SS 2 Agricultural Science (1st, 2nd & 3rd Term)

Animal nutrition is the process by which an animal obtains nutrients necessary for its healthy growth and development. IMPORTANCE OF ANIMAL FEEDS Animal feeds are needed for growth Useful for the repair of worn-out tissue It provides energy It is useful for the general well-being of the animal. It aids animals’ resistance to diseases. It […]

FARM ACCOUNT Farm Accounts are statements of money paid out or received for goods and services used in a farming business. FARM RECORD Farm Records are written documents, showing major activities going on in the farming business IMPORTANCE OF FARM ACCOUNTS/RECORDS It enables the farmer to monitor the changes in prices of product brought or

The following economic concept explains the behavior of consumers of agricultural goods. These concepts or elements includes. Wants: this is the desire or needs of man to own goods and services that give satisfaction. These wants are insatiable because the resources needed to cater for them are limited (in short supply). The basic need or

Crop improvement is defined as the science that deals with the development of new crop varieties with superior quality and quantity. AIMS OF CROP IMPROVEMENT To increase yield To improve the quality of produce To adapt to climatic conditions To increase resistance to diseases To increase resistance to pests To meet the needs of growers

A weed is any plant that grows in a place where it is not (expected to grow) wanted. ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF WEEDS They compete with crops for space. Weeds compete with crops for sunlight. Weeds compete with crops for nutrient. Weeds habour crop pests and pathogens Weeds compete with crop for soil moisture. It leads

METHODS OF PEST CONTROL Crop pests can be prevented or controlled through the following methods: Physical control Cultural control Biological control Chemical control PHYSICAL CONTROL This method involves physically removing or excluding pests from the crop. It can include techniques such as handpicking pests, using traps or barriers, erecting fences or nets, and employing mechanical

MEANING OF CROP PEST A crop pest can be defined as any organism capable of causing damage to the crop.  TYPES OF CROP PEST Crop pests can be categorized into various classes based on the organisms that cause damage. Here are some common types of crop pests: 1. Insects: Insects are one of the most

MEANING AND CAUSES OF DISEASE A crop is a plant cultivated by man for a specific purpose. A plant disease is a deviation of the plant from the normal state of health, presenting outward visible signs. Diseases are caused by pathogens and enhanced by some physiological factors.  CAUSES OF DISEASE Plant diseases are caused by

Floriculture: is a discipline of horticulture that is concerned with the production and management of ornamental plants. Ornamental plants are beautiful trees or shrubs which can be used to decorate our environments.  IMPORTANCE OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS Sources of employment e.g. florists. Serves as a source of income. For expression of love and as gift on

Forest can be defined as a large area of land covered with trees and bushes, either growing wild or planted for some purposes which serves as habitat to various kinds of animals. Forestry is the management of forest and forest resources. Silviculture is the growing and cultivation trees. Forest ecology is the scientific study of

Pasture: This is a piece of land on which forage crops grow. Forage Crops: These are plants cultivated (or growing naturally) whose vegetative parts (leaves and stem) are fed on by livestock. USES OF FORAGE CROPS They are used as livestock feeds They are used as cover crops which conserve soil moisture. They help in

FARMING PRACTICES The following farming practices have consequences or effects on the soil;   BUSH BURNING This involves the setting of fire on the bushes to clear out the vegetation MERITS It releases potassium and phosphorus as ash It has some sterilizing effect on the soil It stimulate the growth of fresh grass It destroys

PLANT NUTRIENTS AND NUTRIENT CYCLES Plant nutrients are classified into two, these includes macronutrient and micronutrient.   MACRONUTRIENTS These are mineral elements or nutrients required by crops in large quantities. Examples are: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sulphur.   MICRONUTRIENT OR TRACE ELEMENTS These are mineral elements or nutrients required by crops in small

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION These factors are grouped into three, Climatic factor Biotic factor Edaphic factor   CLIMATIC FACTORS AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION Climate is the average weather condition of a place over a long period of time. The elements of climate are: rainfall, humidity, light, temperature, drought, wind, sunlight, humidity e.t.c.   RAINFALL Rainfall

IRRIGATION This is the artificial application of water to soil or land for farming purposes.   FACTORS THAT DETERMINES IRRIGATION SYSTEM Availability of water. Slope of the land. Soil type. Type of crop. Size of the farmland.   IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATION IN CROP PRODUCTION Irrigation softens the soil for tillage operations. It provides moisture in

MEANING OF FARM SURVEYING Farm surveying is defined as the process of measuring and mapping out the position, topography, size and boundary of an area of farm land. It can also be defined as the process by which measuring of land is made on the farm.   IMPORTANCE OF FARM SURVEYING It helps to determine

FARM MACHINERY Farm machinery includes various types of machines and implements used in the farm. These include tractor, plough, harrows, cultivators, ridgers, planter, harvesters, shellers, dryer, sprayer, and incubators TRACTOR: It is a powerful and expensive multipurpose motor vehicle used for lifting or pulling farm implements.   IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE TRACTOR The power takes

The five major factors which control soil formation are: climate, parent materials, topography, biotic factors and time. CLIMATE: Climate is the average weather condition of a place over long period time. The elements of climate are: temperature, rainfall, wind and pressure. Temperature: The alternating cooling and heating of rocks results in continual expansion and contract

MEANING OF SOIL Soil can be defined as the unconsolidated weathered materials found in the upper most layer of the earth surface on which plants grow. It provides support and nutrients for the plants.   TYPES OF SOIL The three types of soil are; Sandy Soil, Clay Soil and Loamy Soil.   SANDY SOIL A