Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition

The student should have good knowledge of chemistry, biology and pedology. Ideally, for good student progression, must already have a positive performance in these UC.

To achieve  the objectives of each of the aspects focused on the curricular unit and  the competences foreseen to the students, the teaching-learning process is based on:

i) The study of specific cases, accompanied by a set of instructions that lead the student to analyze them, draw conclusions and make decisions or suggest actions; ii) In the execution of practical works for the application of theoretical concepts, which can be numerical, laboratory or field in nature; iii) In the necessary bibliographical research to complement the information obtained in the classes and for the execution of the reports.

For the student to complete the curricular unit successfully, he/she must acquire the following skills:

1. Know the behavior of nutrients in the soil-plant-atmosphere system and the importance of physical, chemical and biological soil fertility;

2. Carry out procedures to assess soil fertility and plant nutritional status, namely: a) Collect samples of soil and plant material; b) Know the methodologies used in the chemical analysis of soils and plants; c) Interpret the analysis results.

3. Draw up a fertilization plan suited to the organic production method

I. Soil fertility and plant nutrition and study of the dynamics of plant nutrients in the soil and in the plant. Characterization of physical, chemical and biological soil fertility: physical, chemical and biological processes and reactions inherent to each of the processes.

II. Use of diagnostic methods: Collection of soil and plant material samples and soil and plant material analysis methodologies. Interpretation of results obtained in analytical determinations.

III. Characteristics of fertilizers in general. Fertilizers suitable for organic production. Principles used in general recommendations for fertilization and conversion to organic production. Fertilization plans suited to organic production standards

NAO

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MARSCHNER, H. 1986. Mineral Nutrition in Higher Plants. Academic Press, London.

MENGEL, K., KIRKBY, E., KOSEGARTEN, H. AND APPEL T. 2001. Principles of Plant Nutrition. 5th Ed. International Potash Institute, Berna. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands.

SANTOS, J.Q. 2012. Fertilização – Fundamentos da Utilização dos Adubos e Correctivos. J. Quelhas dos Santos 4ª Ed. Publicações Europa-América.

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VIVANCOS, A. D. 1989. Tratado de Fertilizatión. Ed. Mundi-Prensa.