NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

DEPARTMENT OF CROP AND SOIL SCIENCE

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS, APRIL 2019

Course Code: SOS301
Course Title: INTRODUCTION TO PEDOLOGY AND SOIL CLASSIFICATION
Credit Units: 2                                                                                                                              Time Allowed: 2 hours
Instruction: Answer 4 questions in all; No. 1 is compulsory and carries 25 marks and any other three (3) questions carrying 15 marks each,
1.      a. Define Soil as relates to atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere (5 marks)
b. Mention five (5) soil forming factors                                                                  (5 marks)
c. Explain how each of the five (5) factors mentioned above aids soil formation (10 marks)
d. Discuss the morphological properties of soil                                                      (5 marks)
 
2.      a. What do you understand by the term “Weathering”?                                (3 marks)
b. Explain the following types of weathering with at least 3 examples in each case:
i.            Physical Weathering (1mark), 3 Examples (3 mark)                           (4 mark)
ii.            Chemical Weathering  (1mark), 3 Examples (3 mark)             (4 mark)
iii.            Biological Weathering (1mark), 3 Examples  (3 mark)                       (4 mark)
 
3.      a. Define soil survey                                                                                       (3 marks)
b. Define Soil profile                                                                                      (2 marks)
c. Mention and briefly explain at least five (5) types of soil horizons            (10 marks)
4.    a.  Discuss the concept of soil classification                                                   (5 marks)
b. Mention and briefly explain any five (5) orders in the USDA Soil Taxonomy (10 marks)
 
5.      a. Outline at least eight (8) properties of Nigerian Soil                                  (8 marks)
b. Mention seven (7) major division of ecological regions in Nigeria             (7 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

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

NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

January/ February 2017_2 POP Examination

Course Title: Introduction to Pedology and Soil Classification
Course Code: SOS301
INSTRUCTION:
i)                    Answer at least one question from each section compulsorily.
ii)                  Answer four questions in all.
iii)                Time: 2 hours
SECTION A
Question 0ne
 
a)      Match the following words against the below listed soil descriptions. Please note that a word can be marched more than once. 2 marks each x 10= 20 marks
(Clay, loam, sand, Humus, Mineral nutrients, and organic matter)
i)                    Can easily get water logged
ii)                  Can for a cast when wet bet cracks when dry
iii)                Has very low infiltration rate
iv)                Has very high infiltration rate
v)                  Has low water holding capacity
vi)                Easily get drained
vii)              Has an almost balanced ration of clay and  sand
viii)            An un-decomposed biodegradable matters
ix)                A well decomposed/degraded organic matter in the soil.
x)                  Macro and micro chemical elements in the soil.
 
b)      Give reasons or state the implications/meanings of the following of the following.
(2 marks each x 5= 10 marks)
i)                    A very bright red/brownish brick color sub soil
ii)                  A dull blackish/gray to silver color sub soil
iii)                Heavy presence of worm cast on a soil
iv)                What is the basic parent material of any soil
v)                  Flora and fauna refers to what in the soil characteristics
c)      List five factors or bad  practices that can destroy the soil (2 marks each x 5= 10 marks)
 
SECTION B
Question Two
a)      Define the term “Rock”( 5 marks)
b)      What are the basic types of rocks that naturally exists ( 5 marks)
c)      Write a short descriptive note on rocks formed as a result of accumulation of minerals and solid particles ( 2marks)
d)      List 3 types of rocks formed from sedimentary actions. ( 3 marks)
 
Question Three
a)      What is weathering ( 5 marks)
b)      List five agents of biological weathering. ( 5 marks)
c)      Write a brief but comprehensive note on chemical weathering  (5 marks)
 
Question Four
a) Outline the components of (i) Physical and ii) biological weathering (8 marks)
b)  Explain the l formation of soil using passive and active factors (7 marks)
 
Question five
Write a short note on (i) soil texture (ii) soil permeability (iii) soil infiltration rate, (iv) soil structure and (v) soil bulk density. (3marks each x 5=15)
 
Question Six
a) Discuss the importance of soil amendment to a crop producer. ( 5 marks)
b)  Write a short note on biological properties of the soil. (4 marks)
c) Describe any 3 soil s reactions (2marks each x3= 6 marks)
You can get the soft copy for this course or the exam summary answers for this course from 08039407882

Exam summary sample below

NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

14/16 AHMADU BELLO WAY, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MARCH/APRIL 2014 EXAMINATION

 
COURSE CODE: SOS 301
COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTIONS TO PEDOLOGY AND SOIL CLASSIFICATION
TIME ALLOWED:  2 1/2 HOURS
INSTRUCTION: ANSWER ANY FOUR QUESTIONS
 
Question 0ne
a) What is soil?
b) Briefly enumerate the importance of soil to man
c) Based on particle size analysis, list the three 3 basic types of soils
Question Two
a)      Describe the structure call Rock
b)      List the 3 types of rocks
c)      Write a short descriptive note on each of the rock types
 
Question Three
a)      What is weathering?
b)      List the common types of weathering
c)      Write a comprehensive note on physical weathering
 
Question Four
a) List the components of i) chemical weathering ii) biological weathering
b)  Describe soil formation under passive and active factors
Question five
a)      List the 3 basic groups of soil properties
b)      List and discuss the soil physical and biological properties
Question Six
Discuss the types and importance of soil amendment to agriculture
You can get the soft copy for this course or the exam summary answers for this course from 08039407882

Exam summary sample below