi/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/web_maanvesijaravinnetalous_B5_2016.pdf , luvut 2-9

Teaching methods

On line teaching 20%, laboratorywork and field observations (compulsory presence) 20 %, distance learning and tasks 60 %

Exam schedules

No exams

Student workload

Meteorology 27h: teaching 5 h, learning curve and independent learning 22h
Pellon vesitalous 27 h: teaching 5 h, learning curve and independent learning 22 h
Maaperä ja lannoitus 81h: teaching 13 h, exercises and field observations 20 h, learning curve and independent learning 48 h,

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Students are able to study the basics of the period.
The student mainly knows the nutrients in soil and is able to determine the main objectives of fertilization and liming based on soil data.
The student knows the factors related to the formation, composition and function of soil, soil types and their properties.
The student knows basic meteorological concepts and is able to explain the factors influencing weather phenomena, especially in Finnish conditions.
The student knows the need for drying and irrigation required for arable farming and to present different drying and irrigation methods.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Students are able to study course things well.
The student knows well the nutrients in soil and is able to determine the objectives of fertilization and liming based on soil data.
The student knows well the factors related to the formation composition and function of soil, soil types and their properties.
The student knows well basic meteorological concepts and is able to explain the factors influencing weather phenomena, especially in Finnish conditions.
The student is able to assess the need for drying and irrigation required for arable farming and to present different drying and irrigation methods.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Students are able to course things well and know how to apply them in practice.
The student knows well the nutrients in soil and is able to determine the fertilization and liming based on soil data.
The student is able to describe the factors related to the formation and composition and function of soil, soil types and their properties.
The student is able to explain meteorological concepts and is able to explain the factors influencing weather phenomena.
The student is able to assess the need for drying and irrigation required for arable farming and to present different drying and irrigation methods, based on local conditions.