| CODE | RFS2701 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Soil and Water Management | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Rural Sciences and Food Systems | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit addresses concepts of soil and water management in agronomy with special reference to soil conservation as well as soil pollution and soil health. The unit also includes aspects of good agricultural practice. During the course, the student will understand the main principles of soil erosion and its control. An emphasis on desertification, salinization and soils of arid regions will be discussed with particular reference to soil nutrient management. The student will be able to relate soil water management with special reference to irrigation and land drainage; soil analysis; soil structure and its modification with reference to tillage systems. Study-unit Aims The aim of this study-unit is to extend the science and principles of soil science and basic hydrology to practical aspects. In fact, the study-unit aims at providing an understanding of the natural and man-made changes to environment, leading to soil degradation and erosion. However, this study unit attempts to give a better understanding on how certain conditions may be managed more efficiently to prevent further damage to the soil and water resources. Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Demonstrate knowledge of soil and agricultural water management, 2) Describe and identify soil erosion and tillage practices, 4) Identify the main factors causing soil contamination and deterioration, 5) Describe strategies of soil chemical and bioremediation, 6) Describe factors leading to desertification, 7) Compare different cultivation practices, 8) Compare different irrigation practices, 9) Describe impacts soil mismanagement has on the natural environment, 10) Identify factors that limit agricultural and horticultural production in a given environment. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Give advice to land managers regarding conservation of the soil resource, 2) Examine and interpret soil analysis data, 3) Plan nutrient requirements and nutrient applications in crop production, 4) Design water management systems for irrigation practices, 5) Analyse factors and processes that lead to land and soil degradation, 6) Evaluate the management practices used to reduce soil degradation, 7) Increase productivity in sustainable systems. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings - Rowell, D. L. 1994. Soil Science Methods and Applications Prentice Hall. (Main Library). - Fullen M. A. and J. A. Catt. 2004. Soil Management. Problems and Solutions. Arnold UK. (Main Library). - Morgan, R. P. C. 2005. Soil Erosion and Conservation. Blackwell Publishing. (Main Library). - Davies, B. D., D. J. Eagle and J. B. Finney. 1997. Soil Management. Farming Press. UK. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Study-units: RFS1700 or related study unit | |||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Fieldwork | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Anthony Sacco |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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