I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Introduction to Soils and Plant Growth

2. Course Prefix & Number:
SCMT 1116

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 2

Lecture Hours: 2

4. Course Description:

This course will provide students with an understanding of soil types, their characteristics and which crops will grow best on their soils. Students will learn how to manage soils to achieve desired plant growth by using nutrient management techniques appropriate to specific soil types and crop growth needs.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

No placement tests required

Score:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

2. Transfer - regional institutions with which this course has a written articulation agreement:

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Specialty Crops Management, Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate reading and listening skills	Read and understand soil surveys, including soil properties listed on the survey
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations	Adjust fertilizer recommendations according to soil type and nutrient levels in the soil
Utilize appropriate technology	Identify soil types and soil names using existing internet or paper resources

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Identify soil types on their property
• Identify the mineral elements needed for plant growth
• Interpret site selection criteria
• Describe the effects of nutrient deficiencies on plant growth
• Describe the relationship of nutrients to plant growth
• Explain the benefits of proper soil management
• Explain the benefits of soil organic matter

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Local soil types
• Soil types according to county soil survey
• Original vegetation
• Estimated productivity of soil
• Ideal crops for each type of soil
• Drainage characteristics of soils
• Clay subsoils vs. sandy subsoils
• Soil texture types
2. Mineral elements essential for plant growth
• Major elements essential for plant growth
• Minor elements essential for plant growth
• Mobile nutrients
• Immobile nutrients
• Characteristics of nutrient deficiencies on plant growth
• Characteristics of nutrient excesses on plant growth
3. Soil management
• Increasing soil pH
• Decreasing soil pH
• Increasing soil organic matter
• Changing drainage
4. Choosing crops based on soil types
5. Crops for sandy soils
6. Crops for clay soils

 

2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions