Agriculture Lessons

  What is meant by a soil crumb? Soil crumbs are referred to as the large pieces of aggregated soil present as lumps. . They need to be crushed and grounded and this is done while ploughing and tilling of land before land is prepared for sowing.  .This is done with the help of iron leveller or wooden plank in smaller areas or power tillers in large areas.  .This is done so that there is proper space for roots to penetrate, for better air circulation and good germination of seedlings.                        Soil crumb sample Importance of forming a good crumb structure for optimum plant growth 1. Conducive to air circulation The larger pores between the granules are conducive to air circulation. The internal pores of the granules are dominated by water-holding pores. This kind of pore creates favorable conditions for the coordination of soil water, fertilizer, gas, and heat. 2. As a small reservoir of crop roots. ...

  Describe the main characteristics of Clay soil, Sand soil, and Loam soil Clay soils are heavy, high in nutrients, wet and cold in winter and baked dry in summer Characteristics   . Poor drainage  . Difficult to cultivate because the soil is sticky when wet. . High organic content . Poor aerated due to particles closely packed together  . Has blocky structure  Sandy soils are light, dry, warm, low in nutrients and often acidic Characteristics   . Low water holding capacity  . Low fertility . Fast drainage because of large particles  . Easy to cultivate  . It is structureless   Loams are mixtures of clay, sand and silt that avoid the the extreme of each type.                                    Loam soil Characteristics   . Right amount of air . Rich in organic matter . Easy to cultivate  . It has a crumb structure Click on the link below f...

Define the term weathering     Refers to the process by which rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller particles or altered in composition due to various natural forces. It is a key component in the rock cycle and contributes to soil formation. Identify the agents of physical, chemical and biological weathering and describe how soil is formed through these three processes  Physical Weathering: Definition: Physical weathering, also known as mechanical weathering, involves the breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments without changing their chemical composition. Agents: Temperature changes: Expansion and contraction due to heating and cooling. Freeze-thaw cycles: Water entering cracks in rocks and freezing, expanding, and causing the rock to break. Abrasion: Physical grinding by particles carried by wind, water, or ice. Root growth: Plant roots growing into rock crevices and causing fragmentation. Chemical Weathering: Definition: Chemical weathering involves the alte...

  Water cycle What is water cycle? .Refers to the ongoing movement of water in the Earth's atmosphere through a number of different processes, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration and runoff. Describe the water cycle    The water cycle operates as follows:  1. Evaporation:  Water from rivers, lakes, oceans, and other bodies of water is heated by the sun and turns into water vapor, which rises into the atmosphere.  2. Condensation:  As water vapor rises and cools, it condenses into tiny droplets, forming clouds in the atmosphere.  3. Precipitation:  These droplets combine and grow heavy enough to fall back to Earth as precipitation, which takes the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.   4. Infiltration:  Water seeps into the earth and becomes groundwater, which travels through subsurface layers of rock and soil.  5. Runoff:  Water travels over the ground and returns to seas and lakes, ready t...

  Discuss ways of adding value to Agricultural products for sustainability  .By freezing  . drying  . canning , etc Freezing                   Frozen vegetables   .Freezing helps maintain the nutritional quality of fruits, vegetables, and meats by slowing down the enzymatic processes that cause spoilage. .Frozen products last much longer than fresh ones, reducing the frequency of harvests and transportation, which lowers carbon footprints. Drying                             Dried fish .Drying removes moisture, which inhibits the growth of spoilage organisms, thus extending the shelf life of products like fruits, vegetables, and herbs. .Dried products are lighter and more compact, which reduces storage space and transportation costs. .Drying can retain much of the nutritional value of the produce, though some sensitive vitamins may be reduced. C...