AGRICULTURE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY



Soils and Soilless Research

1 unit course

Course Code 5630

Course Description:

This course is designed to teach students the science involved in growing crops in both soil and soilless production systems. Students learn the importance of soil chemistry and composition as it relates to the growth of economically important crops. Students investigate common agricultural practices as well as alternative methods for growing crops to include hydroponic techniques. Students are also introduced to experimental research using the principles of experimental design.

 

Typical learning activities include hands-on experiences analyzing soils, calculating and applying soil amendments for optimal crop growth, and designing and conducting experiments using the agricultural scientific research lab and the hydroponics green house as well as participating in FFA activities.

This course is a component of the following Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Pathways:

• Horticulture

• Plant and Animal Systems

OBJECTIVE:

Given the necessary equipment, supplies, and facilities, the student, upon completion of the prescribed number of instructional hours, will be able to successfully complete the following core competencies.

Credit: 1 unit

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK:

Agriscience Fundamentals and Applications – Thomson Delmar

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Biological Science Applications in Agriculture Curriculum, Lesson Plan Library – CAERT, Inc.

Hydroponics online school:

Note: Portions of the curriculum were adapted from the Hydroponics Online School curriculum and are used with the expressed permission thereof.

UNIT A: Developing Leadership Skills in Agriculture

Lesson 1. Exploring the History and Organization of FFA

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Explain how, when, and why the FFA was organized.

2 Explain the mission and strategies, colors, motto, parts of the emblem, and the organizational structure of the

FFA.

3. Recite and explain the meaning of the FFA Creed.

4. Explain the purpose of a Program of Activities and its committee structure.

Lesson 2. Discovering Opportunities in the FFA

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Describe how the FFA develops leadership skills, personal growth, and career success.

2. Identify major state and national activities available to FFA members.

Lesson 3. Determining FFA Degrees, Awards, and CDEs

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Explain the four FFA degree areas.

2. Identify the FFA proficiency awards.

3. Explain various team and individual Career Development Events.

Lesson 4. Understanding FFA Officer Duties and Responsibilities

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Describe the duties and responsibilities of chapter FFA officers.

2. Explain the proper dress and characteristics of a good FFA leader.

UNIT B: SUPERVISED EXPERIENCE IN AGRICULTURE

Lesson 1. Determining the Benefits of an SAE

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Explain the importance of goals and career ladders.

2. Define supervised agricultural experience.

3. Explain the benefits of supervised agricultural experience programs.

Lesson 2. Determining the Kinds of SAE

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Explain the difference between entrepreneurship and placement SAE’s..

2. Describe research and experimentation SAEs and exploratory SAE’s.

3. Explain the characteristics of a good SAE program and student responsibilities.

Lesson 3. Researching Possible SAE Programs

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Identify career interest areas in agriculture.

2. Identify skills needed for career success.

3. Explain opportunities for SAE programs.

Lesson 4. Planning Your SAE Program

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Identify the steps in planning an SAE Program.

2. Identify the parts of an annual SAE program plan.

3. Discuss the function of a training plan and /or agreement in an SAE program

Lesson 5. Implementing SAE Programs

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Discuss the importance of keeping records on an SAE program.

2. Explain the types of financial records needed to support a chosen SAE program.

3. Identify standards to follow in keeping records on an SAE program.

Unit C DESIGNING AND CONDUCTING AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Lesson 1. Identifying methods of performing Agricultural Research

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Explain the steps in conducting research in agriculture

Unit D PLANT SCIENCE

Lesson 1. Identify the role of the embryo in germination

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Explain the chain of events that occur during the germination process.

2. Describe the source and function of amylase during seed germination.

3. Explain how seed condition at harvest affects germination potential and eventual

use of the grain for processing.

Lesson 2. Identify the Environmental Factors Affecting Seed Germination

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Explain the role light plays in the germination of some plants.

2. Explain the importance of temperature in germination.

3. Understand the effects oxygen has on germination.

4. Explain the role of water in germination.

5. Explain the role of planting depth on germination.

Lesson 3. Identify the role of Salinity in Seed Germination

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Explain the cause of excessive buildup of soluble salts in soils.

