Course Outline

Module 1: Fundamentals of Soil Health

• Soil formation, profiles and physical properties (texture, structure)

• Soil chemistry: pH, CEC and nutrient availability

• Soil biology: the role of microorganisms, earthworms, and organic matter

• Practical Exercise: Simple field tests for texture, structure and color.

Module 2: Soil Fertility Assessment and Diagnosis

• Identifying visual nutrient deficiency symptoms in plants

• Understanding soil test reports and their interpretation

• Tools for on-farm soil health monitoring

• Workshop: Interpreting soil analysis results and making recommendations.

Module 3: Organic Matter and Nutrient Cycling

• The central role of soil organic matter (SOM)

• Practices to build SOM: cover crops, compost, manure management

• Nutrient cycling processes (mineralization, immobilization)

• Demonstration: Making quality compost and vermicompost.

Module 4: Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)

• The 4Rs of nutrient stewardship: Right Source, Rate, Time, Place

• Combining mineral fertilizers with organic inputs

• Use of green manures, biofertilizers and soil amendments

• Practical Session: Calculating fertilizer blends and application rates.

Module 5: Conservation and Rehabilitation Practices

• Principles and techniques to control erosion (contouring, mulching)

• Agroforestry and conservation agriculture for soil health

• Strategies for rehabilitating degraded and saline soils

• Final Exercise: Developing a customized soil health management plan for a specific farm scenario.