SOIL SCIENCE 1 FINAL EXAM

I. Read the questions carefully before answering

1. What does pH stands for? (1pt)
2. What is the range of acidity, alkalinity and neutral pH? (3pts)
3. Differentiate cation from anion (4pts)
4. How does soil become saline and what are the ways to improve it? (6pts)
5. Draw the chemical structure of the basic tetrahedral silicate clay. (4pts)
6. What are the factors affecting cation exchange capacity? (4pts)
7. What is cation exchange capacity? (2pts)
8. What is the difference between mineralization and denitrification? (4pts)
9. What is the organism that converts nitrite to nitrate? (1pt)
10. What is the organism that converts ammonium to nitrite? (1pt)

II. Find the effective saturation of soil with the following information(20pts):

Dry Weight of soil – 100 g

Wet weight of soil – 200 g
Water Density – 100 g/cm3
Dimensions of the cylinder
Radius – 8 cm Weight – 15 g
Height 100 cm

III. Problem Solving

1. A farmer had a land area of a hectare for banana plantation with a soil analysis of 12-13-10 NPK. The
recommended rate of fertilizer application for banana is 160-130-100. How much fertilizer should be used per
hill if he should use square planting system with a distance of 4m x 4m? (20pts)
2. Solve for the % value of P in P2O5 and K in K2O (6pts)
3. How much (in weight) is the value of NPK of the following fertilizers?
a. Complete fertilizer (14-14-14)
b. Amophous (16-20-0)
c. Muriate of Potash (0-0-60)

BONUS:

1. What is the importance of conducting soil analysis before fertilizer application? (10pts)
2. What are the importance of studying the relationship of soil microorganisms and entomopathology? (10pts)