Production of this course was made possible in part by the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada.
Module 1: Nutrients and Organic Crops
What are the essential nutrients for organic crops? Does your soil have enough nutrients to sustain organic crop production? After completing this module, students will:
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- Know the forms and amounts of nutrients required by crops
- Understand the factors that control the nutrient supply to crops
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- Be able to use soil test results, field observations and plant analysis to determine the nutrient requirements of crops
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Module 2: Fertilizers for Organic Crops
What fertilizers and soil amendments are acceptable for organic crop production? Which organic fertilizer is right for my crop? What is the best time to apply organic fertilizer, and how much do I add? After completing this module, students will:
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- Be acquainted with the “Organic Production Systems Permitted Substances List” published by the Canadian General Standards Board
- Know how to select organic fertilizers and amendments, and calculate the amounts required for organic crop production
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- Be aware of best management practices for organic fertilizer use
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Module 3: Basics of Soil Biology
What are the functions of the bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, micro-arthropods and earthworms living in your soil? After completing this module, students will:
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- Appreciate the biological diversity in soils
- Know some factors that affect the occurrence and activity of soil biota
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- Be able to describe the importance of soil organisms in decomposition, nutrient cycling and soil structure
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Module 4: The Soil Foodweb and Nutrient Management
How does the soil foodweb contribute to nutrient uptake by organic crops? What application methods are recommended for organic fertilizers? What are some soil amendments and organic agriculture practices that favor these beneficial soil organisms? After completing this module, students will:
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- Know how the soil foodweb organisms are involved in decomposition and contribute to nutrient uptake by crops
- Understand how to apply organic fertilizers to maximize nutrient uptake by crops
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- Be aware of best management practices for nutrients applied in organic agriculture
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Module 5: Biocontrol Opportunities and the Soil Foodweb
Does a ‘balanced’ soil foodweb help protect organic crops from pests and diseases? Can ‘biocontrol organisms’ be identified and introduced to organic production systems to improve plant health and crop quality? After completing this module, students will:
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- Understand the ecological interactions among soil foodweb organisms and some crop pests
- Know how organic agricultural practices affect biocontrol organisms
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- Know about biocontrol substances and organisms that can be introduced as crop production aids in organic agriculture systems s
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