2. Describe the effect excessive concentrations of salts in the soil have on plants.

3. Describe the benefits and dangers irrigation has in relation to soil salinity levels.

4. Explain how saline soils effect seed germination.

Lesson 4. Identify the process of osmotic turgescent in relation to the forces of plant growth

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Explain why the seed coat ruptures during germination.

2. Understand how soil condition affects seed germination and seedling establishment.

3. Explain how seedbed preparation affects germination.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of how germinating seeds work their way up

through the soil.

Lesson 5. Identify the steps in energy transformation in plants exhibited during photosynthesis

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives:

1. Identify the importance of photosynthesis.

2. Discuss the structural unit where the photosynthetic reaction occurs.

3. Describe the processes of photosynthesis.

4. Identify the factors that affect photosynthesis.

Lesson 6. Separate plant pigments by chromatography

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Explain different wavelengths of light.

2. Explain the role of light intensity of plant growth.

3. Identify the pigments commonly found in the leaves of plants.

Lesson 7. Identify the processes involved in transpiration in plants

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Describe the transpiration process.

2. Identify the factors that affect transpiration.

3. Explain water movement caused at the root level

Lesson 8. Identify the homeostatic responses to seedling plants (the tropisms)

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Explain plant tropisms.

2. Identify the different tropisms affecting plant growth.

Lesson 9. Identify the role of temperature on pollen germination

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Explain sexual reproduction of plants and its importance.

2. Explain how pollination occurs and describe the different types of pollination.

3. Explain fertilization in angiosperms.

4. Identify how a common agronomic crop pollinates and fertilizes

Lesson 10. Identifying Processes within plant cells

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Describe a plant cell’s components and their function.

2. Describe the structure and function of the nucleus.

3. Describe the structure of DNA.

4. Explain protein synthesis.

5. Explain the steps involved in cellular replication.

6. Explain diffusion.

7. Explain osmosis and osmotic potential

Lesson 11. Identify how plants can be reproduced by Tissue Culture

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Explain asexual propagation.

2. Describe tissue culture and its importance.

3. Explain the advantages of tissue culture over other propagation methods.

4. Identify the tissue culture method of propagation used in the greenhouse industry

Lesson 12. Identify the steps in Plant Tissue Testing

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Name the nutrients needed for plant growth.

2. Explain why nutrients are essential to plants.

3. Explain where and how plants can obtain nutrients.

4. Describe environmental conditions that influence nutrient deficiencies.

5. Explain where plants can obtain nutrients if inadequate amounts are present in the soil.

6. Discuss the nitrogen cycle and its affect on plant nutrition.

Unit D SOIL SCIENCE

Lesson 1. Understanding Properties of Growing Media

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Define the types of growing media.

2. Describe the functions of the growing media.

3. Determine desirable properties of growing media.

Lesson 2. Identify the components of Growing Media Components

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Describe the components of soil.

2. Appraise the components of a soilless mix.

3. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of soilless medium.

Lesson 3. Identify the properties of the Nature of Soil

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Explain how the resources soil provides help in supporting life.

2. Examine the components of soil.

3. Identify the organisms found in soil and recognize their benefits to the soil.

4. Describe the four ways plants use soil.

5. Describe some agricultural uses of soil.

6. Describe some nonagricultural uses of soil.

Lesson 4. Label a Soil Profile

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Explain a soil profile.

2. Explain how soils within a profile change over time.

3. Distinguish between the major horizons of a soil profile.

Lesson 5. Moisture Holding Capacity

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Explain moisture-holding capacity.

2. Explain what determines a soil’s moisture-holding capacity.

3. Determine the moisture-holding capacity of a given soil profile.

Lesson 6. Soil Degradation

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Describe soil degradation.

2. Explain how construction can result in soil degradation.

3. Identify sources of contamination and explain how they result in soil degradation.

4. Explain soil erosion and how it results in soil degradation.

5. Identify other sources of soil degradation.

6. Examine management strategies that limit soil degradation.

Lesson 7. Understanding Soil Formation

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Identify five factors involved in soil formation.

