ENVT3060 Soil–Plant Interactions

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 1UWA (Perth)Face to face
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 3 core unit in the Agricultural Science major sequence
  • Level 3 complementary unit in the Botany major sequence
  • The area of knowledge for this unit is Life and Health Sciences
  • Category B broadening unit for students
  • Level 3 elective
Content
This unit seeks to examine the soil as an environment for the growth of plants, and to develop a basic understanding of plant nutrition. The unit integrates knowledge of biological components of soil fertility with the physical and chemical components of soil. The role of soil biota in cycling nutrients for plants and in the development of a suitable environment for plant growth is emphasised. These aspects are considered in the context of soil management to maintain sustainable agricultural, horticultural and forest production, to restore disturbed natural ecosystems and to understand processes in managed and natural ecosystems.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) understand nutrient cycling in the soil–microbe–plant continuum and soil–plant interactions governing resistance to abiotic stresses; (2) integrate concepts related to soil fertility and land use in sustainable land management; (3) record, analyse, critically assess, present and discuss experimental data; (4) write concise research reports describing the methods used and data acquired, relate them to published knowledge and place them in a broader environmental and social context; and (5) work individually and in groups to solve problems related to soil fertility and land use.
Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) short tests covering the interactive web-based material (10 per cent); (2) a major report covering the group project (30 per cent); and (3) a final two-hour written examination (60 per cent). Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 overall and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.
Unit Coordinator(s)
Professor Zed Rengel
Unit rules
Prerequisites:
EART2222 Geomorphology and Soils or ENVT2250 Ecology or ENVT2236 Soil Science
Incompatibility:
EART3336 Soil Biology and Plant Nutrition, EART8336 Soil Biology and Plant Nutrition,
EART3360 Soil-Plant Interactions
Contact hours
lectures: 3 hours per week; practical work: 3 hours per week
Unit Outline
Semester 1-2020 [SEM-1-2020]
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus. Copies of textbooks and other readings will be made available for students to access from the Library, online wherever possible as well as in print.