207-152 Soil Management

The management of plants depends on a thorough knowledge and understanding of the way in which soil properties can influence plant growth. This subject aims to provide:

• background information on the chemistry basic to an understanding of soil and plant relationships including the nature of matter, atoms, molecules and bonding, stoichiometry and the chemistry of water; and

• an introduction to plant/soil relationships and the ways in which soils can be manipulated to influence and improve plant growth. It will describe the ways in which soil properties (physical, chemical and biological) can affect plant growth. It will describe the ways in which soils can be managed to maintain their productivity.

One 2-hour written examination worth 40% of final marks, one 1-hour written test worth 20% of final marks, assignments and practical reports equivalent to 2500 words and worth 40% of final marks each.