SS2 Agricultural Science

Plant Nutrient and Nutrient Cycles (continued)

<h1><strong>PLANT NUTRIENTS AND NUTRIENTS CYCLE</strong></h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Nutrient Cycle</li> <li>The Nitrogen Cycle</li> <li>The Carbon Cycle</li> <li>The Phosphorus Cycle</li> <li>Diagram Process of Each Cycle</li> <li>Importance of Each Cycle</li> </ol> <h2>Meaning of Nutrient Cycle</h2> Nutrients cycle refers to the circulation of some nutrients in nature. They occur in the sea, soil, air, forest, etc. <h2>The Nitrogen Cycle</h2> This is the natural process by which nitrogen moves in natural forms to another parts of the environment. <img class="size-full wp-image-52364 aligncenter" src="https://classhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/plant-nutrient-cycle-nitrogen-cycle.jpg" alt="Plant nutrient and nutrient cycle - nitrogen cycle" width="577" height="421" /> <p style="text-align: center;">The Nitrogen Cycle</p> <h3>The Processes of Nitrogen Transformation</h3> Processes of nitrogen transformation include: <ol> <li><strong>Oxidation during lightening</strong>: Nitrogen in the air combines with oxygen to form oxides of nitrogen such as nitric-oxides. Nitrogen peroxide and nitric-oxide. These undergo further oxidation to from nitrogen-dixoide. When this dissolves in water during rain. It forms nitrous acid and nitric acid. These are converted to nitrates and filter into the soil with rain water.</li>

Weeds and Weed Control

<h1>WEEDS AND WEED CONTROL</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Weeds</li> <li>Common Weeds</li> <li>Effects of Weeds on Crops and Economy</li> <li>Economic Importance of Weeds</li> <li>Characteristic Features of Weeds</li> <li>Methods of Weed Dispersal</li> <li>Methods of Controlling Weeds</li> </ol> <h2>Meaning of Weeds</h2> Weeds are often called volunteer plants because they grow where they are not planted. They are plants which grow where they are not wanted. They can also be defined as”plants out of place”. They are usually unwanted, uninvited quests on farms.Also ,their growth interfere with that of cultivated crops and therefore constitute nuisance to crops, livestock or even man. An edible crop could become a weed if it grows where and when it was not planted, example maize growing on a land where cassava is planted is a weed. <h2>Common Weeds</h2> Some of the common weeds include:

Reproduction and Reproductive Process in Farm Animals

<h1>REPRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTIVE PROCESS IN FARM ANIMALS</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Reproductive Systems of Farm Animals, Mammals and Poultry</li> <li>The Male Reproductive System</li> <li>Functions of Various Parts of Male Reproductive System</li> <li>Male Reproductive System in Poultry</li> <li>Female Reproductive System</li> <li>Reproductive System in Poultry (Hen)</li> <li>Reproductive Hormones</li> <li>Reproductive Processes/Terminologies in Production</li> </ol> <h2>Reproductive Systems of Farm Animals, Mammals and Poultry</h2> Reproduction can be defined as the process through which living organisms give birth to young ones. It involves mating, after which the male sperm is united to the female ovum to form zygote. <h2>The Male Reproductive System</h2> The male reproductive system is made up of the primary sex character (testes) and the secondary sex character which consist of the scrotum, cowpers gland, prostate gland, seminal vesicle, urethra, penis, vas deferens and spermatic ducts. <img class="size-full wp-image-55164 aligncenter" src="https://classhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/male-reproductive-system.jpg" alt="Reproduction and Reproductive Process in Farm Animals - Male Reproductive System" width="694" height="404" /> <img class="size-full wp-image-55165 aligncenter" src="https://classhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/male-reproductive-system-spermatozoa.jpg" alt="Reproduction and Reproductive Process in Farm Animals - Male Reproductive System - Spermatozoa" width="526" height="239" /> <h3>Functions of Various Parts of Male Reproductive System</h3> <strong>Testes</strong>: They are located within the scrotum or scrotal sac. When stimulated by the male hormone called testosterone, it secrets spermatozoa. <strong>Scrotum</strong>: This helps to house the testes. It regulates the temperature of the testes at 4⁰C less than the body temperature. <strong>Vas deferens</strong>: This is responsible for conducting sperm from the epididymis to the neck of the urethra.

