A self-study course from the MSU Extension Service Continuing Education Series

Clain Jones, Extension Soil Fertility Specialist
Dept of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences
Montana State University - Bozeman n Tuesday May 31, 2005

Soil and Water Management  was selected as the second most important topic in a June, 2001 survey of Extension Agents and Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs). Soil scientists in the Dept. of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences created these Soil and Water Management modules, covering such topics as basic soil and water interactions, salinity and sodicity issues, soil erosion, chemical transport, and water use efficiency. Each module includes a quiz that can be taken to enhance your learning, and can be used to obtain Rocky Mountain CCA self-study credits through the American Society of Agronomy. Modules 1-3 have been printed and hard copies are available for free (with small shipping fee) from MSU Extension Publications. The final 2 modules will be completed in the next several months. The modules can also be accessed below as PDF files.

Soil and Water Self-Study Course

• Module 1: Basic Soil Properties.

  In this module, learn about:
  Basic soil properties and relationships between properties
  How soil structure affects water and plant relations
  How management practices influence soil structure, porosity and soil organisms
  How relationships between soil chemical properties relate to exchange capacity, pH and salt-affected soils
  How soil organic matter relates to basic soil properties

  (2005) 4481-1 Free 

  • Module 1 Quiz. Earn 1 CEU credit.

• Module 2: Salinity and Sodicity Management
  
  In this module, learn about:
  How salt-affected soils develop
  Properties of saline, sodic and saline-sodic soils
  How to determine the relative difference of plant tolerances to salts
  Management plans to prevent and reclaim salt-affected soils
  Impacts of methane gas production on soil and water quality in Montana and Wyoming

  (2005) 4481-2 Free 

  • Module 2 Quiz. Earn 1.5 CEU credits.

• Module 3: Managing for Soil Erosion
  
  In this module, learn about:
  Different types of wind and water erosion
  Physical factors that affect the rate of erosion
  How conservation practices impact water erosion and environmental quality
  How residue management and cropping systems affect soil productivity
  How to estimate percent residue

  (2005) 4481-3 Free 

  • Module 3 Quiz. Earn 1.5 CEU credits.

• Module 4: Water and Solute Transport in Soils
  
  In this module, learn about:
  Recognizing the different ways in which water moves through soil
  Understand the effects of management on water movement and solute transport
  List soil and water management practices that reduce solute transport to protect water quality

  (2005) 4481-4 Free 

  • Module 4 Quiz. Earn 1.5 CEU credits.

• Module 5: Plant Water Relations
  
  In this module, learn about:
  Understanding the effects of soil water status on plant nutrients and uptake
  How Climate and soil water affect plant water relations
  Understanding plant physiology as it relates to water stress
  Management practices to increase water use efficiency and maximize yields

  (2005) 4481-5 Free 

  • Module 5 Quiz. Earn 1.5 CEU credits.

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H.Carpenter & C. Jones
Last update 11/14/08