Name: AGRICULTURAL DIAGNOSTIC AND CHEMISTRY
Code: 518103004
Type: Elective
ECTS: 6
Length of subject: Per term
Semester and course: Curso 3º - First term
Speciality: Mención en Hortofruticultura y Jardinería Mención en Industrias Agroalimentarias
Language: English
Mode of study: On-site class
Lecturer data: CONESA ALCARAZ, HÉCTOR MIGUEL
Knowledge area: Edafología y Química Agrícola
Department: Ingeniería Agronómica
Telephone: 968327034
Email: hector.conesa@upct.es
Office hours and location:
martes - 09:00 / 11:00
EDIFICIO DE ETSI AGRONÓMICA, planta 1, Despacho 1.30
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jueves - 09:00 / 11:00
EDIFICIO DE ETSI AGRONÓMICA, planta 1, Despacho 1.30
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Tutorials will by carried out by request of the student sending a mail to hector.conesa@upct.es
Qualifications/Degrees:
PhD in PhD from Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (SPAIN) - 2005
Master in Master in Management of Soil Quality and Management from Instituto AMYCA de formación (SPAIN) - 2003
Engineer in Agricultural Engineer from Technical University of Cartagena (SPAIN) - 2001
Academic rank in UPCT: Catedrático de Universidad
Number of five-year periods: 2
Number of six-year periods: 3 de investigación
Curriculum Vitae: Full Profile
Lecturer data: CEACERO MORENO, MATÍAS
Knowledge area: Edafología y Química Agrícola
Department: Ingeniería Agronómica
Telephone:
Email: matias.ceacero@upct.es
Office hours and location:
Qualifications/Degrees:
Master en Conservación, Gestión y Restauración de la biodiversidad en la Universidad de Granada (ESPAÑA) - 2021
Graduate en Ciencias Ambientales en la Universidad de Granada (ESPAÑA) - 2020
Academic rank in UPCT: Investigador Fpi
Number of five-year periods: Not applicable due to the type of teaching figure
Number of six-year periods: No procede por el tipo de figura docente
Curriculum Vitae: Full Profile
Lecturer data: GONZÁLEZ ALCARAZ, MARÍA NAZARET
Knowledge area: Edafología y Química Agrícola
Department: Ingeniería Agronómica
Telephone: 968325411
Email: nazaret.gonzalez@upct.es
Office hours and location:
lunes - 09:00 / 11:00
EDIFICIO DE ETSI AGRONÓMICA, planta 1, Despacho 1.31
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miércoles - 09:00 / 11:00
EDIFICIO DE ETSI AGRONÓMICA, planta 1, Despacho 1.31
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Qualifications/Degrees:
Master in Advanced Techniques in Agricultural and Food Research and Development from Technical University of Cartagena (SPAIN) - 2012
PhD in Advanced Techniques in Agricultural and Food Research and Development from Technical University of Cartagena (SPAIN) - 2012
Graduate in Biology from University of Murcia (SPAIN) - 2006
Academic rank in UPCT: Programa Ramón y Cajal
Number of five-year periods: Not applicable due to the type of teaching figure
Number of six-year periods: No procede por el tipo de figura docente
Curriculum Vitae: Full Profile
[CB2 ]. Students are required to be able to apply their knowledge to their job or vocation in a professional manner, and to possess the skills that are usually demonstrated through the elaboration and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of study.
[TG8 ]. Ability to solve problems with creativity, initiative, methodology and critical reasoning.
[RA10 ]. Ability to learn about, understand and use the principles of technology transfer, and to understand, interpret, communicate and adopt advances in the field of agriculture.
[RA9 ]. Ability to learn about, understand and use the principles of decision making by using the resources available for work in multidisciplinary groups.
It is an opcional subject of the degree which is mandatory for the Mención en Hortofruticultura y Jardinería. The competences of the Módulo de Tecnología Específica de Hortofruticultura y Jardinería (Orden CIN/323/2009 de 9 de febrero) to be acquired are:
HJ1. Capacity for knowing, understanding and using the basics and principles of: Technology of horticultural production. Basics and technology of horticultural, fruit and ornamental propagation and production. Quality control of horticultural products. Merchandising. Plant breeding and genetics.
[T5 ]. Applying knowledge to practice
Atthe end of th subject the students will be able to:
1. To describe the edaphic properties which control the soil fertility in the agrosystems.
2. To explain the biogeochemical cycles of the essential plant nutrients in the agrosystems including the biogeochemical conditions which determine their availability and the maintenance of the agricultural yield under a sustainable management.
3. To describe basic characteristics and concepts of the most employed fertilizers and pesticides.
4. To critically analyse and evaluate the environmental problems related to the employment of agrochemicals in agrosystems.
5. To critically examine and evaluate the methods for agricultural diagnosis in the agrosystems.
6. To interpret and evaluate in the agronomic point of view the results of soil, water and plant analyses in the agrosystems.
Edaphic properties which control soil fertility. Dynamics and biogeochemistry of essential elementsfor plant nutrition in the soil-plant system and in the agrosystems. Classification and characteristics of the most employed fertilizers and pesticides. Basics of agricultural diagnosis, including the interpretation and evaluation of water, soil and plant analysis. Factores edáficos influyentes en la fertilidad del suelo. Dinámica y biogeoquímica de los elementos químicos esenciales para la nutrición vegetal en el sistema suelo-planta y, de modo más general, en los agrosistemas. Clasificación y características de los fertilizantes y fitosaniarios de uso más común en agricultura. Fundamentos del diagnóstico agrícola, incluyendo la interpretación y evaluación agronómica de los resultados de los análisis de aguas, suelos y material vegetal.
I. Introduction to Agricultural Chemistry (Lessons 1-2)
1. Agricultural Chemistry: Concept, backgrounds and perspectives.
2. Edpahic properties and soil fertility.
II. Mineral Nutrients in Agrosystems (Lessons 3-8)
3. Chemical elements and plant life.
4. Macronutrients: Nitrogen.
5. Macronutrients: Phosphorus .
6. Macronutrients: Potassium.
7. Macronutrients: Calcium, magnesium and sulphur.
8. Micronutrients.
III. Agrochemicals: Fertilizers and Pesticides (Lessons 9-11)
9. Fertilizers.
10. Pesticides. General concepts.
11. Environmental aspects of agrochemicals in the agriculture.
IV. Agricultural Diagnosis (Lessons 12-15)
12. Introduction to agricultural diagnosis.
13. Analyses and diagnosis of water irrigation.
14. Analyses and diagnosis of agricultural soils.
15. Analyses and diagnosis of plants.
Practice of the subject 1- Lab practices 2- Individual/Cooperative Reports
Promoting the continuous improvement of working and study conditions of the entire university community is one the basic principles and goals of the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena. Such commitment to prevention and the responsibilities arising from it concern all realms of the university: governing bodies, management team, teaching and research staff, administrative and service staff and students. The UPCT Service of Occupational Hazards (Servicio de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales de la UPCT) has published a "Risk Prevention Manual for new students" (Manual de acogida al estudiante en materia de prevención de riesgos), which may be downloaded from the e-learning platform ("Aula Virtual"), with instructions and recommendations on how to act properly, from the point of view of prevention (safety, ergonomics, etc.), when developing any type of activity at the University. You will also find recommendations on how to proceed in an emergency or if an incident occurs. Particularly when carrying out training practices in laboratories, workshops or field work, you must follow all your teacher's instructions, because he/she is the person responsible for your safety and health during practice performance. Feel free to ask any questions you may have and do not put your safety or that of your classmates at risk.
Detailed description of learning goals for each teaching module:
I.Introduction (Lessons 1-2): To analyse the historical evolution of the agricultural chemistry and update the basic concepts that the student has acquired previously on chemistry and soil.
II.Mineral nutrients (Lessons 3-8): The student must understand the factors which control the availability of the mineral nutrients in the soil and the response of the plants under deficiency/toxicity situations.
III.Fertilizers and pesticides (Lessons9-11): The student must manage the most employed fertilisers and pesticides and evaluate the environmental issues related to the employment of agrochemicals in the agrosystems.
IV.Agricultural Diagnosis (Lessons 12-15): The student must interpret soil, water and plant analyses in the agricultural and environmental context.
Due to the connections with other subjects, it is recommended that students update their knowledge in relation to Chemistry, Plant Physiology and Technology of Plant Production.
Class in conventional classroom: theory, problems, case studies, seminars, etc
- Presentation of the lecturer of the theory lessons.
- Practical cases of interpretation of soil/water/plant analyses in the classroom. The lecturer will provide analytical data and
explain the procedures for their interpretation with examples. Then, the lecturer will propose cases and the student must do a report. This report will be evaluated by the lecturer and taken into account for the final mark of the subject. The students who
do not attend these sessions by justified cause, according to current UPCT regulations, will have option to carry out and deliver the cases practical even if they have not attended face-to-face sessions.
- Critical comment on a general topic related to subject. The students will choose the topic, which should be approved by the lecturer who will provide some guidelines for its implementation. The evaluation of this comment will be taken into account for the final mark of the subject.
47
100
Class in laboratory: practical classes / internships
To develop water, soil and plant analyses, including sampling methodologies. Acquisition of scientific-technical abilities (following methodologies, data acquisition, use of lab equipment, etc.). The lecturer will monitor the students performance at the lab. The students will be organised by groups (maximum three members). It includes the preparation of a lab report that will be taken into account for the final mark of the subject. In case a student can not attend the laboratory sessions because of one of the reasons included in the UPCT-normative, an alternative activity will be proposed by the lecturer. In case they do not attend the practices and do not carry out alternative activities, a question or an activity will be included in the final exam to evalaute this part.
10
100
Assessment activities (continuous assessment system)
Official exams of the subject. There will be two partial exams which acocunt for 30% + 30% of the final mark.
3
100
Assessment activities (final assessment system)
The final exam will consist of two parts, corresponding each to one of partial exams of the course.
