- -   AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM  - -

(CLF7000)  Advanced Core Cluster:  PLANT SCIENCE AND SOIL SCIENCE

    (CLF7450)  Unit Title:  PLANT GROWTH

                               UNIT DIRECTORY:

____________________________________________________________________________

        Code         Topic Title                          Hours     Year(s)
____________________________________________________________________________

       (CLF7451)     Primary, Secondary & Micro Nutrients   1        3 / 4
                     Necessary for Plant Growth  
                                                                            
       (CLF7452)     Sources of N, P and K                  1        3 / 4  
                                                                            
       (CLF7453)     Function. of Nutrients                 1        3 / 4  
                     in Plant Growth    
                                                                            
       (CLF7454)     Reading the Fertilizer Label           1        3 / 4  
                                                                            
       (CLF7455)     Soil Amendments                        1        3 / 4  
                                                                            
       (CLF7456)     Uses of Fertilizers                    1        3 / 4  
                                                                            
       (CLF7457)     Symptoms of Deficiencies               1        3 / 4  
                     (N,P,K,FE,S,MG,B and ZN)                               
                                                                            
       (CLF7458)     Determining Nutrient Deficiencies      2        3 / 4  
                                                                            
       (CLF7459)     Methods of Application                 1        3 / 4  
                                                                            
                                    TOTAL TIME FOR UNIT =   10

____________________________________________________________________________

UNIT GOAL:  Students will identify the elements and nutrients necessary for 
            plant growth and production, the techniques for amending soils, 
            and the principles necessary for calculating application rates 
            and applying fertilizers for specific needs.

____________________________________________________________________________

UNIT OBJECTIVES:  Upon completion of this unit, the students will be able 
                  to:

1.  List the primary, secondary and micronutrients elements necessary for
    plant growth.

2.  List a source of each of the primary elements:  N, P, and K.

3.  Discuss the function of nutrients in plant growth.

4.  Read the directions on a fertilizer label and demonstrate proper 
    dilution and application techniques.

5.  Calculate the content of N-P-K in a fertilizer container from 
    information on the package.

6.  Calculate the amount of fertilizer needed for an acre of crop using a 
    selected nitrogen source.

7.  Calculate the cost per pound of plant nutrient in ton of fertilizer.

8.  Define "soil amendment" and list three inorganic and three organic soil 
    amendments.

9.  Identify three ways soil amendments can improve soil.

10. List three advantages of organic and three advantages of inorganic 
    fertilizer.

11. Discuss the process of nitrogen fixation and identify plants with this 
    ability.

12. List symptoms of plant nutrient deficiencies when the following minerals 
    are inadequate:  N,P,K,Fe,S,Mg,B and Zn.

13. Identify three general methods for testing soil deficiency.

14. Perform a soil test and complete a report on the test.

15. Interpret a commercial soil test report.

16. Demonstrate at least three common methods of fertilizer application.

____________________________________________________________________________
REFERENCES:

WESTERN FERTILIZER HANDBOOK.  (1985).  (7th ed.).  Danville, Illinois: 
  Interstates Printers and Publishers.

Hartman, H., et. al.  (1988).  PLANT SCIENCE.  (2nd ed.).  Englewood Cliff, 
  New Jersey:  Prentice Hall, Inc.

____________________________________________________________________________
RESOURCES:





7/25/90 sg


#%&C