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. Note! The course is not offered in the spring semester 2026.

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.
Syllabus
Will be announced at Canvas.
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
About use of AI
Oral exam: K1 - No use of AI

Semester thesis: K3 - Full use of AI.
The use of AI is permitted, but it must comply with the Guidelines for Use of Artificial Intelligens (AI) at NMBU.
Mandatory activity: K3 - Full use of AI.
The use of AI is permitted, but it must comply with the Guidelines for Use of Artificial Intelligens (AI) at NMBU.
Descriptions of AI-category codes.
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