Course code LauZ6115

Credit points 7.50

Soil and Plant Analysis

Total Hours in Course200

Number of hours for lectures24

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes56

Independent study hours120

Date of course confirmation23.04.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Soil and Plant Science

Course developers

author Augsnes un augu zinātņu institūts

Ilze Vircava

Dr. geol.

author Augsnes un augu zinātņu institūts

Laila Dubova

Ph.D.

Prior knowledge

LauZ5131, Fertilizers and Fertilization Systems

LauZ6066, Agricultural Biology

Course abstract

In the study course Soil and plant analysis, master's students theoretically and practically learn various methods of soil and plant analysis, the scope and meaning of their use, and the use of the obtained data. The details of obtaining and preparing plant and soil samples. In the study course, students will get acquainted with various groups of methods and the equipment used. Quantification of element concentration in analysed solutions. Gravimetry, volumetrics. Optical analysis methods. Emission spectral analysis. Potentimetric analysis methods. X-ray diffraction analysis. Chromatography. Instrumental methods and laboratory equipment. Analysis of errors and measures to prevent them.

The aim of the study course is to learn the methods and equipment for studying the chemical composition of soil and plants and the interpretation of the obtained results.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Master's students gain in-depth knowledge of soil and plant analysis methods, their theoretical basis, and conditions for selecting methods. Master's students know how to plan the need for analyses, choose the appropriate methods, and interpret the obtained results. As a result, the master's student is competent in the field of soil and plant analysis, to advise specialists of other industries and potential clients of analyses.
Students' knowledge is assessed on a 10-point scale based on their involvement in seminars and tests.

Course Content(Calendar)

Soil
1. Methods of collecting, storing and preparing soil samples. (1 h lecture in field conditions, 1 h practical works).
2. Soil classification and its importance in defining soil properties. (4 h of practical work in field conditions).
3. Analyzes of soil chemical and physical parameters, their importance in defining soil fertility. (1h lecture, 1h practical work).
4. Independent work in the laboratory to strengthen the soil analysis methods learned in the previous study stages. (28 h independent work).
5. Methods of determining soil granulometric composition and hydrophysical properties. (1 h of lectures, 4 h of practical work).
6. Methods of determination of plant nutrients in the soil. (2 h lectures, 6 h practical work.)
7. Soil carbon determination methods. (1 h of lectures, 4 h of practical work).
8. Evaluation of learned methods. (1 h lecture. 8 h independent work).
9. Mineral composition of the soil and its research methods. (2 h lectures).
10. X-ray powder diffraction method and its use in determining the mineral composition of soil. (1 h lecture).
11. Possibilities of using X-ray powder diffraction in soil science, literature analysis. (10 h independent work).
12. Specificity and significance of sample preparation in X-ray powder diffraction analysis. (4 h independent work).
13. Preparation of samples for determining the mineral composition of the soil using the X-ray powder diffraction method. (2 h of practical work).
14. Identification of minerals using the method of relative intensities. (1h lecture, 4h independent work).
15. Determination of the mineral composition of the soil - identification of minerals. (2 h practical work).
16. Methods of quantitative analysis of soil mineral composition using X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Rietveld method. (1 h lecture, 1 h practical work).
17. Basic principles of X-ray quantitative analysis and data interpretation errors. (6 h independent work).
18. Quantitative analysis of soil mineral composition. (2 h of practical work).
19. Interpretation of XRD data. (Seminar 2h)

Plants
20. Purpose of plant analysis. Classification of analytical methods, justification of choice. (2 h of lectures, 1 h of practical work).
21. Obtaining and preparing the sample to be analysed. (1 hour of lecture, 3 hours of practical work).
22. Microscopy methods. Preparation of plant material for microscopy. Light microscopy (1 h lecture, 4 h practical work).
23. Sample preparation and work with the scanning electron microscope (2 h lecture, 4 h practical work).
24. Optical analysis methods. Characterization of the biochemical composition of plants by the photoradiometric method. (3 hours of lectures, 4 hours of practical work).
25. Characterization of the biochemical composition of plants by spectrophotometry and chlorophyll fluorescence methods. (1 h lecture, 4 h practical work).
26. Interpretation of the results of methods for evaluating the biochemical composition of plants. (1h lecture, 3h practical work).
27. Chromatography methods (1 h lecture, 3 h practical works).
28. Seminar – Selection and justification of plant analysis method (2 h).
29. Comparison and evaluation of results obtained by microscopy methods. (15 h independent work).
30. Calculation, assessment and evaluation of the physiological state of plants obtained by the photoradiometry method. (20 h independent work).
31. Calculation of chlorophyll and photosynthesis intensity results and comparison of methods. (15 h independent work).

32. Justification of the methods chosen for the assessment of the biochemical composition of plants. (10 h independent work).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Completed and successfully defended practical works, and participated in seminars.

Final exam (cumulative knowledge test), the grade of which is made up of the average rating from the ratings obtained in the plant and soil sections.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The students' independent work is related to the processing of the experimental data obtained in the practical works and the explanation of the results. Master's students study the literature relevant to the topic and their scientific work.

The student must have successfully completed tests and seminars at the end of individual topics. In the soil analysis and methods part, 2 seminars and 2 tests. In the part of plant analysis and methods, 1 seminar and 1 test. By successfully passing the tests and defending the seminars, the final grade results from the cumulative assessment of all parts. The exam, which includes all topics covered in the study course, must be taken at the end of the study course if one or more failing grades have been received within the study course.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The evaluation of final grade consists of midterm and final test results and evaluation of the results of the practical work.

Compulsory reading

1. Jansons E., Meija J. (2002). Kļūdas kvantitatīvajās noteikšanās. Rīga. 155 lpp.
2. Miller J. C., Miller J. N. (1992) Statistics for analytical chemistry. New York, London, Toronto, Ellis Horwood. 227 p.

Further reading

1. Soil Testing and Plant Analysis (1990). Ed. by R. L. Westerman. Madison: SSSA. 784 p.

2. Handbook of reference methods for plant analysis. Ed. by Yash P. Kalra. 0 1998 by Taylor & Francis Group. 285 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Atbilstoša profila zinātnisko rakstu krājumi un žurnāli.

2. Materiāli E-studiju vietnē.

Notes

Restricted elective (Part B) Master study program, specialization – Field crops and Horticulture.