Module (Course Syllabus) Catalogue 2019-2020 cures 2020.pdf · 2020-02-20 · The Nature and Properties of Soils, 14th Edition. Prentice Hall, Publisher. 4. Helmut Kohnke and D.P

DirectorateofQuality Assurance and Accreditation بةخشني ةبةرِيَوةبةرايةتى دلَنيايى جؤرى و متمان

Khabat Technical Institute Plant Production Department

College /Institute Khabat Technical Institute

Department Plant Production

Module Name Fundamentals of Soil Science and Soil Fertility

Module Code SSF204

Semester 2st

Credits 7

Module Type Prerequisite ■Core ☐ Assist.☐

Weekly hours 6

Weekly hours (Theory) (2) hours class ( 60 )hr Workload

Weekly hours (Practical) (3)hours class ( 90 )hr Workload

Lecturer (Theory) Nazar Mohammed Samin

E-Mail & Mobile NO. [email protected]

Lecturer (Practical) Mss. Hazhar

E-Mail & Mobile NO. [email protected] 07504717063

Module (Course Syllabus) Catalogue

2019-2020



Course Book

Course Description Studies the physical and chemical properties of soil; soil formation

and classification. Also studies the essential plant nutrients and their

availability in soil. Balances theoretical and practical aspects of soil

fertility and includes soil testing and fertilizer products.

Soil conditions affecting availability of plant nutrients; function

and movement of nutrients in plants; methods of determining

nutrient levels in plants, soils, and other growing media.

Course Objectives On completion of this course the student will be able to:

As a result of this class, the student will: a. Understand and demonstrate knowledge of the physical nature of soil b. Identify the chemical components of soil and apply that knowledge to practical agronomic situations. The objective of this course is to provide students with a

comprehensive understanding of soil fertility, plant nutrition, and

nutrient management so that they can :

1. Describe the influence of chemical, biological, and physical

properties of soil and other growing media on nutrient

availability to plants ;

2. Identify soil (or growing media) fertility and plant nutrition

problems and recommend proper corrective action ;

Identify soil (or growing media) and nutrient management

practices that maximize plant productivity and profitabilitywhile

maintaining or enhancing environmental quality

Student's Obligation Create, interpret and analyze written text, oral messages and

multimedia presentations used in agricultural and life sciences

Required Learning Materials Theory: lecture halls with computers equipment for lecture

presentations, white board, overhead projector, posters

Laboratory practice: Laboratory with equipment for training,

white board, computer with equipment for PowerPoint

presentations, overhead projector, posters

Field practice: equipment available in various settings

Assessment scheme 16% Mid Term (Theory + Practical)

4% Quiz

40% Assignment (report, paper, homework, seminar…)

40% Final exam



Specific Learning Outcome: 1. Apply fundamental principles of chemistry and physics in

relation to critical zone processes in the pedosphere and

hydrosphere.

2. Classify fundamental biological processes and differentiate

basic organism function in soil and hydrologic systems.

3. Utilize field observations, case study evidence and

experimental data to describe soil formation, morphology

and interactions of the varied components of the hydrologic

cycle.

Course References: 1. Edward J. Plaster, Soil Science and Management

2. Soil Fertility and Fertilizers by John L. Havlin et al. 7th

edition. 3. Nyle C. Brady and Ray R. Weil. 2002. The Nature and Properties

of Soils, 14th Edition. Prentice Hall, Publisher.

4. Helmut Kohnke and D.P. Franzmeier. 1995. Soil Science Simplified, 4th Edition. Waveland Press, In.

5. Mark S. Coyne and James A. Thompson. 2006. Fundamental Soil Science, 1st Edition, Thomson Delmar Learning

1. Course calendar (Theoretical Part):

Week Outline No. of Hours

1 Understand the importance of soil and its utilization

Define soil in agronomic terms 2

2 Describe the origin and development of soil

Distinguish the physical properties of soil 2

3 Study the forms of soil water

Describe the importance of organic matter to soil 2

4 Recognize the function of microorganisms in soil

Explain the difference between texture and structure 2

5 Determine the texture of various soil samples

Understand the factors which effect soil color 2

6 Identify the sources of plant nutrients in the soil

Describe the function and use of the required plant Nutrients 2

7 Explain the availability of the various plant nutrients

Describe the relationship between soil pH and nutrient availability 2

8 Collect a soil sample for soil testing

Understand the process of the soil testing procedure 2

9 Use a soil test report to determine fertilizer application rates

Demonstrate knowledge of fertilizer grades 2



10 Define action exchange capacity Use the concept of CEC to determine percent base saturation 2

11 Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition,Phosphorus and Potassium in Plants

