PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

To provide learners with knowledge on soil chemical properties and how they relate to soil fertility and plant nutrition

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course the learner should be able to:

Describe the chemistry of soil constituents and processes and relate them to soil fertility
Conduct laboratory analyses of chemical characteristics of soil and media

Modify soil chemical properties to suit crop production

Discuss the relationship between Soil flora and fauna and soil chemical properties

COURSE CONTENT

Soil minerals: Soil mineral formation, weathering and distribution Cation and anion exchange in soils. Soil solution. Soil reaction; soil buffering capacity, soil acidity and alkalinity management. Oxido-reduction in soils. Salinity and sodicity; sources, characterization and reclamation. Soil organic matter; decomposition and classification, influence on soil properties. Soil organisms and their influence on soil properties and characteristics.