APT04111: SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT
COURSE CONTENTS
1. Soil components
(a) Define terms related to soil
(b) Identify components of soil (Mineral matter, organic matters, soil water and soil air)
(c) Explain the advantage of soil components in crop production
(d) Identify soil horizon layers on soil profile
(e) Asses soil layers (eluviations and illuviation processes in crop growth)
(f) Describe the effects of eluviations and illuviation processes in crop growth)
2. Soil Formation and Development
(a) Define terms related to soil forming factors
(b) Identify soil formation factors (parent materials, weathering, time, organism and climate)
(c) Determine factors influencing soil formation
(d) Describe soil formation processes (Dissolution, hydration and hydrolysis, acidification and oxidation)
3. Physical and chemical properties of soils Their Influence on Soil Fertility
(a) Define terms related to soil properties
(b) Identify physical properties of soil (Bulk density, porosity, void ratio, soil wetness, soil textures, soil structures
(c) Identify soil textural classes by soil texture triangle. (Sand, clay and loam)
(d) Identify methods for soil moisture content
(e) determination (feel, appearance and moisture meter)
(f) Determine soil moisture
(g) Assess the effect of soil moisture content in crop production
Identify chemical properties of soil
4. Determination of soil and water pH
(a) Define terms related to salt affected soil/pH
(b) Conduct field visit
(c) Observe irrigation water quality and soil pH level
(d) Determine effects of PH in crop production
(e) Carry out soil and water sampling to determine pH
(f) Assess the liming requirement on soil
(g) Carry out liming in soil to the affected soil
5. Diagnosis of plant nutrients deficiency
(a) Identify physical and chemical properties of soil.
(b) Determine physical properties of soil
(c) Determine soil textural classes by soil texture triangle.
(d) Assess the effects of physical and chemical properties of soil in plant nutrition
(e) Carryout plant nutrition diagnosis (Visual, Plant analysis, Soil test)
6. Organic and inorganic fertilizers in improving soil fertility
(a) Identify fertilizers, (organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer)
(b) Observe different types of organic fertilizer (Farmyard manure, composite manure, green yard manure,)
(c) Prepare organic manure (Farm yard manure, compost manure, green yard manure
(d) Determine fertilizer requirement in various crops.
(e) Exercise fertilizer calculation to obtain the recommended rate for field application.
(f) Use methods of fertilizer application (spot, bund, ring, broadcasting and foliar application)
(g) Identify fertilizers used in fertigation system
Carry out fertigation in drip irrigated crops
7. Identification of nutrient deficient symptoms in crops
(a) Carry out field visit and observe different nutrient deficiency symptoms (Chlorosis, Necrosis, stunting, firing and purplish)
(b) Carry out plant observation to identify essential element deficiency on plant parts (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Magnesium Calcium)
(c) Determine the effect of nutrient deficiency on plant growth.
(d) Assess macro and micronutrient deficiency symptoms on production field
(e) Determine corrective measures of deficiency symptoms on plants
8. Rapid fertility assessment techniques in determining plant nutrient deficiency in crop
(a) Define terms related to plant nutrients
(b) Explain local indicators for identification of soil nutrient problems (soil colour, crop performance, yield trend)
(c) Perform plant sampling for rapid nutrient analysis
(d) Carryout rapid nutrient analysis.
(e) Carry out soil sampling for rapid test
(f) Perform a field rapid test on (pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium) using soil kit
(g) Prepare report provide recommendations
Practicals
Soil moisture and textural classes determination
Plant and soil sampling for rapid nutrient analysis
- Teacher: Noel Gibson