Irrigation

<h1>IRRIGATION SYSTEM</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Irrigation System</li> <li>Importance of Irrigation System</li> <li>Problems of Irrigation System</li> <li>Types of Irrigation System</li> </ol> <h2>Meaning of Irrigation System</h2> Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil for the purpose of supplying moisture for plant growth. This is because water is the most important determining factor in crop production <h2>Importance of Irrigation System</h2> Irrigation is important in agriculture for the following reasons: <ol> <li>Provision of moisture necessary for plant growth.</li> <li>It increases yield of crops.</li> <li>It improves microbial decomposition of organic matter to release crop nutrients.</li> <li>It cools the soil temperature in the hot and dry season.</li> <li>It reduces harmful accumulated salt in the soil.</li> <li>It makes for all year round cultivation and crop production.</li> <li>It facilitates seed germination and enable the crops to be well established when rainfall is not steady.</li> <li>It reduces the hazard of soil caking.</li> <li>It stabilizes the farmer’s economy since production is not seasonal or erratic.</li> </ol> <h2>Problems of Irrigation System</h2> The following are the problems of irrigation system:

Types and Classification of Farm Animals

<h1>TYPES AND CLASSIFICATION OF FARM ANIMALS</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Definition of Farm Animals</li> <li>Types of Farm Animals</li> <li>Classification of Farm Animals</li> </ol> <h2>Definition of Farm Animals</h2> Farm animals are essentially those animals that have been domesticated for production purposes and for other benefits of man. Farm animals vary in their individual characteristics. These include avian species, mammalian species and aquatic species. <img class="size-full wp-image-53393 aligncenter" src="https://classhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/farm-animals.jpg" alt="Types and Classification of Farm Animals" width="462" height="388" /> <h2>Types of Farm Animals</h2> <h3>(i) Avian Species</h3> This group belongs to all domesticated birds such as domestic fowl, ducks, turkeys, geese, guinea fowl, swarms, pigeons, pheasants, canaries and ostriches. These lay eggs and are therefore refer to as Oviparous animals. <h3>(ii) Mammalian Species</h3> This group consists of the domestic four-footed animals which include cattle, sheep, goat, pigs, horses, donkeys and camels. They give birth to their young ones alive and as such, they are referred to as Viviparous animals. <h3>(iii) Aquatic Species</h3> This group consists of animals living and reproducing in both fresh and salt water bodies eg fishes, crabs, snails, crustaceans etc. EVALUATION <ol> <li>Define the term farm animals.</li> <li>State the three major types of farm animals and give two examples.</li> </ol> <h2>Classification of Farm Animals</h2> Farm animals are generally classified on the basis of their habitat, uses, digestion, reproduction, etc. <h3>A. Habitat</h3> Classification under habitat comes under three major divisions, namely;

Drainage

<h1>DRAINAGE</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Drainage</li> <li>Types of Drainage</li> <li>Importance of Drainage/Benefits of Drainage to Agriculture</li> <li>Problems of Drainage</li> </ol> <h2>Meaning of Drainage<strong></strong></h2> Drainage is the removal of excess water artificially from a farmland to prevent water logging and promote good farming activities. Excess water may be removed through channels, pipes or funnels either from the surface of land or beneath the soil. <br> <h2>Types of Drainage (Drainage Systems)</h2> There are two major types of drainage. These are: <ul> <li>Surface drainage</li> <li>Sub-surface/underground drainage</li> </ul> <h3>Surface Drainage</h3> This is the removal of excess water from the surface of the farmland using constructed open ditches, field drain, land grading and lateral ditches. This is divided into; <ul> <li>Random field surface drainage</li> <li>Parallel field drainage</li> </ul> Random field surface is suitable for areas with pot holes or depressions (rough topography). Parallel field drain is ideal where fields are flat or less than 1 – 2% slope. <img class="size-full wp-image-52580 aligncenter" src="https://classhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/drainage-prarallel-field-drain.jpg" alt="Drainage - parallel field drainage" width="534" height="283" /> <p style="text-align: center;">Parallel Field Drain</p>

