Welcome to soil Genesis and Soil Classification and Suitability
Aims: To provide students with knowledge of soil formation and classification characteristics (properties) and in relation to its productivity and management.
Content: Soil genesis and Classification.
Welcome to Soil Biology and Chemistry Module in Year Two soil Sciences department.
7.1. Brief description of aims and content (not more than five lines)
Aims: To provide students with knowledge of soil biology and chemistry characteristics (properties) in relation to its productivity and management.
Content: Soil biology and Chemistry
7.2. Learning Outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding (Cognitive learning)
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of biological and chemical properties of soils;
- Acquire basic knowledge of soil characteristics, processes of dtermination soil biology and chemistry parameters
B. Cognitive skills/ Intellectual skills/Application of knowledge
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
- Exhibit scientific skills on how soil biology and chemistry characteristis interact to determine the soil technological properties and productivity;
- Demonstrate competence on how to modify soil properties for improved productivity, conservation and reclamation.
C. Communication/ICT/Numeracy/Analytic Techniques/Practical Skills
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
- Develop ability to measure, record, analyse and report on soil biological and chemical properties and phenomena;
- Communicate effectively with professional colleagues on soil properties and phenomena.
D. General transferable skills
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
- Diagnose/ predict impact of soil biogical and chemical properties behaviour on land productivity and capability;
- Advice farmers on impact of soil properties on land productivity and propose simple solutions for amelioration.
8. Indicative content
Component: Soil Biology
Soil environment: Soil formation, Soil-forming factors: Parent material, Climate, Topography, Time, Human influences, soil properties: Soil texture and structure, Soil organic matter, Soil water and Soil pH, Conclusions
The diversity of life in soil: the soil biota (Fauna, flora, the primary consumers, Secondary and higher-level consumers), Patterns of soil biodiversity: Global patterns of soil biodiversity, Landscape patterns of soil biodiversity, Local patterns of soil biodiversity) and Temporal patterns of soil biodiversity, etc C
Soil Organic matter: Definition of some terms .Some physical properties of organic layers Components of soil organic matter; humic substances and their principal functional groups; chelates and siderophores. Nonhumic Substances (NHS) versus Humic Substances. Some chemical properties of soil organic matter; CEC; C and N conc., nutrient ratios; significance of C/N ratio. Organic horizons in soils. Forest humus forms: morphology, development, classification, and significance. Method for estimating soil organic matter in soil: Dry combustion (Ignition) and wet combustion ( Walkey & Black, and its modification), Importance in soils, beneficial and detrimental effects. Effect of management practices on organic matte. concepts and interactions of Soil organism: Introduction, Mechanisms That Drive Community Structure : Physiological Limits, Intra- Inter-specific Competition, Direct-Indirect- Effects of Exploitation, Dispersal in Space and Time , Predicting Population Growth, Mutualisms. .Interactions of soil microbes with plant roots: rhizosphere; N-fixing root nodule symbioses; The role of mycorrhizal fungi in plant nutrient supply. Influence of animal–microbial interactions on nutrient availability. Microbial physiology in the soil environment: physico-chemical environment, nutrition, energy and metabolism, growth and reproduction. Biochemical transformations of N, S, and P in soils: Soil microorganism, Microbial control of soil nutrient availability, Nitrogen mineralization, Nitrogen fixation, Microbial phosphorus mineralization, etc. Physiological and Biochemical Methods for Studying Soil Biota and Their Function: Scale of Investigations and soil Sampling. Microbial Biomass: Chloroform Fumigation Incubation and Extraction Methods, etc. Microbial ecology ( or impact of microbial on environment): Biodegradation and bioremediation ,etc. Composting system
Component: Soil Chemistry
Overview on geology, mineralogy & pedology aspects: Earth structure & composition. Materials of the earth crust: major minerals, major rock. Rock weathering and soil formation: mechanical disintegration, chemical weathering (hydration, hydrolysis, oxidation, carbonation, dissolution, etc.) & results of weathering process. Factors that affect rock weathering and soil formation process: parent material, climate, organisms, topography, time. Rapid outline on soil profile and major horizons. Rapid outline on soil classification
Mineral soil colloids: proprieties and types : Introduction, Proprieties of mineral colloids, and Types of soil colloids
Structure of silicate clays : Silicon tetrahedral and Aluminium/Magnesium octahedral sheets , Isomorphous substitution and Source of charges in silicate clays
Mineralogical organization of silicate clays : Main mineralogical groups of crystalline clays - 1:1 type (e.g. Kaolinite, halloysite, etc.) and 2:1 type (e.g. smectites, vermiculites, micas, chlorites, etc.).