Sulfur, Calcium, and Magnesium in Soil, Basic Soil-Plant Relationships 2

12 Nutrient Transport in Plants,Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in Soil

Soil Acidity and Alkalinity 2

Course Calendar/Practical Part

Week Outline No. of Hours

1 Soil color

Soil texture 3

2 Soil Structure

Density and Pore Space

3

3 Soil Water

Soil water potential

3

4 Soil water content

Soil water movement

3

5 Hydrologic cycle

Soil Air

3

6 Thermal properties of soils

Redox potential

3

7 Aeration related to Management

Soil and Colloids

3

8 Silicate and nonsilicate clays

Cation exchange reactions & CEC

3

9 Soil Acidity

Determination of pH

3

10 Buffers

Liming Soils

3

11 Soil Acidity and Alkalinity

Evaluation of Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition

3

12 Nutrient Management, Nutrients and Environmental QualityEvaluation of

Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition

3

Questions Example Design

Ministry of High Education and

Scientific Research

Erbil Polytechnic University

Khabat Technical Institute

Department: Plant Protection

Subject: Soil science

Class: 1st S

Time: 60 Minutes

Date: //2020

S1-Midterm Examination (2019-2020)



1) (9 marks) a) Define soil according to Buckman and Brady. b) What is soil on Pedological and Edaphological point of view? c) Explain the major components of soil.

2) Describephysical and chemical weathering role in the soil development process. (5marks)

3) (8 Marks)

a) Define soil texture and soil structure. b) What are the Hue, Value and Chroma in Munsellcolor system? c) Explain the soil temperature. d) Define field capacity (FC) andpermanent wilting point (PWP).

4) (12 Marks)

a) Write three properties for Sand, Silt and Clay. b) Write the name of each of the following shapes.

5) What is soil water availability? Calculate the available water (AW) in a soil, if you have provided with the following information. (7 marks)

[FC = 22.1 %, PWP = 13.1 %, = 1.51 (g/cm3), = 1 (g/cm3), Zr =80 (cm)]

6) (9 marks) a) Write 5 factors that affect soil pH. b) Explain this figure.

bsoil w



7) (10 marks)

a) Write the two properties for Protozoa, Algae and Fungi.

b) Describe the types of Mycorrhizae.

8) (15 Marks) a) Write the functions of K and Ca for plant growth. b) Mention to the types of Fertilizers.

9) Mention to the fertilizer application procedures and what are the rules for applying fertilizers. (10 Marks)

10) (15 Marks)

a) How plants take up mineral elements from soil? b) What is meant by “plant nutrition”? c) Describe and draw the Apoplastic and Symplastic transport by following image.



Practical questions: 11) How to take soil samples, mention to topics. Describe these sampling patterns. (10 Marks)

Image (1) Image (2)

12) Calculate the bulk density (b) for a given soil sample: (10 marks) a) Core diameter= 5.8 cm b) Core height= 7.0 cm c) Weight of dry soil= 287.8 gr

13) Complete the following table and calculate the soil particle size percentage. (51 marks)

Reading time Hydrometer reading (g/l) Corrected reading (g/l)

--------- Blank cylinder Soil cylinder ---------------

40 seconds 1 27

2 hours 1 12.5

Original concentration=35.8 g/l

14) Write the name of following equipment. (10 marks)

…………………… ………………………… ……………………….

15) Describe the purpose of following tests: (02 marks)

a) Soil Organic Matter b) Soil EC c) Soil pH d) Soil moisture



16) Area is an 8dunam farm near Shaqlawa cultivated bythree crops and recommended amount of fertilizer are given. (10marks)

Crop name Area (dunam) Recommended amount (kg/ha)

Urea Manure

Cucumber 1.8 180 5000

Bean 4.3 200 8000

Cabbage 1.9 160 6000

a) Calculate amount of urea fertilizer and manure for each crops. b) Calculate the total of needed amount urea and manure fertilizer.

17) A sack of N-P-K fertilizer (20 - 10 - 15), is applied to 1dunam of tomato field. Calculate the amount of N, P

and K, if sack has 50 kg weight. (51 marks)

18) Calculate the amounts of Nitrate for following pot if recommended amount is equal to 45 Kg/ha. Soil bulk density=1.47 g/cm3 (10 marks)

Documents

Module (Course Syllabus) Catalogue 2019-2020 cures 2020.pdf · 2020-02-20 · The Nature and Properties of Soils, 14th Edition. Prentice Hall, Publisher. 4. Helmut Kohnke and D.P