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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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Soil 320: Soil Fertility And Plant Nutrition Question Paper

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