208-320 Fertiliser Management

202-201 Plant Function, 202-203 Soil and Water Resources

The objectives of this subject are to provide specialist knowledge on the fertiliser and soil ameliorant industries in Australia, and on systems of recommending and applying fertilisers to crops (grain, horticultural and vegetable) and pastures. This unit is designed specifically for students considering a career as an extension and/or research agronomist.

Subject content includes:

• factors affecting availability of macro- and micro-nutrients from soil and fertiliser; major nutrient and carbon cycles; role of major nutrients in plant and farm animal growth, with specific reference to grain, horticulture and vegetable crops and pasture-based livestock production;

• overview of the Australian fertiliser and soil ameliorant industries; chemical fertiliser production and distribution; alternative fertilisers - biosolids, green manures, mineral fertilisers, other organic fertilisers; types and forms of fertilisers; physical and chemical characteristics and standards of fertilisers and soil ameliorants;

• interpretation of plant nutrient status including visual assessment and soil and foliar analysis; prediction of fertiliser responses using a range of systems including response curves, yield targets, nutrient mass balance and other predictive models; economics of fertiliser use;

• factors affecting availability of macro- and micro-nutrients from soil and fertiliser; major nutrient and carbon cycles; role of major nutrients in plant and farm animal growth, with specific reference to grain, horticulture and vegetable crops and pasture-based livestock production;

• fertiliser application technologies for different forms and types of fertilisers; fertiliser mixtures and compatibilities; site specific application; time of application; risks and problems in fertiliser use and application systems; and

• environmental issues in fertiliser use; high or low input systems; nutrient transfer and off-site effects; interactions between plant nutrition and protection, sustainability issues associated with fertiliser use including soil acidification, structural decline, organic matter decline.

One 3-hour examination (60%), two assignments equivalent to 3000 words (20% each).

• J S Glenndinning, Australian Soil Fertility Manual. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, 2000.