General Agriculture

Numerous methods have been developed for the analysis of plant tissue. Most procedure require that the organic matter be burned away first, leaving the various… Read More »Laboratory Analysis of Plant Samples Techniques

The validity and usefulness of any chemical plant analysis is dependent on how representative the plant tissue sample is. A poor sample can result in… Read More »Methods of Sampling Plant Tissue

The limiting values often decrease in course of time, the highest values are generally found in very young plants. This is due to the “dilution”… Read More »Problems Associated with Plant Analysis

Critical Concentrations Critical nutrient concentrations are the different relations that exist between plant growth rates (yields) and nutrient supply and concentrations in the plant tissue… Read More »Principles of Plant Analysis Data Interpretation

The aim of plant analysis is to investigate the composition of plant tissue, both in terms of its elements and its extractable fractions. Plant tissue… Read More »General Purpose of Plant Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool

Find the soil that has a low level of nutrient so that it is used as a starting point for nutrient additions. Select at least… Read More »Steps in Conducting Soil Test Calibration and Fertilizer Recommendation

The purpose of soil test correlation is to develop an extraction procedure for a particular nutrient. Therefore, we estimate our results and try to correlate… Read More »Soil Test Correlation and Calibration

In soil chemical analysis, about 2 to 10g of soil is generally being analysed and this is taken as representative of a soil of one… Read More »Soil Sampling Procedures

In order to obtain fertilizer recommendations from soil test data, the following information is required: The functional curve (fertilizer response curve) between soil data (available… Read More »The Interpretation of Soil Test Data

The methods must be precise, reliable, simple, and cheap. Accuracy refers to the correctness of the method while precision refers to the reproducibility of an… Read More »Characteristics of Soil Analytical Methods for Practical Advisory Work

Fertilizer nutrient use efficiency by field crops depends on very reliable and economic fertilizer recommendations. The knowledge of the number of soil reserves of plant… Read More »General Principles of Soil Analysis and Soil Testing

The importance of water as a factor affecting crop production cannot be overemphasized. Large expanse of dry but fertile land could be brought into productive… Read More »Water in the Soil-Plant System: Importance and Uses of Water to Plants

The mechanisms of absorption of nutrient ions into the root cells continue to be a subject of research by plant nutritionists. Nutrients move into the… Read More »Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake into Plant Cell

Nutrient elements in form of dissolved ions in soil solution have to come in contact with the plant roots for uptake to take place. This… Read More »How Nutrients Get to the Root Surface into Plant Cell

Plant roots perform double functions of anchoring the plants firmly to the soil and as organs for nutrients and water absorption. A nutrient element that… Read More »Nutrient Uptake by Plant Roots (The Rhizosphere)

A nutrient elements such as nitrogen or zinc is referred to as an essential element if it satisfies the three conditions stated below: The deficiency… Read More »Plant Nutrient Essentiality for Proper Growth

The growth and general performance of any plant depend on an adequate supply of environmental factors including the sixteen elements currently known to be essential.… Read More »Plant Growth Nutrient Requirements and Factors Affecting Plant Growth and Development

The processes of surveying and mapping enable us to recognize and correlate different soil categories. Soil surveying is the process of studying and mapping the… Read More »The Procedures of Soil Survey (Soil surveying)

Before soils could be classified, knowledge of individual soils which constitute the group is very essential. A soil survey makes us know the properties of… Read More »Concept, Definition, and Types of Soil Survey

In general, two broad kinds of soil classification are recognized; a Natural or Taxonomic Classification also termed scientific classification, and a Technical Classification. A Natural… Read More »The Systems of Soil Classification

Owing to the existence of several thousands of types of soils throughout the world, it is necessary to classify them into groups that have similar… Read More »Concept and Definition of Soil Classification

Soil physics is a branch of soil science that deals with the study of soil physical conditions. It is necessary that persons dealing with soil… Read More »Physical Properties of Soils (Soil Physical Properties)

Compost is of high value in agriculture and horticulture for improving soil structure and water retention property of the soil and for supplying plant nutrients… Read More »Benefits of Composting Organic Waste Materials

There are different methods of composting organic materials. For the purpose of this class we are going to concentrate only on Indore method. Here, compost… Read More »Methods of Composting Organic Waste Materials

1. Materials for composting Materials used for composting should be all organic materials. In general, any type of organic materials that are of plant and… Read More »The Practice of Composting Organic Waste Materials

The decomposition of organic wastes in soil occurs naturally at ambient temperature to produce humus. The humification process occurs very slowly in soil. It takes… Read More »Process of Composting Organic Waste Materials

Organic matter affects both the biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil and hence its fertility and health. Some of the soil properties influenced… Read More »Effect of Organic Matter on Soil Physical Properties

Organic matter affects both the biological, chemical ,and physical properties of the soil and hence its fertility and health. Some of the soil properties influenced… Read More »Effect of Organic Matter on Soil Chemical Properties

