Welcome to soil Genesis and Soil Classification and Suitability

 Aims: To provide students with knowledge of soil formation and classification characteristics (properties) and in relation to its productivity and management. 

Content:  Soil genesis and Classification.

 

Welcome to Soil Biology and Chemistry Module in Year Two soil Sciences department.

General introduction

7.1. Brief description of aims and content (not more than five lines)

Aims: To provide students with knowledge of soil biology and chemistry characteristics (properties)   in relation to its productivity and management. 

Content:  Soil biology and Chemistry

 

7.2. Learning Outcomes 

A. Knowledge and understanding (Cognitive learning)

     At the end of this module, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of biological and chemical   properties of soils;
2. Acquire basic knowledge of soil characteristics, processes  of dtermination  soil biology and chemistry parameters

B. Cognitive skills/ Intellectual skills/Application of knowledge

    At the end of this module, the student should be able to:   

1. Exhibit scientific skills on how soil biology and chemistry characteristis  interact to determine the soil technological properties and productivity;
2. Demonstrate competence on how to modify soil properties for improved productivity, conservation and reclamation.

C. Communication/ICT/Numeracy/Analytic Techniques/Practical Skills

    At the end of this module, the student should be able to:

1. Develop ability to measure, record, analyse and report on soil biological and chemical  properties and phenomena;
2. Communicate effectively with professional colleagues on soil properties and phenomena.

D. General transferable skills

    At the end of this module, the student should be able to:

1. Diagnose/ predict impact of soil biogical and chemical properties behaviour on land productivity and capability;
2. Advice farmers on impact of soil properties on land productivity and propose simple solutions for amelioration.

 

  

8. Indicative content

 

Component: Soil Biology

Soil environment: Soil formation, Soil-forming factors: Parent material, Climate, Topography, Time, Human influences, soil properties: Soil texture and structure, Soil organic matter, Soil water and Soil pH, Conclusions

The diversity of life in soil:  the soil biota (Fauna, flora, the primary consumers, Secondary and higher-level consumers), Patterns of soil biodiversity:  Global patterns of soil biodiversity, Landscape patterns of soil biodiversity, Local patterns of soil biodiversity) and Temporal patterns of soil biodiversity, etc C

Soil Organic matter: Definition of some terms .Some physical properties of organic layers Components of soil organic matter; humic substances and their principal functional groups; chelates and siderophores. Nonhumic Substances (NHS) versus Humic Substances. Some chemical properties of soil organic matter; CEC; C and N conc., nutrient ratios; significance of C/N ratio. Organic horizons in soils. Forest humus forms: morphology, development, classification, and significance.  Method for estimating soil organic matter in soil:  Dry combustion (Ignition) and wet combustion ( Walkey & Black, and its modification), Importance in soils, beneficial and detrimental effects. Effect of management practices on organic matte. concepts and interactions of Soil organism: Introduction, Mechanisms That Drive Community Structure : Physiological Limits, Intra- Inter-specific Competition, Direct-Indirect- Effects of Exploitation, Dispersal in Space and Time , Predicting Population Growth, Mutualisms. .Interactions of soil microbes with plant roots: rhizosphere; N-fixing root nodule symbioses; The role of mycorrhizal fungi in plant nutrient supply. Influence of animal–microbial interactions on nutrient availability. Microbial physiology in the soil environment: physico-chemical environment, nutrition, energy and metabolism, growth and reproduction. Biochemical transformations of N, S, and P in soils:  Soil microorganism, Microbial control of soil nutrient availability, Nitrogen mineralization, Nitrogen fixation,  Microbial phosphorus mineralization, etc. Physiological and Biochemical Methods for Studying Soil Biota and Their Function: Scale of Investigations and soil Sampling. Microbial Biomass: Chloroform Fumigation Incubation and Extraction Methods, etc. Microbial ecology   ( or impact of microbial on environment):  Biodegradation and bioremediation ,etc. Composting system

Component: Soil Chemistry

Overview on geology, mineralogy & pedology aspects: Earth structure & composition. Materials of the earth crust: major minerals, major rock. Rock weathering and soil formation: mechanical disintegration, chemical weathering (hydration, hydrolysis, oxidation, carbonation, dissolution, etc.) & results of weathering process. Factors that affect rock weathering and soil formation process: parent material, climate, organisms, topography, time.  Rapid outline on soil profile and major horizons. Rapid outline on soil classification

Mineral soil colloids: proprieties and types : Introduction, Proprieties of mineral colloids, and Types of soil colloids

Structure of silicate clays : Silicon tetrahedral and Aluminium/Magnesium octahedral sheets , Isomorphous substitution and Source of charges in silicate clays

 Mineralogical organization of silicate clays : Main mineralogical groups of crystalline clays - 1:1 type (e.g. Kaolinite, halloysite, etc.) and 2:1 type (e.g. smectites, vermiculites, micas, chlorites, etc.).

