Soil Science

General

• Code: TΑBO-33-Γ3
• Semester: 3rd
• Study Level: Undergraduate
• Course type: Special Background
• Teaching and exams language: Greek
• Teaching Methods (Hours/Week): Lectures (2) / Practice works (5)
• ECTS Units: 5
• Course homepage: https://eclass.emt.ihu.gr/courses/FD300/
• Instructors: Eleftheriadis Alexandros
• Class Schedule:
  • Wed 14:00 - 16:00: Θεωρία, Αίθουσα Εδαφολογίας
  • Wed 16:00 - 18:00: Εργαστήριο, Αίθουσα Εδαφολογίας - Ομάδα Α
  • Fri 14:00 - 16:00: Εργαστήριο, Αίθουσα Εδαφολογίας - Ομάδα Β
  • Fri 16:00 - 18:00: Εργαστήριο, Αίθουσα Εδαφολογίας - Ομάδα Γ

Course Contents

Theoretical part of the course

Soils and their development -Soil genesis. Main soil ingredients. Soil textural components. Textural classes and their physical meaning and role. Soil mineral contents. Primary and secondary minerals: structure, physical and chemical properties. Soil water management. Soil chemical properties and their influence on vine physiology. Cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.). Soil pH and its importance for viniculture. Improvement of acid and alkaline soils. Management of salty and sodic soils. Soil organic matter .Importance if organic matter and its sources. Soil physical properties: structure, porosity, soil temperature and its meaning, soil color, soil depth, soil aeration. Soil morphology: Soil horizons and layers. Soil moisture and its management. General irrigation practices of vineyards. Soil Taxonomy. Greek soil categories. Soil mapping and mapping units. Fertility assessment. Soil nutrients. Fertilizers, inorganic and organic. Fertility needs. Soil and vineyard ecology. Soil erosion. Soil requirements of vines. Soil evaluation.

Laboratory part of the course

• Soil sampling and design. Soil horizons.
• Soil sampling preparation.
• Soil texture and analysis.
• Soil moisture and porosity, bulk density.
• Soil pH. Carbonates.
• Soil organic matter.
• Fertility assessment.
• Soil evaluation for viniculture.
• Field work.

Educational Goals

The course aims to give to the student the necessary knowledge in order to be able to study and manage soil data of an area, so the student can evaluate the dynamics and suitability of the area for viniculture and production of high-quality products.

At the end of the semester the student will be able to:

• Identify different soil types and their properties.
• Calculate the vine’s needs in irrigation water and nutrient elements, through knowledge of soil’s physical and chemical properties.
• Organize and conduct soil sampling in a vineyard, as well as evaluating the results of the soil analyses.
• Manage the soil for wine production.

General Skills

• Search for analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology.
• Adapting to new situations.
• Decision-making.
• Working independently.
• Team work.
• Soil experiments.
• Production of new research ideas.
• Project planning and management.
• Respect for difference and multiculturalism.
• Respect for the natural environment.
• Showing social, professional and ethical responsibility and sensitivity to gender issues.
• Production of free, creative and inductive thinking.

Teaching Methods

• In the classroom, face to face.

Use of ICT means

• Basic software (windows, word, power point, the web, etc.).
• Support of learning process through the electronic platform / e-class.

Teaching Organization

Students Evaluation

Final examination that consists of:

• Short answer questions and essay development
• Answers to exercises, problem solving.
• Written project (for the theoretical part) and soil lab results.
• Presentation of written essays during the semester.
• Oral examination if needed.

The evaluation criteria are given and are accessible to students.

Recommended Bibliography

Ελληνική:

1. ΚΑΛΥΒΑΣ, Δ., (2003): Εδαφολογία – Αξιολόγηση εδαφών, τοποκλιματικές συνθήκες και κρασί. Εκδόσεις ΙΩΝ, Αθήνα, ISBN 960-411-336-4.
2. ΜΗΤΣΙΟΣ, Ι.Κ., (2001): Εδαφολογία. Εκδόσεις ZYMEL, Αθήνα, ISBN 960-7116-18-6.
3. ΠΑΣΧΑΛΙΔΗΣ, Χ., (2005): Εδαφολογία – Εργαστηριακές ασκήσεις. Εκδόσεις Έμβρυο, Αθήνα, ISBN 960-8002-38-9.

Ξενόγλωσση:

1. ASHMAN, M.R., PURI, G., (2000): “Essential Soil Science: A Clear and Concise Introduction to Soil Science”. Blackwell Publishing, ISBN 0632048859, 9780632048854.
2. GLADSTONES, J., (2000): “Viticulture and Environment”, Winetitles Australia, ISBN 1875130128.
3. HARPSTEAD, M.I., SAUER, T.J., BENNETT, W.F., (2001): “Soil Science Simplified”, Blackwell Publishing, ISBN 0813829429, 9780813829425.