Organic matter affects both the biological, chemical, and physical properties of the soil and hence its fertility and health. Some of the soil properties influenced… Read More »Effect of Organic Matter on Soil Biological Properties

Organic matter affects soil properties of the soil and its overall health. Properties influenced by organic matter include: soil structure; moisture holding capacity; diversity and… Read More »Role of Organic Matter in Soil Fertility

Agricultural practices can have either positive or negative impacts on soil organisms. Land management and agricultural practices alter the composition of soil biota communities at… Read More »Beneficial Vs Harmful Organisms in Agricultural Soils

The easiest and most widely used system for classifying soil organisms is by using body size and dividing them into three main groups: macrobiota, mesobiota,… Read More »Classification of Soil Organism

Soil organisms represent a large fraction of global terrestrial biodiversity. They carry out a range of processes important for soil health and fertility in soils… Read More »Categories and Characteristics of Soil Organism

The following are the major factors affecting organic matter decomposition; 1. Climate Climate, i.e. precipitation and temperature, influence the amount and type of vegetation as… Read More »Factors Affecting Organic Matter Decomposition

Most soil organic matter originates from plant tissue. Plant residues contain 60-90 percent moisture. The remaining dry matter consists of carbon (C), oxygen, hydrogen (H),… Read More »Components of Soil Organic Matter

Many times, organic matter is considered as the plant and animal residues incorporated into the soil. This is actually organic material, not organic matter. Organic… Read More »Organic Matter Decomposition in Soil

Producers must strive to integrate all considerations relating to the well-being and productivity of their animals with those relating to cost-effectiveness. Success in this regard… Read More »Economic Considerations for Proper Livestock Management

This article provides a wrap-up of information required to further proper livestock management or establish a livestock enterprise bearing in mind the important economic factors… Read More »General Management Considerations in Livestock Management

In contrast to macronutrients, micronutrient elements are required by plants in small quantities. Micronutrients in general have several characteristics in common and their behaviors, both… Read More »Forms and Functions of Micronutrients

The following are the major characteristics of micronutrients; They are present in small amounts in the earth’s crust and surface soils. The range is about… Read More »General Characteristics of Micronutrients

In a routine analysis for advisory purposes, attention is paid mainly to available –P,-K-Mg, pH, and lime requirements. Potassium and Magnesium Exchangeable Potassium K+ is… Read More »Analytical Methods for Available Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium

1. Amount and Functions of Magnesium in Plants Magnesium is absorbed by plant roots as divalent cation, Mg2+; and the concentration in tissue is between… Read More »Forms and Functions of Magnesium in Plants

Amounts and Functions of Calcium in Plants Calcium is taken up as a divalent cation, Ca2+, by plants. Plant Ca varies between 0.1 and 0.5%… Read More »Forms and Functions of Calcium in Plants

Another group of essential nutrient elements are the secondary nutrients; that is sulphur (S), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). These elements must be supplied to… Read More »Forms and Functions of Sulphur in Plants

The following are the factors affecting the availability and fixation of potassium soils; 1. Nature of Soil Colloids The dominant clay species in soil determines… Read More »Factors Affecting Availability and Fixation of Potassium Soils

After nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium is the third most important fertilizer nutrient, especially in the more humid climatic areas of southern Nigeria where leaching of… Read More »Forms and Functions of Potassium in Plants

The factors affecting solubility and fixation of phosphorus in soils include the following. Soil pH Phosphate retention or fixation in acid soils is due to… Read More »Factors Affecting Solubility and Fixation of Phosphorus in Soils

This is the ability of the liming material to neutralize acidity. It is the amount of acid neutralized by the molecular weight of a liming… Read More »Neutralizing Value of Liming Materials

The pH values of soil are an excellent single indicator of general soil conditions. The pH value is usually determined by shaking a sample of… Read More »Measurement of Soil Acidity and Liming Practice

The pH of soils affects the growth activity of soil microorganisms. For example, bacteria and actinomycetes are known to function properly at pH above 5.5,… Read More »The Effect of pH of Soils on Micro-organisms

The major importance of soil acidity includes the following: 1. Availability of Plant Nutrients Soil acidity affects the availability of most soil nutrients especially phosphorus,… Read More »7 Main Importance of Soil Acidity

The following ways are how soil becomes acidic; Decomposition of Soil Organic Matter (SOM) A recent report on the effect of organic matter on soil… Read More »Steps on How Soil Become Acidic

Soil reaction (pH) seems to be the single soil chemical condition that most strongly affects the environment of farm crops and soil micro-organisms. It is… Read More »Soil Reaction: Meaning, Acidity, and Liming

Below are some of the constraints to the maintenance of organic matter in soils; 1. Competing Alternative Uses In addition to soil incorporation and as… Read More »Constraints to the Maintenance of Organic Matter in Soils

The politicization of the distribution of inorganic chemical fertilizers makes the role of organic matter as a source of plant nutrients more desirable. Furthermore, the… Read More »General Importance of Soil Organic Matter