Structural characteristics of nonsilicate colloids : Structure of Iron and Aluminiu Oxides and Humus structure

 Sources of charges on soil colloid : Constant charges on silicate clays, Chemical composition and charges and pH-dependent charges

Cation and anion exchange reactions : Adsorption and exchange of cations, Adsorption and exchange of anions and Cation activity in clay minerals

Overview on soil organic matter : Process of SOM decomposition, Humic fraction in soils, Nonhumic organic substances, SOM and soil fertility and Organic and organo-mineral complexes

Oxide-reduction reactions in soils: Oxidation and reduction of soil materials and Oxidation and reduction in pedogenetic process

 Acidity in soil materials: The process of soil acidification, Role of aluminum in soil acidity, Buffering and determination of soil pH and Neutralization of soil acidity: use of lime, soil organic matter, lime requirements, calcareous soils. Outline on aluminum chemistry

Salinity and alkalinity of soils: Source minerals salts, Reclamation and management of saline soils

Outline on metallic trace elements in soils: Source MTE/micronutrients, Equilibrium in TE and Behavior of major TE in soils

 

 

 

9. Learning and Teaching Strategy

     - Lectures

     - laboratory work

     - Seminars

     - Assignments

     - Directed exercises

     - Field visit

 

10. Assessment strategy

     - Field and laboratory reports/seminars

     - Individual/Group assignments

     - Written assay

     - Attendance

 

11. Assessment pattern

Component	Weighting (%)	Learning objectives covered
In course assessment:		Theoritical principle Working groups skills Lab manipulation Presentation skills   Overall skills on the module
- First examination	30
- Group assignment	5
- Lab work	10
- Presentation	5
Final assessment:
- Second examination	50
Total	100

 

12. Strategy for feedback and student support during module

       - Class correction of assessed work

       - Weekly sample questionnaire on selected subjects

       - Individual consultation on appointment 

 

13. Indicative resources

 

Core text (include number in library or URL) (ISBN)

Summarized and non-summarized hand out will be distributed to the students at the beginning and during the module

 

Background texts (include number in library or URL) (ISBN)

1. Jury W.A., Gardner and Gardner (1991). Soil Physics. John Wiley.
2. Marshall, T.J., J.W. Holmes, C.W. Rose (1996). Soil Physics; 3rd ed;
3.  Hillel, Daniel (2004). Introduction to Environmental Soil Physics. Dewey publisher.
4. Chardra S Natiyal and P, Dion. ( 2007). Springer. 1030., Avenue Laval, CANADA
5. Dipik,S. And Abhijit, H Haldar (2005). ICAR. West Bengal, India.

 

Journals

 

Key websites and on-line resources

 

 

Teaching/Technical assistance

 -Tutorial assistants (4); laboratory technicians (3)

 

  Laboratory space and equipment

-          3m²/one student;

-          Laboratory available was designed for 50 students only

-          Equipment to be renew and completed, particularly for soil water studies.

 

  Computer requirements

   - 1/5 students

      

14. Teaching team

Dr. Hamudu RUKANGANTAMBARA, Senior Lecturer

Dr. Nyagatare Guillaume

Dr. Turamyenyirijuru Adrien 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIT APPROVAL

Deans and Heads of all Departments contributing to the programme to confirm agreement.

 

Department	Dean/Head of Department	Date
1	Signature
	Print Name
2	Signature
	Print Name
3	Signature
	Print Name
4	Signature
	Print Name

 

Seen and agreed

Library	Signature
	Print Name
ICT	Signature
	Print Name
Quality Office	Signature
	Print Name

 

 

The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge of soil physical characteristics (properties) and physical phenomena in the soil in relation to its productivity and management, and hand-on skills on soil physical properties analysis and long term management climate-smart solutions.