Structural characteristics of nonsilicate colloids : Structure of Iron and Aluminiu Oxides and Humus structure
Sources of charges on soil colloid : Constant charges on silicate clays, Chemical composition and charges and pH-dependent charges
Cation and anion exchange reactions : Adsorption and exchange of cations, Adsorption and exchange of anions and Cation activity in clay minerals
Overview on soil organic matter : Process of SOM decomposition, Humic fraction in soils, Nonhumic organic substances, SOM and soil fertility and Organic and organo-mineral complexes
Oxide-reduction reactions in soils: Oxidation and reduction of soil materials and Oxidation and reduction in pedogenetic process
Acidity in soil materials: The process of soil acidification, Role of aluminum in soil acidity, Buffering and determination of soil pH and Neutralization of soil acidity: use of lime, soil organic matter, lime requirements, calcareous soils. Outline on aluminum chemistry
Salinity and alkalinity of soils: Source minerals salts, Reclamation and management of saline soils
Outline on metallic trace elements in soils: Source MTE/micronutrients, Equilibrium in TE and Behavior of major TE in soils
9. Learning and Teaching Strategy
- Lectures
- laboratory work
- Seminars
- Assignments
- Directed exercises
- Field visit
10. Assessment strategy
- Field and laboratory reports/seminars
- Individual/Group assignments
- Written assay
- Attendance
11. Assessment pattern
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Component |
Weighting (%) |
Learning objectives covered |
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In course assessment: |
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Theoritical principle Working groups skills Lab manipulation Presentation skills
Overall skills on the module |
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- First examination |
30 |
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- Group assignment |
5 |
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- Lab work |
10 |
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- Presentation |
5 |
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Final assessment: |
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- Second examination |
50 |
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Total |
100 |
12. Strategy for feedback and student support during module
- Class correction of assessed work
- Weekly sample questionnaire on selected subjects
- Individual consultation on appointment
13. Indicative resources
Core text (include number in library or URL) (ISBN)
Summarized and non-summarized hand out will be distributed to the students at the beginning and during the module
Background texts (include number in library or URL) (ISBN)
- Jury W.A., Gardner and Gardner (1991). Soil Physics. John Wiley.
- Marshall, T.J., J.W. Holmes, C.W. Rose (1996). Soil Physics; 3rd ed;
- Hillel, Daniel (2004). Introduction to Environmental Soil Physics. Dewey publisher.
- Chardra S Natiyal and P, Dion. ( 2007). Springer. 1030., Avenue Laval, CANADA
- Dipik,S. And Abhijit, H Haldar (2005). ICAR. West Bengal, India.
Journals
Key websites and on-line resources
Teaching/Technical assistance
-Tutorial assistants (4); laboratory technicians (3)
Laboratory space and equipment
- 3m²/one student;
- Laboratory available was designed for 50 students only
- Equipment to be renew and completed, particularly for soil water studies.
Computer requirements
- 1/5 students
14. Teaching team
Dr. Hamudu RUKANGANTAMBARA, Senior Lecturer
Dr. Nyagatare Guillaume
Dr. Turamyenyirijuru Adrien
UNIT APPROVAL
Deans and Heads of all Departments contributing to the programme to confirm agreement.
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