Home Study Course Soil Management Of Crops
- Learn soil maintenance and management (for crops).
- After enrolling, watch our "orientation video" and discover how to use all sorts of services to support your study.
- Lots of flexibility is where and how often you study; and even what your learning is focussed on
- Exams are optional and only needed if you want to use this study as a credit in a formal qualification -even then, we always give you the option to repeat exams
- Exceptional tutor support -Our horticulture faculty includes a dozen university trained professionals most with decades of industry experience. You have unlimited access to tutors over the phone or email.
Course Structure and Content
There are 7 lessons as follows:
- Physical & Chemical Properties Of Soils
- Soil Testing Methods
- Sustainable Soil Management
- Soils & Managing Earthworks
- Land Degradation & Other Soil Problems
- Soil Science & Health
- Soil Management
This is an individual module. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study. Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
For individual courses - If you want to take one of these courses only, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it. If you successfully pass the exam, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course. If you do not wish to sit the examination, you will need to complete all assignments to receive the course completion letter. There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Click here for more information on exams.
Extracts from Course Notes:
Soil management in an orchard has two main aspects:
1. The way changes in the physical structure of the soil are controlled.
2. The way chemical changes in the soil are controlled.
In dealing with these things the soil manager must consider all things which might bring about changes in the soil, and try to foresee all of the implications of any change which happens, both from long term and short term perspectives.
Factors which will have such an influence include: the climate (including microclimates), fertilizing, watering, cultivation, plants grown in the soil, micro‑organisms, insects and other living things in the soil, compaction caused by machines and people, adding lime, composts, gypsum, weedicide and pesticide applications, etc.
CROP ROTATION
This involves the growing of a selected number of different kind of crops in regular order on any particular field. The principal objectives of good rotation are to secure more economical and more certain production of crops over a period of years, and to control soil erosion.
Where crop rotation is practiced, the loss of water is less than half the amount lost from bare land and from land in continuous cultivation, and only a sixth more than from bluegrass sod. The soil stays in good physical condition with a well‑chosen rotation program, allowing rapid entry of water from rain. Less water accumulates on the surface during rainstorms with soils that take water readily. Therefore runoff and soil erosion are both decreased.
Values of crop rotation include :
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keeping the soil in suitable physical condition
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helping to maintain the supply of organic matter & nitrogen in the soil
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providing a practical means of utilizing farm manure and fertilizer
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keeping the soil occupied with crops
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changing the location of the feeding range of crops
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counteracting the possible development of toxic substances in the soil
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improving crop quality.
Crop rotation not only favours higher crop production, but as a rule insures better crop quality.
Factors Determining the Rotation.
The type of crop rotation to be used involves consideration. There are many factors; including the fertility of the soil and its topography, tilth, drainage, slope, annual rainfall, prevalence of weeds, diseases, insects and the length of the growing season. Rotations suited to level land, for example, may be entirely unsuited to steep slopes on the same farm.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
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Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
Distance Learning Course Soil Management Crops
"Soil maintenance and management (for crops)".
A specifically designed course for the management of soil for crops.
Understand the importance of good soil management and nutrition.
Study at your own pace and in your own time.
Learn from our highly experienced tutors.
This course is similar to our other soil management courses, but relates specifically to crops.
Soils are the foundation for any good horticulture; and this course as such is an essential training for anyone who seriously wants to grow crops.
