VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Nutrient Fluxes in Soil-Plant Systems: The Case of Nitrogen
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:08:18
Abstract
The course teaches knowledge and experimental techniques to study pools and processes underlying nutrient fluxes in soil-plant systems. Methods will be learned i) to analyze elements dynamics, ii) to determine the use efficiency by crops of nutrients added with fertilizers, iii) to study the fate of fertilizer nutrients not taken up by the crop and iv) to estimate symbiotic N2 fixation by legumes.
Objective
Using the element nitrogen (N) as model case, the student gets familiarized with techniques to assess the dynamics and availability of nutrients in the soil-plant system and to determine the use efficiency by crops of nutrients added with fertilizers. He/she learns about the use of stable isotope techniques for analyzing nutrient fluxes in soil-plant systems, and about the use of biochemical methods to obtain indicators on nutrient transformations. He/she is able to evaluate critically the tools used in agricultural or environmental studies dealing with fluxes of elements in soil-plant systems, and the interpretation made of the results. Knowledge about processes and pools underlying nutrient cycles in agro-ecosystems will be improved. The student learns to work in the laboratory, to organize work in groups, to evaluate and interpret, to look for information outside of the course (e.g. in the library), to read and analyze this information critically and to combine it with the results of the experiments. Students get trained in the results presentation, both written and orally.
Content
This course teaches knowledge and methods to analyze the dynamics of elements in soil-plant systems and to determine the use efficiency by crops of nutrients added with mineral and organic fertilizers. It provides knowledge about various techniques (isotopic, chemical, biochemical) that can be used to evaluate i) content of elements in fertilizers, soils and plants; ii) availability of elements in soils and fertilizers for plants; iii) transfer of elements from a fertilizer to a crop; iv) symbiotic N2 fixation by legumes. Nitrogen will be used as model case. The course will start with the discussion of analytical results on elemental contents in an organic fertilizer (e.g. animal manure, plant material) that has previously been labeled with the isotope 15N. To test the N efficiency of this fertilizer, a pot experiment (glasshouse study) will be designed. It will include two test plants and fertilization treatments including the 15N labeled organic fertilizer and appropriate reference treatments. The soil will be characterized for basic chemical properties and for biochemical characteristics that are related to the N dynamics. Plants will be harvested and analyzed for their dry matter production, their N isotope composition and for elemental contents. From the direct (15N) labeling approach, the proportion of N in the plant derived from the added fertilizers and the percentage of added fertilizer recovered in plant material will be calculated. The 15N analyses in the soil and in the plant material after the crop cycle will allow drawing a balance of the added fertilizer and discussing N losses. The comparison of 15N isotopic composition in legume and non-legume plants will demonstrate the 15N Natural Abundance and the 15N Enriched Dilution methods to estimate symbiotic N2 fixation by the legume. The experiments are discussed and carried out by the students supervised by group members (three senior scientists, PhDs, laboratory staff). The students carry out the data analysis, formulate written interpretation, and report their findings in an oral presentation.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Documentations will be made available during the course.
Literature
Indications during the course.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 18
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Nutrient Fluxes in Soil-Plant Systems: The Case of Nitrogen
This course takes place regularly in Lindau, Eschikon in FMG B 17.1 from 13.15-16.45.
On 13, 20 and 27 May the course will take place at ETH Zentrum.
|
|
4 h weekly |
Offered In
-
-
-
-
-
Minor in Soil-Plant Relations and Land Use (This minor will only be offered in the academic year 21/22. As of the academic year 22/23, the minor can no longer be chosen. The course units offered in the minor can still be taken as electives.)
-
-