Soils

The student must have a good knowledge of chemistry, biology and introduction to agricultural practices. Ideally, for a good progression of the student, he/she should have already passed these UC.

To achieve the objectives of each of the aspects focused on in the curricular unit and the acquisition of skills by students, the teaching-learning process is based on:

1. The study of concrete cases, accompanied by a set of instructions that lead the student to analyze them, draw conclusions and make decisions or suggest actions;

2. Carrying out practical work to apply theoretical concepts, which can be either numerical, laboratory or field in nature, namely in the identification and characterization of profiles corresponding to different types of soil and in the assessment of soil fertility;

3. Bibliographical research necessary to complement the information obtained in classes and for the execution of reports.

The student is expected to acquire the following skills to carry out the course unit successfully:

1. Identify the constituents and properties of soils natural or subject to plant production.

2. Identifies the general factors and processes responsible for soil formation and differentiation.

3. Understands soil degradation processes and the practices that contribute for the conservation and improvement of soil quality.

4. Knows the dynamics of mineral elements in the soil-plant-atmosphere system, the chemical, physical and biological fertility of soils.

5. Elaborate a crop fertilization plan.

1. Mineral and organic constituents of soil; Soil mineralogy; Organic matter.

2. Soil properties and their relation with the constitution.

3. Soil water: content, retention and movements in saturated and unsaturated soil; water availability to plants.

4. Factors and processes of soil formation; diagnostic horizons; main soil types.

5. Types of erosion: wind and water; factors and processes; methods to combat erosion and soil conservation practices; universal soil loss equation.

6. Effects of soil composition and properties on plant growth and development. Factors and laws of plant growth. Biogeochemical cycle and balance of plant nutrients. Soil fertility, plant nutrition and soil suitability for production.

Continuous Assessment:

Part I: the contents concerning Soil Constitution and Properties; Soil Conservation and Soil Degradation are taught. This module assesses the learning outcomes related to skills 1 and 2.

Components to be assessed and marking tools:

1) written test (TE) (65%),

2) practical class reports (RP) (10%)

3) study of a specific case with the preparation of a written report (RE) (25%).

Classification of part I  = 0,65xTE + 0,10xRP + 0,25xRE

Part II: the contents concerning Soil formation and classification; Soil fertility are taught and they should confer competences 3, 4 and 5.

Components to be classified and evaluation tools:

1) written test (TE) (30%);

2) Soil loss calculation (USLE, Trab 1) (20%)

3) Preparation of a fertilization plan (Trab 2) (50%)

Classification of part II = 0,30xTE + 0,20xTrab 1 + 0,50xTrab 2

 The final classification is the arithmetic mean of both parts.

In Assessment by Examination:

 The student can choose to:

1) take only the written exam, with all the contents, which will be worth 100% of the final grade;

2) take the written exam (Exam), without the content of the fertilization plan that will be worth 75% of the final grade, with the remaining 25% resulting from the grade of the completed fertilization plan (Trab): Final grade=Exam x 75% +Trab x 25%

NAO