Anatomy, Physiology and Reproduction of Farm Animals

<h1>ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND REPRODUCTION OF FARM ANIMALS</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Parts of Farm Animals</li> <li>Organs of Farm Animals</li> </ol> <h2>Parts of Farm Animals</h2> Anatomy can be defined as scientific study of parts and structures of farm animals while physiology refers to the way in which the bodies of farm animals function. The understanding of these helps the farmers to know how they function and be able to manage the animals effectively. Animals’ body can be broadly divided into four, namely: <ol> <li>The Head: This consists of the uppermost parts of the animals’ body. The most important organs that are necessary for the survival and effective functioning are found in the head e.g. brain, eyes, ears, nose and mouth.</li> <li>The Thoracic Cavity: This consists of the chest region of the animals. It houses important body organs such as the heart, the lungs and Trachea.</li>

Farm Surveying

<h1>FARM SURVEYING AND PLANNING</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Farm Survey</li> <li>Types of Farm Survey</li> <li>Importance of Farm Surveying</li> <li>Common Survey Equipment and their Uses</li> <li>Maintenance Measures of Farm Survey Equipment</li> </ol> <h2>Meaning of Farm Survey</h2> Farm Survey is a way of showing the natural and man-made features such as streams, lakes, rivers, hills, valleys, rocks, roads, buildings etc on a piece of farmland. It can further be defined as the process of measuring and mapping out the position, height, size and boundary of an area of farmland. <h2>Types of Farm Survey</h2> There are five types of farm survey, namely: <ol> <li><strong>Chain Survey</strong>: This is the simplest form and the oldest form of survey involving the use of chains or measuring tapes to determine the area of land</li> <li><strong>Geodetic/Traverse Survey</strong>: It is a type of survey in which the size and shape (spherical) of an area is determined by using prismatic compass</li> <li><strong>Soil Survey</strong>: This is concerned with the examination, classification and systematic mapping of the soil. It provides data on the composition and properties of the soil</li> <li><strong>Topographical Survey</strong>: This is a type of survey in which the physical features of an area or relief,shape are identified eg flatness, steepness, valley, rivers etc</li> <li><strong>Aerial Survey</strong>: It is the use of aircraft to observe a large area of land showing different features such as hills, vegetation, rivers, lakes, Clift etc</li> </ol> <br> <h2>Importance of Farm Surveying</h2> Farm surveying is important for the following reasons:

Digestive System of Birds, Ruminants and Monogastrics

Farm Planning

<h1>FARM PLANNING</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Farm Planning</li> <li>Importance of Farm Planning</li> <li>Factors to be Considered in Farm Planning and Design of Farmstead</li> <li>Principles of Farmstead Planning</li> </ol> <h2>Meaning of Farm Planning</h2> Farm planning is the sketching, outlining and drawing of the farmstead as well as arrangement of the land for proper usage without the risk of land degradation. It is also the general arrangement of a farm before and after its take off. <br> <h2>Importance of Farm Planning</h2> Farm planning is important for the following reasons: <ol> <li>It helps in determining the actual dimension of the farmland</li> <li>It promotes neatness of the farm</li> <li>It helps to describe the future of the soil units</li> <li>It helps to maximize the use of labour and other factors of production</li> <li>It helps in the location of farm structures and buildings</li> <li>It can be used in the preparation of feasibility studies</li> <li>It prevents wastage of farmland and other inputs</li> <li>It is a prerequisite in the registration of farm enterprise</li> <li>It can be used as collateral for getting loans</li> <li>It helps farmers to project his yield before harvesting</li> </ol> EVALUATION <ol> <li>Define the term farm planning</li> <li>Why is farm planning important?</li> </ol> <h2>Factors to be Considered in Farm Planning and Design of Farmstead</h2>