Ways of making soil fertile/ How to maintain soil

 

 

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE FIRST TERM E NOTES FOR BASIC FOUR

1st Term Agricultural Science

Primary 4

 

Subject : AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

 

Topic : Ways of making soil fertile/ How to maintain soil

 

Class : BASIC FOUR / PRIMARY 4 / GRADE 4

 

 

 TERM : FIRST  TERM  

 

 

WEEK : WEEK 7

 

 

LEARNING MATERIALS

• Whiteboard/Chalkboard
• Explanatory posters/pictures
• Explanatory videos

 

Instructional Materials :

• Lagos State Scheme of Work.
• Online Materials.
• Textbooks
• Workbooks
• Different types of soil

 

 

Previous Knowledge :

The pupils have been taught

Causes of soil infertility

in their previous lesson

 

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lesson , pupils should be able to

 

1. say the meaning of soil fertility

2. mention ways  of making soil fertile

3. list how to maintain soil

 

 

Content :

Ways of making soil fertile/ How to maintain soil

 

1. MANURING: Manure is made up of feaces and urine of farm animals. Farmers can use this already available material on farm to improve Soil fertility. Use of manure and fertilizer will give the soil nutrient and make it productive. Manure or animal waste may be with or without accompanying litter such as straw, hay, or bedding

2. MULCHING: It makes soil fertile by covering the top surface of the soil  and plant with palm fronds, leaves to prevent air or winds from blowing the soil particles away and thereby adding nutrient to the soil when it decay.

3. CROP ROTATION: Planting of different crop on a farm land at a time improve the soil fertility. They add organic matter to the soil and protect the soil from the harsh exposure to sunlight. Crop rotation also leads to improved soil structure and promotes a healthy, fertile soil; by using green manure or growing legumes and at times Tuber Crops like Cassava or yam may be planted

4. BUSH FALLOWING: Bush fallowing simply means leaving the land free of planting or Agricultural activities for some time for that the soil may regain its lost nutrients. The land may be left fallow for 3 to 4 years depending on the Farmer’s decision. Leaving a farm land for sometimes make the soil to regain it loss nutrient and become fertile again.

5. AFFORESTATION : Afforestation is the deliberate continuous planting of trees in order to balance the eco system and improve soil fertility. Trees provide shade and shelter for the soil. They also help to improve Soil fertility.

6. ADDING FERTILIZER :The application of fertilizer to the soil improves soil fertility. Fertilizer which may be organic or inorganic is a chemical or natural substance added to soil or land to increase its fertility. These are generally applied to the surface of plants and seeds. Fertilizer increase soil fertility by adding nutrients through the natural process as nitrogen fixation, but care must be taken not to apply fertilizer in excess as this may be harmful to the soil or lead to increase in soil acidity

 

 

Presentation

The topic is presented step by step

 

Step 1:

The class teacher revises the previous topics

 

Step 2.

He introduces the new topic

 

Step 3:

The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the needs arise

 

 

Evaluation:-

 

Answer the following questions

1. One of the disadvantages of Bush fallowing is that _________ (a) it makes land to regain lost nutrients (b) it does not lead to mechanization (c) lost nutrients are replenished
2. One of the causes of loss of soil nutrients is _________ (a) bush fallowing (b) bush burning (c) Afforestation
3. We can maintain soil fertility by _________ (a) planting cover crops (b) cutting down trees (c) burning bushes
4. _________ is the ability of soil to sustain and maintain plant growth (a) Soil fertility (b) Soil texture (c) Soil particles
5. The covering of land with palm fonds or leaves is known as _________ (a) mulching (b) deforestation (c) erosion
6. _________ is made up of domestic animal faces or urine that can be used to improve Soil fertility _________ (a) manure (b) Disposal (c) Acidity
7. _________ are chemical substances that improve soil nutrients when added to the soil (a) Fertilizer (b) Refuse (c) Pollution
8. A system of farming in which farmer plants different types of crops according to life span and types in order to maintain soil fertility is known as _________ (a) crop rotation (b) crop dispensation (c) crop management
9. The best soil for planting is _________ soil (a) loamy (b) sandy (c) clay
10. Yam, Cassava and cocoyam are examples of _________ crops (a) Tuber (b) cereal (c) grain

 

Part B

Theory

1. Mention four ways by which nutrients may be lost from the soil
   • _________
   • _________
   • _________
   • _________
2. List four methods of maintaining soil nutrients
   • _________
   • _________
   • _________
   • _________
3. Mention three Tuber Crops
   • _________
   • _________
   • _________
   • _________
4. Write out three types of soil
   • _________
   • _________
   • _________
   • _________
5. List three agents of weathering
   • _________
   • _________
   • _________
   • _________
6. What is bush fallowing
7. Explain Afforestation
8. What is deforestation
9. How is too much of fertilizer application be harmful to soil
10. What are soil nutrients

 

 

 

 

Conclusion : The teacher summarizes the lesson. He or she gives out a short board summary of the topic as note .

He or she goes round to mark and does the necessary corrections.