*ACHEM 4221: Micronutrients in Agriculture (T)

Department of Agricultural Chemistry

 

Course Code: ACHEM 4221                         Course Title: Micronutrients in Agriculture

Credit: 2

Contact Hours: 32

Level: 4

Semester: 2

 

Rationale:

This course imparts knowledge on sources, interactions, biochemical functions, metabolism and bioavailability of micronutrients in plants.

 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLO):

  1. Describe the scope, distribution, forms, biochemical functions, transformation and bioavailability of micronutrients.
  2. Identify critical limit of micronutrients in soils and plants.
  3. State the uptake mechanisms and interaction of micronutrients.
  4. Explain the deficiencies and toxicities of micronutrients.
  5. Formulate fertilizer recommendation for overcoming micronutrient deficiencies.

 

Mapping CLO with PLO

CLO/ PLO

PLO 1

PLO 2

PLO 3

PLO 4

PLO 5

PLO 6

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PLO 8

PLO 9

PLO 10

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CLO 2

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CLO 3

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CLO 4

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CLO 5

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Summary of Course Content  

 

Course Content

Aligned CLO

No. of Lectures

Introduction and scope of micronutrients; micronutrients in soils, plants and animals; Agro-economic aspects of micronutrient usage.

1

4

Geographic patterns of trace element problems and distribution of problematic areas; Emergence of micronutrient deficiencies in Bangladesh.

1

4

Sorption mechanisms and reactions of individual micronutrients in soils; Distribution, forms and transformation of micronutrients in soils; Critical limit of micronutrients in soils and plants; Factors affecting availability and transformation of micronutrients; Biochemical functions of micronutrients in plant nutrition.

1 & 2

8

Micronutrient deficiency and toxicity in plants; Interactions of micronutrients in the soil-plant system; Mechanisms of micronutrient uptake and translocation in plants; Micronutrients in relation to plant physiology and disease-pest resistance.

3 & 4

6

Micronutrient fertilizer technology: Fertilizer sources and application techniques of micronutrients; Use of natural chelates and bioavailability of micronutrients in soil-plant system; Biofortification of micronutrients in food crops.

1 & 5

8

Study of micronutrient deficiency and toxicity symptoms in model plants; Field trip to micronutrient fertilizer manufacturing plants and research institutes for survey and identification of fertilizers, micronutrient deficiency symptoms in field and horticultural crops

4 & 5

2

                                                                               Total Lectures

32

 

Teaching Strategy

  • Lecture
  • Multimedia presentation
  • Video demonstration
  • Field trip

Assessment Strategy

  • Short question
  • MCQ
  • Assignment

Books Recommended

Bennett, W.F. (ed.). 1994. Nutrient Deficiencies & Toxicities in Crop Plants. APS Press, Minnesota, USA.

Das, D.K. (ed.). 2007. Micronutrients: Their Behaviour in Soils and Plants. 2nd edn., Kalayani Publications, New Delhi, India.

Fageria, N.K.; Baligar, V.C. and Jones, C.A. 2010. Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Field Crops. 3rd edn., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York.

Havlin, J.L.; Tisdale, S.L; Nelson, W.L. and Beaton, J. D. 2013. Soil Fertility and Fertilizers. 8th edn., Prentice-Hall Inc., New Jersey, USA.

Kabata-Pendias, A. and Pendias, H. 2001. Trace Elements in Soils and Plants. 3rd edn., CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.

Marschner, P. 2012. Marschner’s Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants. 3rd edn., Academic Press, London, UK.

Mortvedt, J.J.; Cox, F.R.; Shuman, L.M. and Welch, R.M. 1991. Micronutrients in Agriculture. 2nd edn., Soil Science Society of America Inc., Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Sharma, C.P. 2006. Plant Micronutrients: Roles, Responses and Amelioration of Deficiencies. Science Publishers, New Hampshire, USA.

Singh, U., Praharaj, C.S., Singh, S.S. and Singh, N.P. (eds.). 2016. Biofortification of Food Crops. Springer, India.

Tandon, H.L.S. (ed.). 2013. Micronutrient Handbook - from research to practical application. 2nd edn., Fertilizer Development and Consultation Organization, New Delhi, India.