Soil 320: Soil Fertility And Plant Nutrition Question Paper
Soil 320: Soil Fertility And Plant Nutrition
Course:Bachelor Of Science In Agricultural Extension & Education
Institution: Chuka University question papers
Exam Year:2013
CHUKA
UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
SECOND YEAR EXAMINATIONS FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE IN BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION & EDUCATION
SOIL 320: SOIL FERTILITY AND PLANT NUTRITION
STREAMS: BSC AGED Y2SI TIME: 2 HOURS
DAY/DATE: FRIDAY 19/4/2013 8.30 AM – 10.30AM
INSTRUCTIONS:
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN SECTION I AND ANY TWO IN SECTION II
SECTION I: 30 MARKS
1. (a) Giving two examples of each distinguish between macronutrients from
micronutrients. [3 Marks]
(b) What are soil colloids? [1 Mark]
(c) State and briefly explain any three properties of soil colloids. [6 Marks]
2. (a) What is cation exchange capacity? Briefly explain. [3 Marks]
(b) In relation to CEC what is base saturation? Assume a soil sample has 0.5 meq of
K, 2.1 meq Ca, 0.4 meq of Mg and a CEC of 4.0 meq/100g, calculate the base saturation. [4 Marks]
3. (a) Briefly explain three reasons why excess N application decreases yield in crop
production. [3 Marks]
(b) Nitrogen deficiency symptoms were observed on a maize crop in a farmer’s field within Karingani where organic matter had been applied. Explain this state and how it could have been corrected. [3 Marks]
4. (a) Distinguish between immobilization and mineralization of soil nitrogen.
[3 Marks]
(b) State any two functions of phosphorus in plant development. [2 Marks]
(c) State four copper deficiency symptoms. [2 Marks]
SECTION II: 40 MARKS
5. (a) With example of K+ briefly explain the process of equilibrium and buffering
within the soil. [5 Marks]
(b) Briefly explain nutrient availability and PH. [4 Marks]
(c) Briefly discuss timing of fertilizer application in reference to nitrogen.
[6 Marks]
(d) Explain salt damage. [5 Marks]
6. (a) State and briefly explain four ways through which Nitrogen is lost form an
agricultural system. [12 Marks]
(b) Explain biological nitrogen fixation. [4 Marks]
(c) Briefly explain phosphorus fixation in soils. [4 Marks]
7. (a) Discuss the three basic methods in which nutrients make contact with the root
surface for plant uptake. [12 Marks]
(b) Briefly explain the importance of the following components of a nutrient
management plan.
(i) Amount of nutrient applied [4 Marks]
(ii) Placement of the nutrient. [4 Marks]
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