Plant Nutrient and Nutrient Cycle II

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In today’s Agricultural Science class, We will be learning about Plant Nutrients and Nutrient Cycles. We hope you enjoy the class!

 

 

NITROGEN CYCLES

Nitrogen cycles refer to the circulation of certain nutrients like nitrogen, carbon and water in nature.

The nitrogen cycle is nature’s way of regulating the amount of Nitrogen in the soil and air

 

Ways by which Nitrogen is added to the soil in Nitrogen Cycle

1. Direct fixation by lightening during rainfall.
2. Incorporation into the soil by free-living bacteria or non-symbolic bacteria.
3. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the root nodules.
4. Decomposition of organic matter.
5. Application of Nitrogen fertilizer.
6. Ammonification
7. Nitrification

 

Soil can gain Nitrogen through the following ways

1. Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation
2. Electrical discharge
3. Non-symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation
4. Ammonification and Nitrification
5. Application of organic manure and nitrogen fertilizers

 

Ways by which nitrogen is lost from the soil are: 

1. By Denitrification
2. Soil erosion
3. Leaching
4. Soil PH
5. Bush burning
6. Crop removal
7. Volatilization
8. Oxidation reaction
9. Reduction reaction

 

Processes that lead to the formation of Nitrate from organic matter in the Nitrogen Cycle

1. Putrefaction: Decay of plant and animal remains into similar nitrogenous compounds by microorganisms.
2. Amminization: Products from putrefaction reactions converted to simple amino compounds and animal
3. Ammonization: Conversion of amino compounds and amines into ammonium compounds
4. Nitrification: Oxidation of ammonium compounds into nitrites and Nitrates

 

 

CARBON CYCLE

This involves the series of processes which contribute to the circulation of carbon in nature.

Explanation

1. Carbon dioxide is removed from the air mainly by photosynthesis
2. Carbon is lost in the form of carbonates of calcium and magnesium through leaching and drainage.

The atmosphere gains carbon dioxide through

1. 1. Burning of fuel like coal and wood
   2. The action of volcanoes which releases carbon dioxide
   3. The respiration of plants and animals
   4. Death and decay and putrefaction of plants and animals
   5. Diffusion of carbon dioxide from seas and other bodies of water

 

IMPORTANCE OF CARBON CYCLE

1. Plant use carbon dioxide obtained from the air to manufacture their food during photosynthesis
2. Provision of carbon which is the essential building block of all organic matters
3. Organic matter which is made from carbon helps to replenish soil nutrients.

 

WATER CYCLE

This is the continuous movement of water from the atmosphere to the earth and from the earth to the atmosphere.

The atmosphere receives water through

1. Evaporation from oceans and land
2. Transpiration from plants
3. Breathing and respiration by plants and animals

 

Land receives water through:

1. Rainfall and precipitation
2. Infiltration and percolation

 

FORMS IN WHICH WATER EXISTS IN THE SOIL

1. Hygroscopic water
2. Capillary water
3. Gravitational water

 

Ways of conserving water in the soil

1. Stoppage or reduction of water-run-off
2. Addition of humus or organic mature
3. Removal of weeds to reduce transpiration and water loss
4. Mulching
5. Cover cropping
6. Contour ridging
7. Appropriate tillage
8. Strip cropping

 

EVALUATION

1. Explain Nitrification.
2. List five ways the soil can gain nitrogen.

 

IMPORTANCE OF WATER TO CROPS

1. Water provides the medium for absorption of minerals salts
2. It facilitates the transfer of nutrients to other parts of plants
3. It is an essential raw material during photosynthesis
4. Facilities enzymatic activities occurring in crop plant protoplasm
5. It is a constituent of protoplasm
6. It has a cooling effect on crops
7. It helps to sustain life
8. It helps in seed germination
9. It helps to maintain plant turgor or turbidity

 

 

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. List five importance of water to crops.
2. List three form which water exists in the soil.
3. List three ways by which Nitrogen is lost from the soil.
4. What is a macronutrient? List five examples.
5. What are micronutrients? List five examples.

 

READING ASSIGNMENT

Essential Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools by O.A. Iwena, Chapter 18, pages 187 – 201 

SECTION B

1. (a) Differentiate between macro and micronutrients

(b) List three factors influencing nutrient availability in the soil

 

2. (a)  State three function of Nitrogen to plants

(b)  State three importance of the organic matter in Agricultural

 

 

 

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In our next class, we will be learning about Farming Practices. We are very much eager to meet you there.

 

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