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751-3402-00L 2 Credits BSC , MSC D-USYS , D-HEST

Plant Nutrition II - Integrated Nutrient Management

Pflanzenernährung II - Integriertes Nährstoffmanagement

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Astrid Oberson Dräyer, PD Dr. Else Katrin Bünemann König
Only for Students in Agricultural Sciences and Students in Environmental or Food Sciences who have successfully completed the lecture plant nutrition 1 (751-3401-00L).
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:13:56

Abstract

Teaching on nutrient fluxes in agroecosystems so as to maximize nutrient use efficiency by crops and minimize losses to the environment while providing optimal nutrient supply to crops. Methods to establish nutrient budgets are presented. Nutrient input and output variables (e.g. losses by various pathways) are treated and their optimal management presented.

Objective

At the end of the lecture the students know the properties of mineral and organic fertilizers, can establish nutrient budgets, can critically evaluate agricultural systems as source of elements for the environment and can propose agricultural practices that limit these losses while maximizing nutrient use efficiency and optimizing nutrient supply to crops.

Content

This course provides understanding of integrated nutrient management in agro-ecosystems so as to maximize nutrient use efficiency by crops while minimizing nutrient losses to the environment at optimal nutrient supply to the crop. The characteristics of input and output variables will be treated. These variables encompass organic (e.g. animal manure, plant residues, recycled organic wastes) and mineral fertilizers (e.g. minerals and products from recycling), symbiotic nitrogen fixation, nutrient deposition and pathways of nutrient losses. Measures to mitigate nutrient losses to the environment will be presented. Different methods will be taught so as to calculate nutrient budgets at various levels of the agro-ecosystem. Using case studies on nutrient rich and nutrient poor agro-ecosystems, strategies for an optimal nutrient management will be discussed that integrate attributes of soils, plants and fertilizers. In particular the treatment of case studies results in interactive lectures. Exercises done outside the classes help to foster the matter. Finally, they work on a focal topic of their interest. This is either i) the analysis and presentation of a paper, or ii) the analysis of the nutrient status of a farm by the means of nutrient budgeting and the development of integrated fertilization system including a modified scenario of that farm. In either case, they work in groups and present the outcome in an oral presentation (including peer feedback) of in a short written report.

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Registration & Places

Priority: Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Pflanzenernährung II - Integriertes Nährstoffmanagement
  • Wed 10:15-12:00 (LFW C 1)
2 h weekly

Offered In