Bio-system Soil-Water-Plant-Atmosphere

Code: ERU10436M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Rural Engineering

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English, Spanish

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

This course aims to study soil-water-atmosphere relationships in the development and productivity of crops. Detail the relationship with the climate and the movement of water in the soil and plants.

Sustainable Development Goals

2. Erradicar a fome - Acabar com a fome, alcançar a segurança alimentar e melhoria da nutrição e promover a agricultura sustentável.

4. Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

6. Água potável e saneamento - Garantir disponibilidade e manejo sustentável da água e saneamento para todos.

13. Ação climática - Tomar medidas urgentes para combater a mudança climática e seus impactos (*).

Learning Goals

The objective of this curricular unit is to detail the analysis of the soil, water, plant and atmosphere biosystem that provides the student with knowledge and information essential to decision making on good management practices of agricultural systems, guaranteeing their sustainability. It is intended to introduce concepts, relate, explain and quantify the complex problem of soil-water-atmosphere relations in the development and productivity of crops. It is intended that the student improves his knowledge in order to improve his skills and competences to analyze environmental physical constraints (climatic factors, water scarcity, saline stress) and propose solutions to improve crop productivity.

I. Climatology and Meteorology. Weather elements and factors. Climatic classifications. Radiation and radiation balance. Photoperiodism. Energy balance at the soil surface. Transport of momentum, energy and mass in the boundary layer. Modified environments. Soil temperature control. Climatic needs of crops. II. Soil intrinsic and relative characteristics. Water content and characterization of the state of water in the soil. Water retention in the soil. Infiltration and redistribution of water in the soil. Crop water requirements. New technologies in irrigation management, stress indexes. Water use efficiency. Effects of excess salts in the soil on crop productivity. Balance of salts in the soil. Control of salinity in the soil. Water quality for irrigation. III. Brief review of the anatomy and physiology of plants. The water flow in the plant. The assimilation of carbon. Growth regulators, photo-periodism and vernalization. The assessment of the physiological state of plants.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical classes, with applied practical exercises performed in the classroom and practical essays to be performed by the student at home.

Assessment

The assessment of the curricular unit can be done either through continuous assessment or final assessment.
In the case of continuous assessment (no. 5 of article 110 of the RAUE), there will be a practical assignment (25%) and a written test (75%) in each of the 3 modules of the curricular unit program. The grade obtained in module I is worth 25% of the final grade, in module II it is worth 50% of the final grade, and in module III it is worth 25% of the final grade.
In the case of final assessment (no. 6 of article 110 of the RAUE), in each module there will be a practical assignment (20% of the final grade) and a written test (80%) covering material from all modules to be carried out during the final assessment period, as provided for in no. 6 of article 110 of the RAUE.
If deemed necessary to verify the extent to which the student has developed the knowledge and skills required for the course unit, the teaching team may summon the student for an oral examination, in accordance with paragraph 13 of article 110 of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora, ensuring the conditions set out in paragraph 4 of article 116 and paragraph 1 of article 118 of the same Regulations. The oral examination will have a weighting of 30% in the final grade of the course unit.