HORT302 – Soil Science
Module code
HORT302
Module title
Soil Science
Prescription
To develop and apply knowledge of soil science to the identification, selection and growing of plants within the amenity, arboriculture and landscape construction sectors.
NZQA Level
Level 3
NZQA Credits
10
Delivery method
- Web-Supported
Learning hours
- Total learning hours
- 100
Resources required
- Learning Outcomes
- 1:Describe the composition of soil, and its impact on plant identification, selection and growth.
2:Identify soil texture and structure and describe how this effects plant growth and determines plant selection.
3:Describe the chemical properties of soil and the impact of each property on plant growth.
4:Describe how to modify soils to optimise plant and soil health.
5.Demonstrate an understanding of sustainable practices in horticulture. - Content
- Composition; minerals, particles, organic matter, water, air, soil, horizons, growing medium
Texture Structure; aggregates, types, effects on growth, soil water, water tables.
Chemical Properties; soil pH, macro and micro nutrients, cause of deficiencies, disorders.
Soil modification; organic matter, cultivation techniques, modifying texture and structure.
Sustainability, resource management, environmental impacts, codes of practice, health and safety. - Teaching and Learning Strategy
Teaching and learning methods will be face to face delivery including workshops, project based interactive tasks, with group sessions, tutorials, practicals on-site, and the creation of portfolios of evidence.- Assessment Criteria
- Portfolio of Evidence100
The weight of the overall assessment is equally distributed across learning outcomes.
The portfolio of evidence will demonstrate the achievement of the required knowledge, competencies and capabilities across all the learning outcomes.
Criteria to Pass this Module:
Assessment is achievement based. Students need to attempt all assessments and gain an overall of 50 in their final grade to pass this module.
