Course overview
This course aims to provide students with comprehensive knowledge of the influence of mineral nutrients on plant productivity and the skills to diagnose nutrient availability status. The course examines key factors that determine the availability of mineral nutrients in soil, their uptake and use by plants, the interaction of mineral nutrients with biotic and abiotic stresses in plants, and the role of plant mineral nutrition in human health. Students learn about the diagnosis of soil nutrient availability and plant nutrient stress, building their understanding and ability to use soil and plant analyses to effectively manage nutrients in agricultural production systems.
- Soil fertility, nutrient availability & fertiliser management
- Nutrient uptake, stress & diagnosis
- Roles & management of nutrients
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the important processes that influence nutrient availability, and how mineral nutrients are taken up, transported and assimilated by plants.
- Discuss the role of mineral nutrients in the production and quality of horticultural and broad-acre crops and how mineral nutrients can impact interactions of plants with important abiotic and biotic stresses.
- Apply knowledge and skills in soil and plant analyses by sampling soil and plant tissue for routine analysis; critically interpreting the results of nutrient analysis; and; diagnosing the nutrient status of plants.
- Develop and effectively communicate recommendations for the management of nutrients in agricultural systems, including the fertiliser formulation appropriate to ensure soil nutrient availability.
Degree list
The following degrees include this course