NSCPHD1245 Plant Nutrients in Terrestrial Ecosystems - acquisition and turnover

Volume 2014/2015
Content


The course:

  • Gives an introduction to issues, concepts and methodologies used for studying plant nutrition and soil fertility
  • Focuses on processes that determine nutrient acquisition and utilization by plants and the turnover and bio-availability of plant nutrients in soils and fertilizers
  • Introduces the Ph.D. students to cutting-edge techniques for plant and soil testing
  • Is interdisciplinary in its nature drawing on expertise from a range of different fields
  • Is international and embraces a high-profile teachers from DK and abroad


The following topics will be covered in the 2015 edition of the course (minor changes may occur):

  • Nutrient requirements of plants and uptake mechanisms for plant nutrients
  • Diffusion and availability of plant nutrients in soils - pools, processes and inputs
  • Turnover of organically bound plant nutrients in soil - pools, processes and inputs
  • Rhizoshere processes
  • Biofortification of plants
  • Methods for analysis and bio-imaging of plant nutrients  
  • Laboratory exercises focusing on analysis of plant-available phosphorus and micronutrients in soil by use of diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) and state-of-the-art techniques in atomic spectrometry (ICP)


 
 

Learning Outcome

 

Upon completing the course the student will have achieved state-of-the-art knowledge on:

  • Concepts and theories underlying nutrient use efficiency and sustainable use of plant nutrients
  • Concepts and methodologies used for studying plant nutrition and soil fertility
  • Processes that determine acquisition and utilization of plant nutrients and their turnover and bio-availability in soils and fertilizers
  • The course is recommended for PhD students that want to work on issues related to plant nutrition and nutrient turnover in terrestrial ecosystems.

Recent review papers and advanced text book materials

The course includes literature review before the course week and seminars given by specialist researchers as well as practical and theoretical exercises.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Practical exercises
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 70
  • Theory exercises
  • 10
  • Total
  • 110
Credit
4 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Exam registration requirements
In order to pass the course, all participants must prove to be well prepared by handing in a written assignment before the course and by being actively engaged during seminars and exercises.