DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:

 The objective of this course is to equip the students with the knowledge about nutritional importance and environmental hazards of trace elements in agriculture

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Sources and bio-geo-chemistry of trace elements, bioavailability and toxicity and environmental contamination issues are discussed. This course will equip the students with expertise about nutritional importance and environmental hazards of trace elements in agriculture.

COURSE CONTENTS:
1. Introduction
2. Use of trace elements as commercial fertilizers. Trace elements status of Pakistan soils and their
response to various crops.
3. Micronutrients: Forms in soils and factors affecting their availability
4. Trace elements in agriculture (B, Cl, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn): Nutritional aspects,
availability, deficiency, toxicity and interaction.
5. Critical limits and functions in plants and their mobility.
6. Trace elements pollutants (Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se and V) in terrestrial and
atmospheric eco-systems and their effects on plants, animal and human health.
7. Study of National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) in soil and water.
Practical:
1. Analytical test of trace elements in soil and plant.
2. Deficiency and toxicity symptoms

READINGS:

1. Adriano, D.C. 2001. Trace elements in the Terrestrial Environment: Biogeochemistry, Bioavailability and Risks of Metals. Springer –Verlag New York, Inc. USA. 2. Bell, R.W. and B. Dell. 2008. Micronutrients for Sustainable Food, Feed, Fiber and Bio-energy Production. International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA), Paris, France. 3. Kabata – Pendias, A. and H. Pendias. 2001. Trace Elements in Soils and Plants. 3rd Ed. CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, FL, USA. 4. Mortvedt, J.J. F.R. Cox, L.M. Shuman and R.M. Welch. 1991. Micronutrients in Agriculture. 2nd Ed. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Inc., Madison, WI, USA. 5. Westermann, R. L. 1990. Soil Testing and Plant Analysis. 3rd Ed. Soil Science Society of America, Inc. Madison, Wisconsin, USA. 6. Carter, M.R. and E.G. Gregorid (eds.). 2008. Soil Sampling and Methods of Analysis. 2nd Ed. Taylor &Fancis Groups, Boca Raton, FL, USA.