791-214 Soil And Water Resource Conservation

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Objectives:

The objective of this subject is to develop the students':

• knowledge and understanding of the physical, chemical and biological interactions of soils, water and the environment;

• understanding of the effects of management practices on soil productivity and provide a framework for the evaluation of soils for various purposes;

• capacity for a systematic approach to problem solving and evaluations of new techniques, practices and technologies applied to soil and water management;

• practical skills in analysing soils and water interpreting soil and water analysis data.

Content:

Soil classification - Soils of Victoria, Soil Classification by Great Soil Group, Northcote and Isbell methods. Clay mineral structure and properties - Crystal structure of silicate minerals, isomorphous replacement and clay charge, pH dependent and pH independent charge, exchangeable cations, double layer theory. Structure and Structural Stability - Models of soil structure and structural stability, characterisation of unstable soils, physical, chemical and biotic aspects, prediction of instability, mechanisms of breakdown, management of unstable soils for plant production, modification of soil structure for engineering purposes, assessment of changes in structure, evaluation of farming practices. Soil Water Relations - Moisture content and energy relationships, hydraulic conductivity, interaction with structure, applications to evaporation, drainage, salinity problems, methods of irrigation, measurement of moisture content, potential, watertables. Nutrient Relations - Concept of availability of a nutrient; dynamic interaction of forms of nutrient element, estimations of availability and interpretation of test results, acid soil problems, causes and solutions, interaction of fertilisers and soil, alternatives to fertiliser use, heat relations and temperature modification, thermal properties of soils, influence of moisture content, mulching for temperature control, frost control. Moisture Conservation - Interaction of treatments and practices with microclimate, soil fauna and flora.

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