(a) With the aid of a pH scale,explain the term soil pH.
b(i) What are cover crops?
(ii) Mention five advantages of planting cover crops on farm.
(c) Complete the table below.
| Weed | Botanical Name |
| Wild marigold | |
| Spear grass | |
| Stubborn grass | |
| Pig weed | |
| Carpet grass |
(a)Explanation of the soil pH using the pH scale above.
Soil pH is defined as a measure of the degree of alkalinity of the soil/a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) or hydroxyl ions (OH-) in the soil.
- A pH scale is graduated from 1 - 14
- A soil whose pH is below 7 is said to be alkaline.
- A soil whose pH is above 7 is said to be acidic
- A soil with pH 7 is said to be neutral
b(i) Meaning of Cover crops
Cover crops are crops that sre grown specifically to cover the soil and protect it from erosion and leaching for a given length of time.
(ii) Advantages of planting cover crops
- Effective in controlling weeds
- Reduces soil temperature
- Cover crops help to fix nitrogen in the soil
- Serves as a green manure when ploughed into the soil
- Could be harvested as food crop after harvesting the cash crop
- Prevents soil erosion
- Prevents soil compaction
- Improves soil structure
- Could serve as forage for livestock
- Controls pests
(c) Completion of the table
| Weed | Botanical Name |
|
Wild Marigold Spear grass Stubborn grass Pig weed Carpet grass |
Aspilia africana Imperata cylindica Eleusine indica Amaranthus spp/Boerhavia diffusa Axonopus compressus |
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