Neco 2020 Agricultural Science Question 2

Practice practical question 2 from the 2020 Neco Agricultural Science examination. This question covers Soil Science .

Neco 2020 Agricultural Science Practical
Topic: Soil Science
Question 2 NECO • 2020 • AGRICULTURAL_SCIENCE • practical

A soil sample was collected from a field to determine its water‑holding characteristics using the gravimetric method. The following measurements were recorded: - Dry weight of the soil sample (after oven‑drying at 105 °C) = 200 g - Weight of the sample when saturated with water (no air voids) = 340 g - Weight of the sample after free drainage for 2 hours (field capacity) = 260 g - Weight of the sample after allowing it to dry to the permanent wilting point = 220 g - Bulk density of the soil = 1.3 g cm⁻³ - Depth of the effective root zone for the crop = 60 cm Using the data above, answer the following questions:

Question Parts

( a )
Calculate the gravimetric water content (expressed as % w/w) at field capacity and at the wilting point.
( b )
Convert the gravimetric water contents obtained in part (a) to volumetric water contents (expressed as % v/v). Use the bulk density provided (assume water density = 1 g cm⁻³).
( c )
Calculate the Available Water Capacity (AWC) of the soil in the root zone, expressed in millimetres (mm).
( d )
A crop to be cultivated on the field requires a total water supply of 150 mm during the growing season. Based on the AWC calculated in part (c), state whether the soil can meet the crop’s water requirement and justify your answer.

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About This Question

This is Neco 2020 Agricultural Science Question 2. It is one of the practical questions from the 2020 Neco Agricultural Science examination.

The question covers Soil Science .

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