A novel approach to teaching soil management

Abstract

An approach is described for teaching soil management involving lectures, seminars, and exercises. Lectures are given, in part, by guest lecturers who possess expertise in different phases of soil management. The weekly seminar periods are conducted with segments of the class to discuss current subject matter of lecture and assigned exercises. Each student is assigned an area of land on a photomosaic soil map. Students are asked to do a series of exercises with the assigned area involving soil characteristics, land capability, erosion, cropping systems, drainage, tillage, irrigation, and fertilizer and lime requirements. Areas consisting primarily of medium and fine-textured mineral soils are assigned to students with an interest in field crops. Areas consisting of coarse-textured mineral soils and muck soil are assigned to students with horticultural crop interests. Students are asked to “grow” three crops as they proceed with the series of exercises. The approach presented has been found to be more realistic and interesting than the conventional lecture approach used for degree students in agriculture.