GWANDA STATE UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF CROP SCIENCE

BSc Hons Crop Science

Course Outline: LCS 2103 SOIL AND PLANT NUTRITION

1.0 Synopsis

The following topics are covered: Defining soil, Composition and properties of soil, soil
nutrients essential to plant growth and processes involved; soil pH and its effects on nutrient
availability; soil forming factors and processes/biogeochemical cycles involved in making
nutrients available to plants, chemical properties of soil, Soil physical properties, soil water,
soil biota, organic matter; the physiological role of essential plant nutrients; the characteristic
symptoms of plant nutrient deficiencies; soil nutrient replacements for organic and non-
organic farming systems.

1.0 Aims:

The course aims to provide students with information about Basic soil science and how it is
related to plant nutrition, growth and development.

Objectives

At the end of the course students should be able to:

1.1 Define soil and state what it constitutes

1.2 State the composition and properties of soil
1.3 Differentiate between macro and micro nutrients.
1.4 Define soil pH
1.5 Describe the effects of pH on nutrient availability
1.6 Describe nutrient cycles looking at Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Carbon cycle.
1.7 Describe and explain the physiological role of plant nutrients.
1.8 Identify nutrient deficiencies by visual observation.
1.9 Recommend the appropriate nutrients/fertilizer required to solve an observed
nutrient deficiency.

2.0 Content

2.1 Plant nutrients: Types (Macro and micro); how a nutrient is classified as macro or
micro.
2.2 Soil pH – Definition, sources of + or –ve charge. Effects of pH on Plant nutrients

1
 2.3 Physics, Chemistry and Biological processes of soils in relation to various
geographical processes such as weathering.
2.4 Physiological roles of Plant nutrients:
2.5 Plant nutrient deficiency: identification visually, lab tests
2.6 Soil sampling
2.7 Fertilizer recommendations

3.0 Assessment

Continuous Assessment – 30%. (1 assignment, 1 practical, Quizzes, Mock test and

presentations [Group and individual])
Examination 60% (3 hour written exam paper)

4.0 Source books

• Brady, 1990. The nature and properties of soils

• Tisdale SL, Nelson WL, Beaton JD, Havlin JL (1993) Soil fertility and plant nutrition

ASSIGNMENT 1

a) Describe the Physiological effects of Nitrogen deficiency in Maize. (15)

b) Describe the process of soil sampling giving a clear description of tools to be used
and the Dos and Don’ts during soil sampling (10).