Soil as growing factor (5cr)

Objective

Students will understand how nutrients behave in the soil and plants and how they interact with fertilizers. They will be competent in determining the need for fertilization and spreading lime and in manually planning a fertilization scheme. Students will be aware of the aims and techniques of cultivating various types of soil, as well as the more common cultivation machinery.

Students will acquire basic knowledge of soil formation and composition and be able to identify types of soils and their physical properties, and their relationship to farming.

Content

- Factors of growth as it relates to fertilization
- Fertilizers
- Fertilizing soil sustainably
- Manure and other organic fertilizers
- Principles and aims of soil cultivation
- Machinery needed for fertilization and cultivation
- Sampling of soil samples and the interpretation of results

Soil formation, Types of soils and their characteristics, Minerals and secondary minerals, Soil organic matter.

Materials

Material in moodle and
- Heinonen et al. (eds.). Maa, viljely ja ympäristö (appl. parts). WSOY.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 50 %, practicals 20 %, Assignments and independent study: 30 % which are associated with the course contents and information students have acquired on a given topic, practical problem-solving, and an exam.

Student workload

Total work load 135 h
- of which scheduled studies: 77 h
- of which autonomous studies: 57 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Students are able to study the basics of the period.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Students are able to course things well.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Students are able to course things well and knows how to apply them in practice.