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751-3405-00L 4 Credits MSC D-USYS

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Chemical Nature of Nutrients and their Availability to Plants: The Case of Phosphorus

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. em. Dr. Emmanuel Frossard, Dr. Matthias Wiggenhauser, Dr. Laurie Paule Schönholzer

Number of participants limited to 15. Priority will be given to students in Agricultural Sciences

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:00:33

Abstract

The course discusses the mechanistic relationships between nutrient speciation in fertilizer and nutrient uptake by plants using phosphorus as an example. The course involves theoretical aspects of nutrient cycling, laboratory work, data analysis and presentation, and the use of advanced methods in plant nutrition studies.

Objective

At the end of this course, participants will obtain a mechanistic understanding of why and how the speciation of phosphorus in fertilizer can affect its release to the soil solution and subsequent uptake by plants. Students will be able to use this information for the development of fertilization schemes that maximize the nutrient uptake and fertilizer efficiency of crops or pastures. During the course, participants will become familiar with the use of radioisotopes and nuclear magnetic resonance as approaches to measure nutrient availability and forms, respectively and they will know the limits of these techniques. Students will also have the opportunity to improve their laboratory, presentation, discussion and writing skills.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Documents will be distributed during the lecture.

Literature

Documents will be distributed during the lecture.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: graded semester performance

Final grade = oral presentation of the experimental results on fertilizer and soil: 1/3 of final grade; oral presentation of the experimental results on plant: 1/3 of final grade; and an individual essay: 1/3 of final grade.

Registration & Places

Max Places: 15

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	Chemical Nature of Nutrients and their Availability to Plants: The Case of Phosphorus The lecture times are 08.10-11.45, starting on 23 September 2022 The lecutres take place at the Experimental Station Eschikon (Group of Plant Nutrition), 8315 Eschikon-Lindau. .	Fri 08:15-12:00 (FMG B 17.1)	56 h semesterly

Offered In

Agricultural Sciences Master
- Major in Plant Sciences
  - Disciplinary Competences
    - Agriculture and Environment
- Minors
  - Agriculture and Environment (This minor will only be offered in the academic year 22/23. As of the academic year 23/24, the minor can no longer be chosen. The course units offered in the minor can still be taken as electives.)
  - Functioning of Soil Systems
  - General Crop Science (This minor will only be offered in the academic year 22/23. As of the academic year 23/24, the minor can no longer be chosen. The course units offered in the minor can still be taken as electives.)