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Plant nutrition II: Integrated nutrient management
Pflanzenernährung II
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:18:37
Abstract
The aim of this course is to understand nutrient fluxes in agrosystems to maximize nutrient use efficiency by crops and minimize losses. First, nutrient budgets will be calculated. Then the characteristics of input and output variables will be treated including organic and mineral fertilizers, symbiotic N2 fixation, nutrient deposition and losses. Measures to mitigate losses will be presented.
Objective
At the end of the lecture the students can apply nutrient balances, can critically evaluate agricultural systems as source of elements for the environment and can propose agricultural practices that limit these losses while maximizing the use of nutrients by crops.
Content
This course provides understanding of nutrient fluxes in agro-ecosystems so as to maximize nutrient use efficiency by crops while minimizing nutrient losses to the environment. First, different approaches to calculate nutrient budgets at various levels of the agro-ecosystem will be studied. Then 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 N2 fixation, nutrient deposition and pathways of nutrient losses. Measures to mitigate nutrient losses to the environment will be presented. 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.
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Pflanzenernährung II |
|
2 h weekly |