Fertilisers

Subject

The course syllabus is:

• The processes of uptake, transport and metabolism of nutrients
• Soil analysis, leaf analysis and macroscopic examination of the symptoms as means of diagnosing nutrient deficiency or excess. Knowledge of the above can increase fertilizer efficiency, crop yields, improve the quality of agricultural products by reducing the risks of soil and water pollution of the agro-system

The subject of Plant Nutrition concerns the whole plant production. The knowledge of the plant nutrition needs, the fertilizer application principles, the fertilization season, the transfer of the fertilizers to the soil, the loss of the fertilizer, the methods and the doses of the nutrients lead to good plant nutrition practices, producing quality agricultural products

Educational Aims

The course provides basic knowledge on nutrition and fertilization of cultivated crops as well as the processes of intake, transport and metabolization of nutrients in plants.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Gather knowledge that involves a critical understanding of theories and principles such as nutrition, nutrient intake and metabolism processes in plants, nutrient deficiencies, impact on the quality of agricultural products and the environment.
• Gather knowledge and enrich them by using advanced science textbooks, including perspectives emerging from modern advances at the cutting edge of the cognitive subject of plant nutrition.
• Collect and interpret data, within the cognitive field of Plant Nutrition and formulate judgement on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues relating to agricultural production.
• Developed knowledge-based skills to continue further studying with a high degree of autonomy.
• Assess the basic Plant Nutrition needs and apply good agricultural practices in the context of sustainable agricultural production.
• Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both qualified and non-specialized audiences and to work with fellow students to present a plan for proper plant nutrition of one or more crops.

Student Evaluation

Student’s evaluation is mainly based on the final written exams performance given at the end of the semester (70%). The final exams contain Short Response Questions or Multiple-Choice questions. Solving problems related to plant nutrition and fertilizers. Comparative evaluation of the theory.

Presentation of teamwork (30%). Delivering written works and public -presentation by Working Groups.

Bibliography

1. Ιωάννης Θέριος (1996), Ανόργανη θρέψη και λιπάσματα. Εκδόσεις: ΓΑΡΤΑΓΑΝΗΣ ΑΓΙΣ-ΣΑΒΒΑΣ, ISBN: 960-88706-2-3, (in Greek). Κωδικός Βιβλίου στον Εύδοξο: 3558
2. Στυλιανίδης Δ.Κ., Σιμώνης Ασ. Δ., Συργιαννίδης Γ. Δ., (2002), Θρέψη, λίπανση φυλλοβόλων οπωροφόρων δέντρων. Εκδόσεις: ΣΤΑΜΟΥΛΗ Α.Ε., ISBN: 978-960-351-377-6 (in Greek). Κωδικός Βιβλίου στον Εύδοξο: 22850