DCP1104 Soils and Soil Improvement

This course involves the study of the origin, morphology distribution and properties of soils. It also involves the study of soils in relation to higher plants including conservation and improving soil productivity.

Course Objectives

• To explain the importance of soil in agriculture
• To describe the origin and properties of soils
• To enlighten the students on the practices that maintains soil fertility and consequently conserves soil.

Learning outcomes
At the end of this course the student should be able to:

• Describe the origin and formation of soils
• Classify soils according to their properties and capability and carry out simple tests on soils to determine their properties.
• Describe the different physical and chemical properties of soil while relating them to soil production potential.  
• Identify infertile soils and name nutrients necessary for health growth of crop plants/crops
• Explain the roles of individual nutrients in plant nutrition and the consequent factors affecting soil productivity
• Improve the fertility of exhausted and degraded soils.