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Module (Course Syllabus) Catalogue
2019-2020
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
Weekly hours (Practical) (3) hours class ( ) hours workload
Lecturer (Theory) Dawod Rasooli Keya
E-Mail & Mobile NO. [email protected] +964 750 796 4444
Lecturer (Practical) Mss. Isra
E-Mail & Mobile NO.
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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 profitability while 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
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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
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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
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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 Quality Evaluation of
Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
3
Questions Example Design
Ministry of High Education and Subject: Soil science
Scientific Research Class: 1st S
Erbil Polytechnic University Time: 60 Minutes
Khabat Technical Institute S1-Midterm Examination (2019 -2020) Date: / /2020
Department: Plant Protection
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) Describe physical and chemical weathering role in the soil development process. (5 marks)
3) (8 Marks)
a) Define soil texture and soil structure.
b) What are the Hue, Value and Chroma in Munsell color system?
c) Explain the soil temperature.
d) Define field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP).
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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 .bsoil
1 %, PWP = 13.1 %, w
= 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.
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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 f unctions of K and Ca for plant growth . b) Mention to the t ypes of Fertilizers .
9) Mention to the f ertilizer a pplication p rocedures and what are the r ules 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.
Directorate of Quality Assurance and Accreditation نياىي جؤرى و وةبةرايةتى دل بةري
ةبةخشنيمتمان
Khabat Technical Institute Plant Production Department
Directorate of Quality Assurance and Accreditation نياىي جؤرى و وةبةرايةتى دل بةري
ةبةخشنيمتمان
Khabat Technical Institute Plant Production Department
Directorate of Quality Assurance and Accreditation نياىي جؤرى و وةبةرايةتى دل بةري
ةبةخشنيمتمان
Khabat Technical Institute Plant Production Department