Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (Volume 4 page 16)
Agriculture subject : Next:619-031 | Prev:212-207 | Search | Help
212-201 "Soil Resources" appears differently in several places - choose the one you want:
1. Agriculture, Faculty of Agric, For & Hort (v4, p16) : Next:619-031 | Prev:212-207
Year 2 Agriculture.
Credit points: 12
Coordinator: Associate Professor L A Douglas
Contact: 36 hours of lectures, 36 hours of field excursions and laboratory based practical classes.
Timetable: First semester
Objectives:
On completion of this subject, students should have an understanding of the nature and causes of soil variablity and methods of grouping soils; a basic knowledge of soil composition and the chemical, biological and physical processes that occur in soils; be able to describe soils in the field and to assess the suitability of a soil as a medium for plant growth on the basis of measured properties; understand the concepts of sustainable land management.
Content:
Soil formation, pedogenesis and soil profile development. Soil structure, bulk density, texture, porosity, organisms and the effect of organic amendments. Soil properties - clay minerals, surface charges, aggregate formation and stability. Soil management - maintenance of soil structure, land management. Soil hydrology - water potential, movement of water. Soil conservation - problems created by salinity, sodicity and erosion. Sustainability of soil-plant systems, with emphais on the role of soil phosphorus, carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and potassium.
Assessment:
Three hours of written examination. Practical tests will be given throughout the semester. Marks may also be given for assignments, projects and practical work.
Prescribed texts:
1. Agriculture, Faculty of Agric, For & Hort (v4, p16) : Next:619-031 | Prev:212-207
2. Agriculture, Faculty of Science (v4, p166) :
Credit points: 12.5
Coordinator: Associate Professor L A Douglas
Prerequisite: Any one of the 100-level subjects for the Geology Major (625 Earth Sciences)
Contact: 72 hours of lectures, field excursions and laboratory based practical classes
Objectives:
By the completion of this subject, students should have:
- an understanding of the nature and causes of soil variability and methods of grouping soils;
- a basic knowledge of soil composition and the chemical, biological and physical processes that occur in soils;
- be able to describe soils in the field and to assess the suitability of a soil as a medium for plant growth on the basis of measured properties;
- understand the concepts of sustainable land management.
Content:
Soil formation, pedogenesis and soil profile development. Soil structure, bulk density, texture, porosity, organisms and the effect of organic amendments. Soil properties - clay minerals, surface charges, aggregate formation and stability. Soil management - maintenance of soil structure, land management. Soil hydrology - water potential, movement of water. Soil conservation - problems created by salinity, sodicity and erosion. Sustainability of soil-plant systems, with emphasis on the role of soil phosphorus, carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and potassium.
Assessment:
Up to three hours of written examination. Practical tests will be given throughout the semester. Marks may also be given for assignments, projects and practical work.
Prescribed texts:
* Note that ASSESSMENT, CONTACT, CONTENT, OBJECTIVES, POINTS, PREREQUISITES, PRESCRIBEDTEXTS differs from the maintainer's version above. A log of variations is available.
2. Agriculture, Faculty of Science (v4, p166) :
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 9 1995 Last modified: Oct 9 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: School of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture.
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.