Course code LauZ5131

Credit points 4.50

Fertilizers and Fertilization Systems

Total Hours in Course120

Number of hours for lectures16

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32

Independent study hours72

Date of course confirmation21.04.2021

Responsible UnitInstitute of Soil and Plant Science

Course developer

author Augsnes un augu zinātņu institūts

Aldis Kārkliņš

Dr. habil. agr.

Replaced course

LauZM001 [GLAUM001] Fertilizers and Fertilization Systems

Course abstract

Raw materials for the production of commercial fertilizers, their characterization and resources. Technology of production, economic and ecological aspects. Trends in the production and use of commercial fertilizers. Characterization and use of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrient and multinutrient fertilizers. Organic fertilizers, production, handling and use. Technology of fertilizer handling and use, agronomic, economic and ecological aspects. Segments of fertilization system, their optimization. Specifics of fertilizer use for field crops, horticultural crops, in greenhouses.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Students will get an extended knowledge about fertilizers, its use and fertilizer planning. Students will obtain skills how to adjust the fertilizer practice according to crops’ biology and growing technologies. Students will understand the importance of agronomical and meteorological factors on plant nutrition. As a result student will be competent to manage agronomical issues of fertilizer planning, to work as an advisor, to carry out research as well as to analyse and prepare scientific publications.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Introduction. Mineral nutrition of higher plants. (Lectures – 2 h, Practicals – 1 h).
2. Fertilizers – general information, classification. (Lectures – 2 h, Practicals – 1 h).
3. Nitrogen fertilizers. (Lectures – 2 h, Practicals – 1 h).
4. Phosphorous fertilizers. (Lectures – 2 h, Practicals – 1 h).
5. Seminar. (3 h).
6. Potassium fertilizers. (Lectures – 2 h, Practicals – 1 h).
7. Magnesium, sulphur, iron and micronutrients. (Lectures – 2 h, Practicals – 1 h).
8. Multinutrient fertilizers. (Lectures – 2 h, Practicals – 1 h).
9. Technology of fertilizer use. (Lectures – 2 h, Practicals – 1 h).
10. Seminar. (3 h).
11. Organic fertilizers. (Lectures – 2 h, Practicals – 1 h).
12. Fertilization system. (Lectures – 2 h, Practicals – 1 h).
13. Seminar. (3 h).
14. Examination – practicals. (3 h).
15. Workshop – presentation of individual studies. (3 h).

16. Workshop – presentation of individual studies. (3 h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

During semester – home work, seminar, tests. Individual work and presentation. Cumulative grade (tests, seminar, individual work, presentation, activity score).

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Home work
1. Calculations, related to the certain topic.
2. To do the individual presentation for selected topic – seminar with discussion part.

Individual studies, preparation of written report, oral presentation.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Cumulative exam, includes assessment of three tests, seminar, individual studies with oral presentation and activity score.

Average score: [(Test No. 1 + Test No. 2. + Presentation) : 3] ± 0.5 = Final grade.

Compulsory reading

1. Black C. A. (1993). Soil fertility evaluation and control. Lewis Publishers. 746 p.
2. Fertilizer technology and soil fertility / Ed by Virginia Munn. New York: Larsen and Keller, 2018. 206 p.
3. Soil fertility: role of fertilizers for plant nutrition and growth / Ed. by: Eugene Perry. Forest Hills, NY : Callisto Reference, 2018. – 231 p.
4. Soil fertility and fertilizers : an introduction to nutrient management / John L. Havlin, et al. 8th ed. Upper Sadle River, New Jersey : Pearson, 2013. – 516 p.
5. Handbook of Soil Fertility / Ed by. Donald Cronin. Forest Hills, NY : Callisto Reference, 2018. – 220 p.
6. Tisdale S. L., Nelson W. L. (1993). Soil fertility and fertilizers (5th ed). MacMillan Publ. Company. 634 p.
7. Laegreid M., Bockman O.C., Kaarstad O. (1999). Agriculture and Fertilizers and Environment. Oslo: Norsk Hydro a. s. 294 p.
8. Marschner H. (1995). Mineral nutrition of higher plants. – 2nd ed. London, San Diego, New York, ......: Academic Press. 889 p.
9. Kārkliņš A. (2012). Zeme, augsne, mēslojums: Terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca. Jelgava: LLU. 477 lpp.
10. Kārkliņš A., Līpenīte I. (2018). Aprēķinu metodes un normatīvi augsnes iekultivēšanai un mēslošanas līdzekļu lietošanai. Jelgava: LLU. 200 lpp.
11. Augu minerālā barošanās. No: Ieviņš Ģ. (2016). Augu fizioloģija. Funkcijas un mijiedarbība ar vidi. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds. 207. – 244. lpp. (608 lpp.).

12. Roy R.N., Finck A., Blair G.J., Tandon H.L.S. (2006). Plant Nutrition for Food Security: A guide for integrated nutrient management. Rome: FAO. 249 p. http://betuco.be/compost/Plant%20Nutrition%20-%20guide%20for%20integrated%20nutrient%20management%20FAO.pdf

Further reading

1. Harold F. Reetz, Jr (2016). Fertilizers and their Efficient Use. IFA, Paris. 110 p. https://www.fertilizer.org//images/Library_Downloads/2016_ifa_reetz.pdf
2. Understanding nitrogen and its use in agriculture (s.a.). Brussels: European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association. 66 p. https://www.magia-metachemica.net/uploads/1/0/6/2/10624795/nitrogen_in_agriculture.pdf
3. Understanding phosphorus and its use in agriculture (s.a.). Brussels: European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association. 38 p. http://www.fertilizerseurope.com/fileadmin/user_upload/publications/agriculture_publications/EFMA_Phosphorus_booklet__2_.pdf
4. Understanding potassium and its use in agriculture (s.a.). Ed. by A.E. Johnston. Brussels: European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association. 42 p. https://www.pda.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/EFMA_Potassium_booklet_2003.pdf
5. Минеев В.Г. (2006). Агрохимия. Москва: Наука: Изд-во Московского университета. 718 с.

6. Агрохимия (2002). Под. ред. Б.А. Ягодина. Москва: Колос. 583 с.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Mēslošanas līdzekļu kolekcijas.
2. Tematiskās planšetes.
3. Informācija katedras vitrīnās.
4. Materiāli E-studiju vietnē.

5. Zinātniskās publikācijas, INTERNET resursi.

Notes

Compulsory (Part A) Master study program, specialization – Field crops and Horticulture.