Information Package / Course Catalogue
Soil Health and Regenerative Farming Practices in Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Course Code: ZTO534
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Second Cycle (Master's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 2
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 6
Objectives of the Course

To evaluate soil physical properties and regenerative agriculture practices in climate-resilient agriculture within the framework of BCI (Better Cotton) standards and regenerative agriculture practices; and to examine their relationships with soil health, carbon sequestration, water management, certain biological activities, and climate change, both theoretically and practically.

Course Content

The concept of soil health and the principles of regenerative agriculture; soil texture, structure, and aggregate stability; soil organic matter and the carbon cycle; soil water-holding capacity and water efficiency; soil compaction and erosion management; soil biological activity, soil-plant-water-climate interaction; carbon sequestration and climate change; BCI sustainable cotton production standards; soil health indicators and monitoring methods; regenerative agriculture practices (cover cropping, minimum tillage, rotation, etc.), carbon footprint in agricultural production.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.It can explain soil health and regenerative agriculture principles.
2.The physical properties of the soil can be evaluated in terms of sustainable production.
3.It can interpret soil water management and carbon sequestration processes.
4.It can implement BCI and sustainable agriculture standards.
5.It can develop solutions to soil-related environmental risks.
6.Regenerative agriculture principles can be used in sustainable agricultural decisions.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.ÖZTÜRK, H. H. (2024). Sürdürülebilir Tarımsal Üretim. Akademisyen Kitabevi.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
The concept of soil health
Week 1 - Practice
Studies on this topic both globally and in our country will be presented via slides and videos.
Week 2 - Theoretical
Principles of regenerative agriculture
Week 2 - Practice
Studies on this topic both globally and in our country will be presented via slides and videos.
Week 3 - Theoretical
Soil physical properties and sustainable production.
Week 3 - Practice
Demonstration of farming practices
Week 4 - Theoretical
Soil health indicators and monitoring methods
Week 4 - Practice
Carbon footprint calculation
Week 5 - Theoretical
Advantages and disadvantages of conservation and regenerative agriculture practices.
Week 5 - Practice
Inviting experts
Week 6 - Theoretical
Climate change - BCI standards
Week 6 - Practice
Inviting experts
Week 7 - Theoretical
Carbon sequestration and climate change
Week 7 - Practice
Laboratory Organic Matter analysis and carbon stock calculation
Week 8 - Theoretical
Soil compaction and erosion management
Week 8 - Practice
Demonstration of soil compaction in the field.
Week 9 - Theoretical
BCI sustainable cotton production standards
Week 9 - Practice
Inviting experts
Week 10 - Theoretical
Water retention and water efficiency in soil.
Week 10 - Practice
Demonstration of soil watering in the laboratory.
Week 11 - Theoretical
Soil organic matter and the carbon cycle.
Week 11 - Practice
Laboratory Organic matter analysis and carbon stock calculation
Week 12 - Theoretical
The importance of soil biology and microbial activity in conservation and regenerative agriculture.
Week 12 - Practice
Soil Respiration Analysis
Week 13 - Theoretical
Carbon footprint in agricultural production
Week 13 - Practice
Microbial biomass analysis
Week 14 - Theoretical
Soil health monitoring methods
Week 14 - Practice
Biochemical methods in monitoring soil health, submission of homework
Week 16 - Preparation Work
Week 17 - Preparation Work
Week 18 - Preparation Work
Week 19 - Preparation Work
Week 20 - Preparation Work
Week 21 - Preparation Work
Week 22 - Preparation Work
Week 23 - Preparation Work
Week 24 - Preparation Work
Week 25 - Preparation Work
Week 26 - Preparation Work
Week 27 - Preparation Work
Week 28 - Preparation Work
Week 29 - Preparation Work
Week 30 - Preparation Work
Week 31 - Preparation Work
Week 32 - Preparation Work
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Attending Lectures1%5
Assignment1%5
Midterm Examination1%20
Final Examination1%70
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142256
Lecture - Practice142256
Assignment210122
Midterm Examination1718
Final Examination1718
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)150
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes