Universidad de Jaén

PART 1: The soil concept. Lection 1: Introduction.

PART 2: Genesis of olive grove soils. Lection 2: Morphology of agricultural soils. Lection 3: Mediterranean soil forming processes. Lection 4: Soil forming factors in olive groves.

PART 3. Components and properties of olive grove soils. Lection 5: Soil components. Lection 6: Physical properties of soils. Lection 7: The physical environment of olive tree roots. Lection 8: Physicochemical and chemical properties of soils. Lection 9: The chemical environment of olive tree roots. Lection 10: Influence of organic matter in soil properties of olive groves. Lection 11: Chemical soil fertility.

PART 4. Soil science applied to olive groves. Lection 12: Soil survey and classification of olive grove soils. Lection 13: Soil degradation in olive groves. Lection 14: Soil water conservation in olive groves. Lection 15: Reclamation of olive grove degraded soils. Lection 16: Evaluation of olive groves soils.

Lab practices. Session 1: Soil texture. Session 2: soil pH, electric conductivity and gypsum analysis. Session 3: Soil organic matter. Session 4: Total carbonates and fine lime determination.

Technical meeting. Visit to an organic olive grove farm.

During the lectures, the contents and scope of the subject will be presented in a reasoned way, giving real examples of soil management practices in various situations (eg. conventional and organic olive groves). Also, a critical discuss of the recommended bibliography will be done. In the lab session, basic measurements of soil fertility on specific olive grove samples will be introduced to the students. It will work on solving exercises and preparing reports (preferably single type), under the premise of teacher-student interactivity.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

The most important part of the evaluation will be done through a written exam, although it will be very important the involvement of students through questions in class, delivery of solved exercises and preparation and presentation of additional work.