2. Describe different types of parent material.

3. Explain topography and how it affects soil formation.

4. Assess the impact of organisms on soil development.

5. Describe how time and weathering affect properties of soil.

6. Examine how climate affects the development of soil.

Lesson 8. Identify the significance of Soil Color

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Differentiate soils based on physical features.

2. Recognize colors used to describe surface soils.

3. Analyze factors that determine surface soil colors.

4. Identify colors used to describe subsoil.

5. Explain factors that determine subsoil colors.

6. Explain how parent material, age, and slope affect soil color.

Lesson 9. Identify the significance of Soil Texture and Structure

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Describe the concept of soil texture and its importance.

2. Determine the texture of a soil sample.

3. Explain soil structure, its formation, and importance.

4. Differentiate various soil structures.

Lesson 10. Use land capability classes

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Define land capability and ways to improve it.

2. Identify factors that determine land capability.

3. Explain the land capability classification system.

Lesson 11. Identify the significance of Soil chemistry

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Describe the meaning and importance of soil fertility.

2. Explain the role of soil reaction (pH) and liming in soil chemistry.

3. Explain the role of soil colloids, ions, and the cat ion exchange capacity (CEC) in soil chemistry.

4. Explain the role of organic matter, soil depth, surface slope, soil organisms, and nutrient balance in soil productivity.

Unit E SOILLESS MIXTURES

Lesson 1. Identify the components of Hydroponics

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Explain the meaning of hydroponics.

2. Identify key components of the past, present and future of Hydroponics

3. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of hydroponics.

4. Describe the requirements for hydroponically grown plants.

Lesson 2. Identify the four most common Hydroponics Growing methods

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Identify the components of the Ebb and Flow system

2. Identify the components of the Drip system

3. Identify the components of the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system

4. Identify the components of the Passive System system

Lesson 3. Identify the common Hydroponic Growing mediums

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Identify the requirements and purpose of medium

2. Identify Traditional medium: Vermiculite, saw dust, sand, peat moss

3. Identify more recent medium: rockwool, perlite, clay pebbles

Lesson 4. Identify how Hydroponics addresses the basic needs of plants

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Identify how water requirements are met and regulated in hydroponics

2. Identify how Temperature and light requirements are met and regulated in hydroponics

3. Identify how Fresh air requirements are met and regulated in hydroponics

4. Identify how Shelter and support of plants is met and regulated in hydroponics

5. Identify how Pest and disease control in plants are managed with hydroponics

6. Identify how water-soluble minerals requirements are met and regulated in hydroponics

7. Identify how pH levels are maintained in hydroponics

Lesson 5. Identify and properly test for nutrient requirements of plants grown hydroponically

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Identify plant nutrient requirements for common plants grown in the area

2. Identify Hydroponic nutrient mixes

3. Identify how to avoid nutrient deficiencies and excesses

Lesson 6. Identify methods of germinating seed for your Hydroponic garden

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Identify steps in the germination process

2. Identify how requirements of germination are met in hydroponics

Lesson 7. Identify light requirements for Hydroponically grown plants

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Identify the components in the process of Transpiration and Photosynthesis

2. Identify the Light spectrums

3. Identify methods of providing Artificial lighting

Lesson 8. Identify methods of Pest control on Hydroponically grown plants

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Identify key Biological Control methods used in growing plants hydroponically

2. Identify Pesticides used in controlling pests in hydroponic cultures

Lesson 9. Identify the components of a Hydroponics Business

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following objectives

1. Identify the components of a hydroponic business

2. List key activities performed to maintain daily operation

3. List methods of plant culturing

4. List methods of clipping

5. List methods of Sucker pruning

6. List methods of Cluster pruning

7. List methods of Leaf pruning

8. List methods of Leaning and Lowering

9. List methods of Pollination

10. List methods of Harvesting and Packing

11. List methods of Marketing

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