Applied Soil Fertility
The course will address the relevance of soil fertility including the importance of soil fertility in plant growth and nutrient uptake by crops. The agronomic significance of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties as they pertain to soil fertility will be discussed. Topics will include major nutrients, as well as secondary and micronutrients, and corresponding fertilizers. The course will also examine soil fertility evaluation: soil testing; the backbone of soil fertility and problems soils (acid and saline soils). Soil management challenges including fertilizer application, water use efficiency, interactions amount nutrients, and economics of plant-nutrient use will be addressed.
Course at a glance
- This class has online synchronous lectures.
- Condensed delivery, course offered in five full-day classes of intensive learning.
- Lecture-based, with group work and case study review.
- Aimed at individuals transitioning into the environmental field, as well as mid-level professionals in sectors involving environmental aspects, this course will also be of value to agrologists, biologists, engineers, industrial managers, foresters, technologists, and others who wish to update their skills and knowledge in this area.
- Recognized by the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (AIA) as a senior agrology course related to entrance into the profession and to augment core knowledge requirements related to a practice area.
- This course may be recognized as educational or continuing professional development credits by ECO Canada, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), the Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals (AAFMP), and the Association of Science & Engineering Technology Professionals Of Alberta (ASET).
What you will learn
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Identify and develop familiarity with the basic concepts of plant growth and nutrient uptake.
- Understand how soil fertility is impacted by basic soil constituents, soil clay mineral composition, organic matter, soil physical properties, soil water, soil aeration and temperature, and soil reaction.
- Identify the 4R Nutrient Stewardship principle and how it applies to all aspects of soil fertility in everyday life.
- Understand soil diagnostic techniques and how they apply to soil fertility.
- Develop the skills necessary to identify various nutrient products and their utilization by plants.
- Identify the inputs and outputs of all nutrients in the soil-plant system.
- Assess the economic impact of decisions made in relation to soil fertility.
- Understand the complex relationship between climate, crop genetics, and nutrient supply to growing common crops.
This course has no prerequisites
Students from all educational backgrounds welcome. You can register for this course without applying and enrolling in a program.
Take note:
- Recommended textbook: Soil Fertility and Fertilizers, Tisdale et al.
- Assessment includes course work outside of class times; post-course work may be required.
- A final exam will be completed on the last day of class.
Currently counts towards:
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└39-hour elective course
Applicants intending to enrol in a program are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to lock in their course requirements since they are prone to change.
*If you are already enroled in this program, please refer to your specific program requirements as outlined at the time of your admission: Bear Tracks > Academic Advisement.
When will this course be offered?
New course schedules are released each June and November.
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