Nar0140:Soil Genesis And Classification Question Paper
Nar0140:Soil Genesis And Classification
Course:Diploma In Agriculture
Institution: Meru University Of Science And Technology question papers
Exam Year:2011
QUESTION ONE – (30 MARKS)
(a) What is soil? (5 Marks) (b) Explain the factors affecting pore space per cent in soil. (5 Marks) (c) Highlight how the following soil structures influence the physical properties of the soil: (i) Soil consistency (ii) Bulk density of the soil (iii)Soil space (iv) Soil colour (v) Soil moisture (10 Marks) (d) Explain the chemical processes of soil weathering. (10 Marks)
QUESTION TWO – (15 MARKS)
(a) Explain the factors of soil formation processes. (10 Marks) (b) Describe how soil water is classified in relation to the plant growth. (5 Marks)
QUESTION THREE – (15 MARKS)
(a) What do you understand by the following: (i) Unsaturated flow (ii) Saturated flow (iii)Active transport (iv) Passive absorption (10 Marks) (b) Illustrate the various categories of soil structures. (5 Marks)
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QUESTION FOUR – (15 MARKS)
(a) Describe how the following biological processes occurs (i) Translocation (ii) Humification (iii)Nitrification (iv) Nitrogen fixation (8 Marks) (b) Highlight the various soil types of East Africa and outline their characteristics. (7 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE – (15 MARKS)
(a) Differentiate between sand, silt, clay and loam in terms of their textural properties. (5 Marks) (b) Explain the following terms and their application in agricultural soils. (i) Friability of soil (ii) Stickiness of soil (iii)Hard pans (iv) Cementation (v) Plasticity in soil (10 Marks)
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