3
100
Tutorials
Attendance by appointment by e-mail at the tutorials time table.
Employment of on-line resources (Aula Virtual).
6
100
Student work: study or individual or group work
Study of the theory lessons and preparation of the reports (lab/diagnosis/critical comment)
111
0
Individual official test
Official exams of the subject. There will be two partial exams which acocunt for 30% + 30% of the final mark. Theory and applied questions on the units to evaluate understanding of concepts and ability to apply. Two partial exams will be performed during the official exams period. Each exam will account half (30% +30%) of the total exam mark of the subject (70%). The lessons taught till the last theory lesson will be evalauted at each exam. Rules for qualifitation are based on the current UPCT normative.
60 %
Evaluation of practical sessions, visits and seminars based on reports and corresponding documents
Evaluation of the laboratory report. Structure, typing and presentation of the results will be evaluated in cooperative reports. The lecturer will set the deadline and establish the criteria for the ellaboration/delivery of the report. The evaluation of these reports will be taken into account in the final mark of the subject. In case a student can not attend the laboratory sessions because of one of the reasons included in the UPCT-normative, the lecturer will propose an alternative work to evaluate this part of the
subject. If the students do not do this alternative activity a question/an activity will be included in the global exam.
15 %
Solving of cases, theoretical questions, practical exercises or problems given by the teaching staff
It includes the reports on water, soil and /or plants (10%) and the critical comment (15%). The lecturer will set the deadline and
establish the criteria for the ellaboration/delivery of the reports. The evaluation of these reports will be taken into account in the final mark of the subject. In case the students do not do these activities in the proposed deadline, an alternative activity/questions will be included in the global exam.
25 %
Presentation and defence of individual or group assignments
0 %
Other evaluation activities
0 %
Individual official test
Official global exam of the subject. There will be two parts of the global exam which correspond to each partial exman. Rules for qualifitation are based on the current UPCT normative.
60 %
Evaluation of practical sessions, visits and seminars based on reports and corresponding documents
For those students who did not attend the lab practices and do not deliver the lab report, an alternative activity/questions will be included in the global exam. Those students that attended the lab and delivered the report, are not obligated to do this part but they can do it in case they want to obtain a higher mark. For the latter, they will keep the mark of the global exam and not that mark that they obtained previously.
15 %
Solving of cases, theoretical questions, practical exercises or problems given by the teaching staff
It includes the evalaution of reports on water, soil and /or plants (10%) and the critical comment (15%). For the students who do not carry out these activities and do not deliver the practical cases, substitute activities/questions in the final exam will be included so that have an option to get the corresponding 10% + 15%. Those students that delivered the reports, are not obligated to do this part but they can do it in case they want to obtain a higher mark. For the latter, they will keep the mark of the global exam and not that mark that they obtained previously.
25 %
At the end of each lesson/unit the professor will proposed questions for autoevaluation/real cases at the Aula Virtual/proposal or reports, etc.
Author: Marschner, Horst
Title: Marschner's mineral nutrition of higher plants
Editorial: Elsevier, Academic Press
Publication Date: 2012
ISBN: 9780123849052
Author: Strawn, Daniel G.
Title: Soil chemistry
Editorial: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd,
Publication Date: 2015
ISBN: 9781118629239
Author: Tan, Kim Hua
Title: Principles of soil chemistry /
Editorial: CRC Press,
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: 9781439813928
Author: , Nortcliff, Stephen
Title: Soil conditions and plant growth
Editorial: Wiley-Blackwell ,
Publication Date: 2013
ISBN: 9781405197700
Author: Pierzynski, Gary M.
Title: Soils and environmental quality
Editorial: CRC Press
Publication Date: 2005
ISBN: 9780849316166
Author: Havlin, John L.
Title: Soil fertility and fertilizers an introduction to nutrient management
Editorial: Pearson
Publication Date:
ISBN: 9780135033739
Author: Kabata-Pendias, Alina
Title: Trace elements in abiotic and biotic environments
Editorial: CRC Press
Publication Date: 2015
ISBN: 9781482212792
Author: Tan, Kim Hua
Title: Humic matter in soil and the environment: principles and controversies
Editorial: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis
Publication Date: 2014
ISBN: 9781482234459
Author:
Title: Modern soil microbiology
Editorial: FLbTaylor & Francis
Publication Date: 2019
ISBN: 9781498763530
Author:
Title: Handbook of soil sciences: resource management and environmental impacts
Editorial: CRC Press
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 9781439803073
Author:
Title: Handbook of soil sciences: properties and processes
Editorial: CRC Press
Publication Date: 2012
ISBN: 9781439803059
Author: ,
Title: Soils and human health
Editorial: Boca Raton, FL : b CRC Press , c
Publication Date: 2016
ISBN: 9781439844540
Aula Virtual. Links to e-resources on agricultural chemistry, fertilizers pesticides:
http://agrochemicals.iupac.org/. http://www.mapama.gob.es/es/agricultura/temas/medios-deproduccion/productos-fertilizantes/
http://www.fao.org/global-soilpartnership/resources/highlights/detail/es/c/1200213/