This course will teach you about the different types of soils and how to use each for your plant production. It contains information on analysis, sampling, erosion control and many more crucial farming topics. This course forms part of the National Certificate in Plant Production.

When you have completed this module, you will be able to:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Understand the place of soil science in crop husbandry, definition of soil, main soil types and their characteristics and the composition on mineral soils.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Understand the importance of inorganic fractions such as mechanical analysis, soil texture, soil sampling, types of rocks and origin of stones, sand, silt, clay and soluble salts.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

The learner will learn and identify the properties of sand, silt, clay, soil acidity and base exchange.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Understand the principles of organic matter including origin of organic matter, soil microflora, breakdown of organic matter, carbon and nitrogen cycles, properties of organic matter and soil structure.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5

The learner will be able to manage and understand forms of water, movement of water in soils, availability of water to the plants and the effects of irrigation.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6

The learner will be able to understand soil air and temperature, pore space in the soil, soil air and soil temperature.

SECIFIC OUTCOME 7

The learner will be able to identify and understand types of brak soils, origin of brak soils and the reclamation of brak soils.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 8

Understand and implement soil classification and soil analysis such as soil profiles, soil cultivation, meanings of soil analysis, soil sampling sheet and fertilizer recommendation sheets.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 9

The learner will be able to understand soil erosion and the control of soil erosion which includes causes and types of erosion and methods of erosion control

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 10

Understand mechanical protection including contour design, ploughing between contours, storm drains, gulley control and the construction and maintenance of water ways and farm roads.