11

Agricultural Crops
Production NC II
Quarter 3 – Module 3:
Plant Crops: Methods of Soil
Testing
Agricultural Crops Production NC II- Grade 11
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Plant Crops: Methods of Soil Testing
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writers: JOHN DENVER C. LUQUIAS
Editors: Name
Reviewers: Name
Illustrator: Name
Layout Artist: Name
Management Team:
DANTE G PARUNGAO, CESO VI
ZUREX T. BACAY, PhD
LARRY B. ESPIRITU, PhD
ZORAIDA F. ESPINO
ELENITA R. ROMAGOSA, PhD

Printed in the Philippines by

Department of Education – Region III

SDO- Science City of Muñoz
Curriculum Implementation Division-
Learning Resource Management Section (CID-LRMS)

Office Address : Brgy. Rizal, Sciene City of Muñoz, 3119

E-mail Address : munozscience.city@deped.gov.ph
 11
Agricultural Crops
Production NC II
Quarter 3 – Module 3:
Plant Crops: Site Selection and Soil
Testing
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the Agricultural Crops Production NC II for Grade 11 Alternative Delivery Mode
(ADM)!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators both from
public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in helping the learners
meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and
economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent learning
activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help learners acquire the
needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module. You also
need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to manage their own learning.
Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks
included in the module.

For the learner:

Welcome to the Agricultural Crops Production NC II Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module
on Plant Crops- Site selection and Soil Testing!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to depict skill,
action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and accomplish. Hence, the
hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a learner is capable and empowered to
successfully achieve the relevant competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your
academic success lies in your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities for guided
and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be enabled to process the
contents of the learning resource while being an active learner.
This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in the
module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to check

what you already know about the lesson to take. If
you get all the answers correct (100%), you may
decide to skip this module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link the

current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be introduced to

you in various ways such as a story, a song, a
poem, a problem opener, an activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent practice

to solidify your understanding and skills of the
topic. You may check the answers to the exercises
using the Answer Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what
you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will help

you transfer your new knowledge or skill into real
life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of

mastery in achieving the learning competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given to you

to enrich your knowledge or skill of the lesson
learned. This also tends retention of learned
concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.
At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing this

module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the module.
Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities included
in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to
consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep
understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I Need to Know

This module provides you with understanding of the underlying concepts and
principles in planting crops.
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. identify the factors to consider in site selection;
2. select a site appropriate for rice production;
3. collect soil sample and analyze ; and
4. appreciate the value of selecting a good site for rice production
 What I Know

Identification: Name the nutrient deficiency in each item from the sign shown in every
plant.
___________________ 1. Tree doesn’t get average height. Leaves become yellow
___________________ 2. Tender leaves dry and plant dies.
___________________ 3. Younger leaves show chlorotic spots between the veins.
___________________ 4. Young leaves become light in color from petiole and start
folding.
___________________ 5. Growth of a plant stops
___________________ 6. Leaves start drying from the tip.
___________________ 7. Main veins of a leaf become green.
___________________ 8. Leaves become reddish yellow on the edges while inner
part of the leaves remain green.
___________________ 9. Brownish spots on leaves.
___________________ 10. Leaves become yellow and stop growing and then fall
off.
 What’s In

We all know that health of soil is equally important as health of any person. It is
more applicable when it comes to ‘farming’. But, it is observed that now a day, ‘health
of soil’ doesn’t get enough attention. People care more about only ‘cash crops and
increasing quantity of the crop’. As a result of this, soil becomes unproductive.
Awareness about ‘soil health’ should be increased to avoid this.

Direction: Plant needs 16 essential nutrients for healthy growth and development.
Name those 16 elements. Answer in separate sheet.

Notes to the Teacher

This supplementary learning resource has been developed
. to help you facilitate the learners in performing nursery operations.
This module provides various activities. Pretest is included
in this module to check the learner’s prior knowledge. The next part
is the lesson proper which allows activating their prior knowledge,
introducing new ideas, and applying what they learned through
different independent activities and assessment. Towards the end
of the lesson, a post test is provided to assess their understanding
of the lesson. Also, additional activities can also be found for further
enrichment.
Conducting self-checks for the learners is possible through
the answer key attached at the last part of this module.
 What’s New

Answer the following guide question, write your answer on a separate sheet.

Guide Question:

1. What do you observe in the picture?

2. What may cause the difference on both plant?
3. How does nutrient affect the growth and development of a plant?
 What is It

If given a chance to select a good site for rice production, here are the important
factors to consider to ensure optimum growth and development. These are soil,
climate, and location.
The following are the different factors to be considered in selecting a good site
for rice production, as stated in the Competency-Based Learning Module (CBLM) for
Rice Production:
1. Soil. A rice field should possess the following attributes:
a. high clay content
b. a 2:1 ratio of top clay mineral montmorillonite
c. medium amount of organic matter
d. good drainage
e. top soil 18 – 20 cm deep
f. soil pH range of 6.2 -7.0
2. Climate. Climate change is one of the factors posing challenge to rice
production nowadays. These factors include rainfall, sunlight, wind velocity,
and temperature.
a. Rainfall. In rainfed areas, the start of the rainy season determines the
planting time. This is because the source of water supply for non-
irrigated rice field comes directly from rainfall. On the other hand, too
much rainfall causes floods that submerged the plants. Water directly
affects the photosynthetic activity of the rice plant.
b. Sunlight. It is the foremost source of energy of all plant life. When
water supply is not limited, sunshine is the most important climatic
factor that influences rice yield. Therefore, site should be free of any
barrier to sunlight
c. Temperature. It is a limiting factor in rice production. However, in the
Philippines, temperature is almost constant, hence, it is not a critical
problem.
d. Wind velocity. Gentle wind is beneficial to rice plant because new air
blown around the plant causes replenishment of carbon dioxide.
Strong wind such as heavy wind during typhoon may cause lodging
and shattering of rice grain, reduction of photosynthetic activities and
may enhance growth of bacterial leaf diseases.
3. Location. Farm location greatly affects the profitability of rice production.
The following are some factors to consider:
a. the farm should be near the road to facilitate ease of transport.
b. there should be available laborers in the different stages of rice
production.
c. good irrigation and drainage.
d. proximity to drying pavement and other post-harvest facilities.
WHY DO WE NEED ‘SOIL TESTING’?
Soil is an important matter for cultivation of any type of crop. Soil supplies many
necessary nutrients required for healthy growth of a crop. The yield is largely
dependent on the soil in which the crop grows. So, before cultivation, it is very
important to check the soil for its nutrients. By checking the soil, you will know whether
the soil is having enough amount of nutrients or not. If any nutrient is less or more than
the required amount, necessary measures can be taken.
In short following are the benefits of ‘soil testing’:
 Soil testing encourages plant growth by providing the best fertilizer
recommendations.
 It diagnoses whether there is too little or too much of a nutrient.
 Soil testing’ promotes environmental quality.
 It also saves money that might otherwise be spent on unneeded fertilizer.

SOIL TESTING
Soil testing is an acceptably accurate and rapid soil chemical analysis for
assessing available nutrient status for making fertilizer.

WHEN AND HOW TO TAKE A SAMPLE OF A SOIL?

Soil sample must be taken at the right time and in the right way as described
here:
 Before planting anything in the field and after you take out the crop
 Before application of any organic or chemical fertilizers
 Three months after application of any organic or chemical fertilizers.

Do not take soil samples from the following areas:

 Where cattle graze
 Under a tree
 Garbage area

Only 0.5 kg soil is required for soil testing.

PLANTS NEED 16 ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS FOR HEALTHY GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT.

NECESSARY NUTRIENTS FOR CROP GROWTH:

Main nutrients:
Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium(K)
Secondary nutrients:
Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulphur (S)
Micro nutrients:
Iron (I), Boron (B), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Chlorine (Cl),
Manganese (Mn)
Nutrients from air:
Carbon (C), hydrogen (H)
Nutrients from water:
Oxygen (O)
Apart from above nutrients, there are some other parameters which also
affect plant growth. These parameters are: Soil pH, Soil EC (Electrical Conductivity)
and Soil OC (Organic Carbon). To judge the health of soil, these parameters should
be checked.

pH OF SOIL

Apart from soil nutrients one more factor affect the yield. That factor is ‘pH’.

The soil pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity in soils. It is measured in pH

units. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14 with pH 7 as the neutral point.

Hydrogen ions present in the soil decide pH value of the soil. When +ve ions
get washed off through water, soil becomes acidic. Similarly, when amount of

Calcium, Sodium in soil increases, soils become alkaline. Simply we can say
that low pH means sour and high pH means salty soil.
pH testing is important because nutrient mobility (
transfer of nutrients ) from soil to plant through roots
depends on pH of the soil.

Diagrams shows availability of nutrients

according to its pH -

SOIL TYPE ACCORDING TO ITS PH VALUE:

pH VALUE SOIL TYPE

Below 4.5 Extremely acidic

4.5-5.0 Highly acidic

5.0-6.0 Medium acidic

6.0-6.5 Slightly acidic

7.0 Neutral

7.0-7.5 Slightly alkaline

7.5-8.0 Medium alkaline

8.5-9.0 Highly alkaline

Above 9.0 Extremely alkaline

SIGNS SHOWN ON PLANTS BECAUSE OF NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY

NUTRIENT/S DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

NITROGEN Tree doesn’t get average height. Leaves become yellow.

PHOSPHORUS Growth of a plant stops

Leaves become reddish yellow on the edges while inner part

POTASSIUM
of the leaves remain green.

CALCIUM Tender leaves dry and plant dies.

MAGNESIUM Leaves start drying from the tip.

SULPHUR Brownish spots on leaves.

IRON Main veins of a leaf become green.

MANGANESE Younger leaves show chlorotic spots between the veins.

COPPER Leaves become yellow and stop growing and then fall off.

MATERIALS FOR SOIL SAMPLING:

SHOVEL

SPADE

BUCKET

SIEVE
METHODS OF SOIL SAMPLING:

Following is the correct procedure to collect soil for ‘soil sample’.

Procedure:
1. For ‘soil testing’, soil is taken from 15 different places.
2. Dig a ‘V’ shape pit in the ground which is 15 cm deep. Take soil sample (2 to
3 cm thick) from one side of it.
3. Follow the same procedure to take samples from 15 different places.
4. Clean the samples by removing any garbage if present in the soil.
5. Mix all the samples very well (Make 4 equal parts of the mixed sample. Then
mix two diagonally opposite parts with each other. Repeat the procedure for
4/5 times)
6. Take 0.5 kg of the sample for ‘soil testing’.

Dig the pits as per the following figure. Yellow circles show location for the pit.

Dig each pit as shown in the figure. Take soil from the area shown in ‘brown’

Floor surface
There're several ways of taking samples:

A. network
B. Z-scheme
C. diagonally
D. in permanent crops

PROCEDURE IN COLLECTING SOIL SAMPLE:

1
)
Collecting
5 2
) )
Packing Drying
METHODOLOGY

4 3
) )
Sieving Pulverizing

Crushing
1. The soil samples were gathered and collected

2. Samples were dried out at a well air-ventilation

3. The samples were the pulverize.

4. After pulverizing the soil samples were now

pass through sieve to remove large particles

5. Now the soil sample were ready to be

packed and to be tested.
 What’s More

Fill me in: Complete the table to determine the soil type according to its level of pH.
Write your answer on a separate sheet.

pH VALUE SOIL TYPE

Below 4.5 __________________

4.5-5.0 __________________

5.0-6.0 __________________

6.0-6.5 __________________

7.0 __________________

7.0-7.5 __________________

7.5-8.0 __________________

8.5-9.0 __________________

Above 9.0 __________________

 What I Have Learned

Fill in the blanks with the necessary elements that will complete the essential nutrients
needed by a plant. Write your answer in a separate sheet.

Main nutrients:
__________________, __________________, __________________
Secondary nutrients:
__________________, __________________, __________________
Micro nutrients:
__________________, __________________, __________________,
__________________, __________________, __________________
__________________,
Nutrients from air:
__________________, __________________
Nutrients from water:
__________________
 What I Can Do

Complete the graph by providing the procedure of collecting soil sample.

1
)

5 2
) )
METHODOLOGY

4 3
) )

Crushi
 Assessment

Identification: Name the nutrient deficiency in each item from the sign shown in every
plant.
___________________ 1. Tree doesn’t get average height. Leaves become yellow
___________________ 2. Tender leaves dry and plant dies.
___________________ 3. Younger leaves show chlorotic spots between the veins.
___________________ 4. Young leaves become light in color from petiole and start
folding.
___________________ 5. Growth of a plant stops
___________________ 6. Leaves start drying from the tip.
___________________ 7. Main veins of a leaf become green.
___________________ 8. Leaves become reddish yellow on the edges while inner
part of the leaves remain green.
___________________ 9. Brownish spots on leaves.
___________________ 10. Leaves become yellow and stop growing and then fall
off.
 Additional Activities

Collect soil sample by following the procedure and make a narrative report with
documentation.

Procedure:
1. For ‘soil testing’, soil is taken from 15 different places.
2. Dig a ‘V’ shape pit in the ground which is 15 cm deep. Take soil sample (2 to
3 cm thick) from one side of it.
3. Follow the same procedure to take samples from 15 different places.
4. Clean the samples by removing any garbage if present in the soil.
5. Mix all the samples very well (Make 4 equal parts of the mixed sample. Then
mix two diagonally opposite parts with each other. Repeat the procedure for
4/5 times)
6. Take 0.5 kg of the sample for ‘soil testing’.
 What I have What can I do
Learned 1. Collecting
Main nutrients: 2. Drying
Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus 3. Pulverizing
(P), Potassium(K) 4. Sieving
Secondary nutrients: 5. Packing/packa
Calcium (Ca), Magnesium
(Mg), Sulphur (S) ging
Micro nutrients:
Iron (I), Boron (B), Zinc (Zn),
Copper (Cu), Molybdenum
(Mo), Chlorine (Cl),
Manganese (Mn)
Nutrients from air:
Carbon (C), hydrogen (H)
Nutrients from water:
Oxygen (O)
What I Know What's More Assessment
1. Nitrogen 1. Nitrogen
2. Calcium 2. Calcium
3. Manganese
Extremely acidic 3. Manganese
4. Boron
Highly acidic 4. Boron
Medium acidic
5. Phosphorous 5. Phosphorous
Slightly acidic
6. Magnesium 6. Magnesium
Neutral
7. Iron 7. Iron
Slightly alkaline
8. Potassium 8. Potassium
Medium alkaline
9. Sulfur 9. Sulfur
10. Copper
Highly alkaline
10. Copper
Extremely alkaline
Answer Key
Reference

www.vasat.icrisat.org
www.faculty.rpcs.org
http://www.terragis.bees.unsw.edu.au/terraGIS_soil/sp_soil_re action_ph.html
https://blog.agrivi.com/post/importance-of-soil-
analysis#:~:text=Soil%20analysis%20is%20a%20set,%2C%20or%20%22soil%20health%22.
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region III

SDO – Science City of Muñoz
Curriculum Implementation Division-
Learning Resource Management Section (CID-LRMS)
Brgy. Rizal, Science City of Munoz, 3119
Telephone No.: (044) 806 - 2192
E-mail Address: munozscience.city@deped.gov.ph