(a) Study specimen E (NPK 15:15:15, F (WOOD ASH), G (LIMESTONE), and H (COWDUNG) and answer the following questions.
(i) State three major nutrients supplied to crops by specimen E
(ii) List three methods that could be used to apply specimen E on a farm
(b) State three agricultural uses of each of specimens F and G
(c) Mention three ways in which specimen H is important to the soil
Explanation
a (i), Major nutrients supplied by specimen E (NPK 15:15:15) -
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
(ii) Methods that could be used to apply specimen E (NPK 15:15:15) on a farm -
- Ring Method Side dressing/placement/row placement
- Top dressing
- Broadcasting
- Foliar spray/ fertigation
- Band placement
(b). Agricultural uses of specimen F and G
Specimen F (Wood ash);
- Liming material to correct soil acidity
- Sprinkled on crops to control insect pests
- Provides nutrients (Potassium) for crop growth
- Used to correct acidity in fish pond
- Used in compost making
- Increases growth to phytoplankton in fish ponds
- Used in controlling pond algae
- Used to increase the rate of percolation in clay soil
Specimen G (Limestone) -
- Supplies calcium for crop growth/adds nutrients to the soil
- Added to the soil to improve its structure
- Used to correct acidity in fish pond water
- Used to reduce turbidity in fish ponds
- Used to reduce soil acidity/1iming material
- Applied to clay to release locked-up nutrients the soil
(c) Importance of specimen H (Cow dung) to the soil;
-
Adds nutrients to the soil
-
Improves soil structure
-
Improves activities of soil microbes
-
Improves soil water holding capacity
-
Prevent rapid changes in temperature
-
Provides buffering effect on the soil pH
-
Improves soil aeration when it decomposes