NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES
EXAMINATION: FIRST SEMESTER 2018
COURSE CODE: SOS301
COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO PEDOLOGY AND SOIL CLASSIFICATION (2 CU)
INSTRUCTIONS: ANSWER FOUR (4) QUESTIONS. QUESTION 1 IS COMPULSORY (25MARKS) AND ANY OTHER THREE (3) QUESTIONS (15MARKS)
TIME ALLOWED: 2 HRS 30 MINS
QUESTIONS
1. a. Give the five (5) factors of soil formation (5 marks)
b. Carefully explain how each of the factors mentioned above contribute to soil formation (10 marks)
c. Write short note on the following soil properties
i. Soil Morphology
ii. Micromorphology
iii. Porosity
iv. Soil Texture (10 Marks)
(Total = 25 marks)
2. a. Mention four (4) main components of soil (4 marks)
b. What do you understand by “soil parent material” (3 marks)
c. What is the difference between minerals and rocks, give 3 examples each
(8 marks)
(Total = 15 marks)
3. a. Briefly explain the following deposits in soil formation
i. Loess
ii. Alluvial
iii. Marine
iv. Organic (8 marks)
b. What do you understand by weathering, Mention 5 processes involved in chemical
weathering (7 mark)
Total = 15 marks
4. a. Define Soil Survey? (5 marks)
b. What is soil profile, list the components of soil profile (10 marks)
(Total = 15 marks)
5. a. Briefly explain soil classification and state its major objectives (10 marks)
b. Mention the Five (5) orders in the USDA soil taxonomy (5 marks)
(Total = 15 marks)
6. Briefly explain how the fertility of Nigerian soils could be effectively maintained
using the following:
a. Crop rotation,
b. Green manuring,
c. Compost manure
d. Farmyard manure
e. Proper land use (each one correctly explained carries 3 marks) = 15 marks
You can get the soft copy for this course or the exam summary answers for this course from 08039407882
Exam summary sample below