Favorable conditions for microbial growth and activity have to be ensured before the rate of decomposition can move fast and consequently maximize the use of… Read More »Factors Affecting the Decomposition of Organic Matter in Soil

Conversion of ammonium to nitrate (NO–3) nitrogen. Ammonium is first converted to nitrite as in the equation: above with the activity of Nitrosomonas bacteria, a… Read More »Roles of Microorganisms in Organic Matter Transformation

Soil organic matter is the organic component of the soil. It consists of all parts of living and dead plants and animals, micro-and macro-organisms, and… Read More »Sources, Composition, Decomposition, and Mineralization of Soil Organic Matter and Soil Organisms

In order to achieve maximum seed germination and growth, soil temperatures must be at optimum. Crops have different optimum temperatures for germination and growth. For… Read More »Soil Temperature and Plant Growth

The adoption of drainage techniques to remove excess water and allow free circulation of air is the most important management measure to make waterlogged or… Read More »Practical Application of Redox Reaction in Agriculture

The following are the effects of redox reactions in anaerobic soils on nutrient availability and plant growth; Reduction Reactions Set in under anaerobic conditions when… Read More »Effect of Redox Reactions in Anaerobic Soils on Nutrient Availability and Plant Growth

Effects of Redox Reaction in Aerated Soils on Nutrient Availability and Plant Growth: The redox potential, Eh of most soils under aerobic situations and under… Read More »Effects of Redox Reaction in Aerated Soils on Nutrient Availability and Plant Growth

Soil Aeration on Biological Activities and Plant Growth: The composition of soil air affects the activities of soil micro-organisms, nutrient availability to plants, respiration, and… Read More »Soil Aeration on Biological Activities and Plant Growth

The following are some of the conditions that affect soil air composition; 1. Organic Matter and Biological Activity in Soil In tropical soils, there is… Read More »4 Conditions that Affect Soil Air Composition

Status of Soil Aeration and Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Potentials (Eh): There must be an interchange of gases between plants’ root hairs and the soil atmosphere if… Read More »Status of Soil Aeration and Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Potentials (Eh)

Movement of Nutrients in Soil Moisture and Measuring Soil Water: Nutrients dissolved in the soil solution move with it, and so when moisture moves by… Read More »Movement of Nutrients in Soil Moisture and Measuring Soil Water

Absorption of Water by Plants and the Role of Water in Nutrient Absorption: Moistures enter plant roots by the process of osmosis, which may be… Read More »Absorption of Water by Plants and the Role of Water in Nutrient Absorption

Forces that Influence Soil Water A number of forces influence the way water behaves in the soil. The most obvious is the gravitational force, which… Read More »Availability of Water to the Soil-Plant System

Soils colloids are soil particles (organic and inorganic) that carry charges on their surfaces. They are also referred to as surface-active materials in the soil.… Read More »Colloidal Materials of Soils and Cation Exchange Reactions

The major sources of phosphorus in soil are parent material (the apatite group of primary minerals), plant and animal residues and inorganic fertilizers. Total soil… Read More »Forms of Phosphorus in Soil and Phosphorus Deficiency and Toxicity

Phosphorus, P, is the second most critical element influencing plant growth and production throughout the world. Phosphorus is taken up by plants from soil solution… Read More »Forms and Functions of Phosphorus in Plants

The Fertilizer Placement methods to use depends on the crop, cropping system, nature of fertilizer materials, labor cost among others. 1. Broadcast The fertilizer is… Read More »Recommended Fertilizer Placement Methods

Scientists can learn a lot about a soil’s composition and origin by examining various features of the soil. Colour, texture, aggregation, porosity, ion content, and pH are all important… Read More »Essential Characteristics of Soils

Two main processes lead to the formation of soil (loosed and unconsolidated) from rocks (hard and consolidated). The first is the physical aspect which does… Read More »Processes of Soil Formation

Some soils are similar but many are different to various degrees. It is important to understand the relationship between soils and the basic factors that… Read More »The Different Factors of Soil Formation

A soil develops from all kinds of rocks, deposits in lakes, rivers, and glacials, and wind-blown silt or sand which are all referred to as parent… Read More »The Origin and Development of Soil (Soil Genesis)

A man was created from the dust (soil) and from that creation man had depended on soil for prosperity and survival. To a certain degree… Read More »The Different Uses of Soils

Soils comprise a mixture of inorganic and organic components: Minerals, air, water, and plant and animal material. Mineral and organic particles generally compose roughly 50… Read More »Composition of Soils and Soil Materials

More recently, the soil has come to be recognized as a 3 – dimensional body having length, depth as well as breadth. This has given… Read More »Concept of Soil Morphology

The study of the soil is generally divided into two parts: Field study and Laboratory study. 1. Field Study A description (quantitative and qualitative) of… Read More »Approaches to the Study of the Soil

Soil is composed mainly of mineral particles, organic matter, organisms, air pores, and water all of which relate to one another and with plants and… Read More »Concept, Morphology and Definition of Soil