AESC40140 Agri-Environmental Nutrient Management

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module will explore the importance of nutrients for healthy plant growth and associated agronomic and environmental issues and management practices. Nutrient elements and their sources, forms, transformations, availability, uptake and toxicities will be explored. The importance of nutrient management in major production systems, including grasslands, tillage crops, and horticulture will be covered. The importance of managing soil pH, and concepts of soil fertility and organic production will be discussed. Farm and field-scale nutrient management, planning, advice, analysis and regulation will be covered in detail, and students will prepare a Farm Nutrient Management Plan. Processes of nutrient transformation in soils, plants and animals and transfer to water, soil and atmosphere, and their impact on environmental issues such as eutrophication and water quality, and anthropogenic climate change, will be explored.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students will have a comprehensive understanding of the importance of appropriate nutrient management and nutrient management planning for sustainable agricultural production systems and how these can be achieved through the design and implementation of a farm nutrient management plan that meets the requirements of current Irish legislation, guidelines and best-practice. Students will also develop transferrable skills in searching the literature, critical review, assimilation and communication of scientific information in written and oral form and also in communicating information to practitioners such as farmers. In addition, students will have the opportunity (on a voluntary basis with a limited number of places) to take a 2-day field trip to Teagasc Johnstown Castle Environment Research Centre for hands-on instruction during the Field Work Period in mid March with transport from Belfield provided.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

18
Seminar (or Webinar)

6
Field Trip/External Visits

18
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

106
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The main teaching and learning approaches used in this module are:
- lectures
- student-driven learning
- field-based learning
- critical writing
- student seminar presentations
- case study constructive learning.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
AESC20060 - Soil Science Basics

Incompatibles:
ERM40150 - Soils, Nutrients and Environme


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Seminar: Seminar Handout Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20
Seminar: Seminar Presentation Unspecified n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20
Assignment: Nutrient Management Plan Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

60

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Thomas Cummins Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Mary Harty Lecturer / Co-Lecturer