SUNY Morrisville

Department of Agricultural Science, Dairy, and Agricultural Business

AGRO 215 - Soil Fertility

Three (3) Credit Hours

Instructor: Dr. Adam Khan

Office: Charlton Hall 208 Office Phone: 684-6577

email address: khana@morrisville.edu

Web page: http://people.morrisville.edu/~khana

 
COURSE SYLLABUS

Required Text Book: 

Recommended Text: 

Supplementary  Reading: 

Course Description: Plant nutrients, soil plant relationship, soil testing and fertilizer management, Nutrient Management, and Agricultural Environmental Management.

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Course Outline:

Section I: Plant Growth and Nutrients

A. Plant Growth

B. Elements Required in Plant Nutrition

Section II: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium

A. Nitrogen

B. Phosphorus

C. Potassium

A. Calcium

B. Magnesium

C. Sulfur

D. Micronutrients

Section IV - Fertilizers

 

Section VI - Soil Plant Relationship

A. Soil Characterization

B. Radiation

C. Water

D. Soil Aeration

E. Exchangeable Bases

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EXAM SCHEDULE:

Will be announced

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GRADE DISTRIBUTION:

Midterm = 25%

Final = 25%

Lab project = 40%

Term paper or lab final or educational activity in Agronomy Club = 10%

 

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GRADE CLASSIFICATION:

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COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The main purpose and philosophy of the course is to acquaint students with the principles underlying soil fertility, soil-plant relationships and soil testing. Course is designed with a special emphasis in practical aspects of soil fertility and testing.

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CLASS REGULATIONS:

  1. Attendance of all lab and lecture sessions is imperative. To discourage class absentia, the following penalties will be strictly followed:
  2. All the handouts distributed in a particular lab or lecture session will not be given to those who miss that session except those who inform the instructor beforehand either verbally, or in writing, or on the telephone.
  3. Participation in class discussion is very important. Asking questions in class will improve your impression and subsequent grade.
  4. Complete silence must be maintained during lectures.
  5. Lab reports will not be accepted after due date.
  6. All the exams will be returned to you after grading within a week. Record your grades in the grade record page. Don't lose your exam papers, they will help you in case of error in final calculation of the grade. If you did not get your exam back in time, ask me.
  7. IF you are not satisfied with the grade, contact me within a week after you receive the grades. However, after one week, no change in grades will be accepted.
  8. If you believe at the end of the semester, that there is an error in the final grading, bring all your exams (hour exams, make-up exams, lab reports, etc.) to my office for reconsideration.
  9. Pursue educational activities in Agronomy Club or submit a term paper on any soil fertility related topic.
  10. No make-up exam will be given to individual students. Make-up for final exam will be considered only in case of serious sickness duly supported by medical certificate.
  11. Educational Activity in the Agronomy Club: If you are an associate member of Agronomy Club, the educational activity will include making a power point presentation at the annual meeting of the club.
  12. Educational Activity in the Agronomy Club: If you are an active member of the club and hold an office in the club, the educational activity will include attending all the meetings.

 

Lab  Project:

Each student or group of students will pursue a research project and then will make a power point presentation on their project at the last session of their class. The lab grades will be granted on the basis of given criteria.

1. Quality of work = 10%

2. Precision of data = 10%

3. Quality of power point = 10%

4. Report = 10%