JORD212 Soil Analysis

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Åsgeir R. Almås

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Limits of class size:Maximum 16. Check "Note".

Course frequency:Annually.

Nominal workload:125 hours

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in spring parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in spring parallel.

About this course

The subject includes lectures on soil analysis theory and how soil analyses are used as a tool for fertilization and liming planning, as well as for assessing pollution potential. In the laboratory, the following soil analyses are conducted: soil pre-treatment, bulk density determination, dry matter and loss-on-ignition determination, pH analysis, and analysis of easily soluble (plant-available) potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Exercises using DGT will also be conducted to determine the kinetics of phosphorus in soil from field trials with different phosphorus treatments

Learning outcome

Learning outcome:

Knowledge

Evaluate the best strategies for soil sampling and the best methods to be used for a given situation.

Evaluate uncertainties and quality of soil analysis results.

Evaluate soil analysis results as a tool for plant availability and as environmental potential.

Skills

Pre-treat and analyze soil samples for plant-available nutrients and assess the environmental consequences of reactive trace metals and phosphorus

General competense

Argue for the importance of soil analysis for best management fertilization and environmental quality.

  • Learning activities
    The course is given as 50% lectures and 50% laboratory work by guidance of teacher and engineers.
  • Teaching support
    The course teacher is available for questions and discussion in regular office hours as well as on email.
  • Prerequisites
    JORD230 or similar
  • Assessment method

    Combined assessment:

    • Semester thesis (laboratory reports in groups) reports counts 40%.
    • Oral examination counts 60%.

    Both parts needs to be passed to pass the course.

    Grading scale: Passed / Not passed.



    Portfolio Karakterregel: Letter grades
  • Examiner scheme
    The teacher evaluates laboratory reports (group reports). External senor and the teacher evaluate oral examination.
  • Mandatory activity
    Laboratory reports for all exercises have to be approved before the exam. Laboratory reports are group reports.
  • Notes
    Students who want to take the course must apply for admission in Studentweb no later than January 20th. After that, the places in the course will be distributed.
  • Teaching hours
    26 h of lectures and 26 h of laboratory work. Lectures and laboratory work are concentrated to 4 h per day and week.
  • Preferential right
    B-MILJØ, M-MILJØ, B-PV, M-PV
  • Reduction of credits
    5 credits overlap with JORD213.
  • Admission requirements
    Special requirements in Science