2026
Soil-Water-Plant-Atmosphere Relationships
Name: Soil-Water-Plant-Atmosphere Relationships
Code: ERU14229O
3 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours
Scientific Area:
Rural Engineering
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Presentation
Optional
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
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.
Contents
1. Climate and its influence on crop growth
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.
2. Soil water
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. Balance and control of salts in the soil. Water quality for irrigation.
3. Water movement in 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
4. Crop water requirements and crop productivity
Irrigation requirements and irrigation management, stress indexes. Water use efficiency.
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.
2. Soil water
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. Balance and control of salts in the soil. Water quality for irrigation.
3. Water movement in 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
4. Crop water requirements and crop productivity
Irrigation requirements and irrigation management, stress indexes. Water use efficiency.
Teaching Methods
Theoretical-practical classes, with applied practical exercises and practical essays to be performed by the student at home;
Assessment based on one written test (exam).
Assessment based on one written test (exam).
Accreditations and Certifications
