Soil Management

Frequency of Soil and Fertilization in Organic Production UC

Classes are supported by presentations, professors’ notes, and discussion of case studies.
It is intended that the student verify in practice the importance of research in the field of practices used to improve soil fertility in Organic Farming.
Small working groups (up to 4 students) will be formed to carry out practical work. These groups will have to make a final report and an oral presentation on the practical work carried out.

1. Recognize the fundamental importance of soil study and management.

2. Know soil conservation techniques that increase biodiversity.

3. Know soil tillage techniques that minimize compaction, preserve structure and biodiversity and improve
soil quality

1. Soil conservation techniques as a sustainable natural resource;
2. General principles of biogeochemical cycles of nutrients in soils, importance of biodiversity;
3. Main factors that affect the growth of organic matter content, and the rate of decomposition in soils:
oxygen, nitrogen, humidity, temperature, and the addition and removal of organic materials.
4. Assessment, maintenance and improvement of soil fertility and its quality in general;
5. Environmental impact of different soil tillage techniques in organic agricultural production;
6. Management of soil compaction by controlling the planned traffic of tractors and agricultural machines,
aiming at improving soil fertility;
7. Effects of conventional, simplified and no-tillage on chemical, physical and biological fertility.
8. Land cover management: soil residues; cover crops; organic and plastic screens.
9. Knowing and managing soil biodiversity. Weed identification and control technologies.
10. Biofertilizers in Organic Agriculture and their use.

NAO

COSTA, J. BOTELHO (2004). Caracterização e Constituição do Solo (7ª Edição). Ed. Fundação Calouste
Gulbenkian ISBN: 9789723100730
FERREIRA, JORGE. (2009). As bases da Agricultura Biológica, Edibio. – v. : il. ; 26 cm. – Contém bibliografia. –
Tomo 1: Produção vegetal. – 2009. – (531, VIII p.) – ISBN 978-972-99697-1-3
MENGEL, K., KIRKBY, E., KOSEGARTEN, H. and APPEL T. (2001). Principles of Plant Nutrition. 5th Ed.
International Potash Institute, Berna. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands
MAGDOFF, F. and H. VAN ES. (2009). Building soils for better crops. 3nd edition. Sustainable Agriculture
Publications, Burlington, VT.
MÁRQUEZ, L.(2004) – Maquinaria Agrícola. Blake y Helsey España S.L., Editores, Madrid
VARENNES A. (2003). Produtividade dos Solos e Ambiente. Escolar editora.
Revue “Étude et Gestion des Sols”. Association Française pour l’Étude du Sol.
WEIL, RAY R. AND BRADY, NYLE C.. (2017). The Nature and Properties of Soils, 15th Edition. Pearson Press,
Upper Saddle River NJ, ISBN-13: 978-0-13-325448-8.