CONTENT METHOD OF INSTRUCTION / Time allocated TOOLS / EQUIPMENT NEEDED INTRODUCTION Definitions of soil fertility, productivity and plant nutrients History and status of soil fertility in the world with emphasis to Factors affecting plant growth Interactive lectures (2 hours) Chalk / BB or Markers / Flip charts Plant nutrients: Functions and deficiency/toxicity indicators Plant nutrients forms as taken up by plants classification based on amount required by plants functions to plants deficiency and toxicity indicators Toxic elements to plants available in soil and the condition that lead to their uptake Interactive lectures (5 hours) Field trip to assess nutrient deficiency/toxicity on plants (1.5 hours) Practical: determination of N in plant tissues (1.5 hours Chalk / BB or Markers / Flip charts Computer and project Transport and practical handbook Plant samples, reagents for N analysis, laboratory space Sources of plant Nutrients Nutrient in an agricultural system Organic Vs inorganic sources of plant nutrients Interactive lectures (2 hours) Practical: Determination of N in soil (1.5 hours) Determination of available P (1.5 hours) Determination of cation exchange capacity (1.5 hours) Chalk / BB or Markers / Flip charts Soil samples, reagents for available P and CEC determination, laboratory Nutrient management in soil Nutrient lost from agricultural system How to minimize loss for each nutrient Factors controlling availability of nutrients in soil Nutrient concentrations in soil and ground water in relation to environmental concerns Interactive lectures (4 hours) / BB or Markers / Flip charts Nutrient uptake by plants Mechanisms of nutrient uptake Diffusion Osmosis Factors affecting uptake of nutrients by plants Interactive lectures (3 hours) Chalk / BB or Markers / Flip charts Nutrient cycles Cycles of major plant nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium and magnesium Interactive lectures (2 hours) Chalk / BB or Markers / Flip charts
Essential nutrient for different plants Plant nutrient requirements for each crop with special emphasis to major crops grown in (e.g. banana, maize, millet, beans, groundnuts, cassava, coffee, cotton Lecture (4 hours) Soil organic matter as a sink for soil fertility in Sub Saharan Africa Soil organic matter Sources of soil organic matter to soil Status of organic matter in soil with special emphasis to Nature and composition Effect on soil properties Effect of nutrient supply C:N ratio as a factor in soil organic matter mineralization and nutrient release Interactive lectures (2 hours) Practical Determination of soil organic matter (wet method) (1.5 Chalk / BB or Markers / Flip charts Soil samples and reagents for organic carbon determination Factors controlling soil fertility Interactive lectures (2 hrs) Practical on soil pH in (1.5 hours) Chalk / BB or Markers / Flip charts Processes controlling soil fertility Interactive lectures (2 hrs) Liming practical (1.5 hours) / BB or Markers / Flip charts Composting Composting process Why compost? Factors that affect the process (e.g. C:N ratio, temperature, aeration, microorganisms, pH and moisture content) How you tell mature/ ready compost? Composting in practice Procedure Materials monitoring Interactive Lectures (3 hr) Practical (3 hr) Chalk / BB or Markers / Flip charts 5. SUMMARY OF TIME NEEDED Interactive lectures covering theory 30 hrs Laboratory and field-based practicals 15 hrs 6. OVERALL COURSE EVALUATION Three continuous assessment 20 Six practical reports 20 Final examination 60 Total 100