WAEC Agricultural Science 1997 Theory question 104

Theory question 104

Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition

(a)(i) State six uses of lime in agriculture. (ii) List four common liming materials.
(b) State: (i) three examples of a nitrogenous fertilizer. (ii) three examples of a phosphorus fertilizer.

Show the model answer
Model answer

(a)(i) Any six: corrects soil acidity (raises pH); supplies calcium (and magnesium); improves soil structure (flocculates clay); increases availability of nutrients such as phosphorus; encourages activity of soil micro-organisms and nitrogen fixation; reduces toxicity of aluminium/manganese/iron; used in fish ponds to correct acidity; used as disinfectant in animal houses
(ii) Any four: ground limestone (calcium carbonate); quick lime (calcium oxide); slaked/hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide); dolomite; marl; wood ash; basic slag
(b)(i) Any three: urea; ammonium sulphate (sulphate of ammonia); ammonium nitrate; calcium ammonium nitrate; sodium nitrate; anhydrous ammonia
(ii) Any three: single superphosphate; triple superphosphate; rock phosphate; basic slag; bone meal; ammonium phosphate

Explanation

Simple lists; give chemical names where you can.