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Soil Fertility Question Paper

Soil Fertility

Course:Bachelor Of Environmental Studies

Institution: Kenyatta University question papers

Exam Year:2009

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2008/2009
SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR
OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (RESOURCE CONSERVATION)
ERC 302: SOIL FERTILITY

DATE: Monday 6th April, 2009
TIME: 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.

INSTRUCTIONS
Answer question one and any other three.

1.
a)
Write short notes on the following terms: [10 marks]
i)
Nutrient cycling
ii)
Rock phosphate
iii)
Nitrogen fixation
iv)
Eutrophication
v)
Aluminium toxicity
b)
You are the agricultural extension officer in Kakamega, clearly explain how you would facilitate small scale farmers to identify their soil fertility status. [15 marks]
2.
a)
Explain why farmers should take their soils for chemical analysis. [8 marks]
b)
Discuss the various soil organic matter pools in the soil. [7 marks]
3.
Phosphorus is an important nutrient for plant growth, discuss the factors affecting its availability to plants. [15 marks]
4.
Giving examples, discuss the major constraints in the tropical soils and how the small scale farmers can overcome them. [15 marks]
5.
A farmer from Magadi has approached you to help him manage his saline and sodic soils, clearly explain to him what do. [15 marks]