SOS 1301 SOIL SCIENCE PRACTICALS (3 CU)
Course Type:
CORE (B.SC AGRIC)
Course Credits (CU): 3 CU i.e. 45 Contact Hours per semester
Course Duration: 15 Topics (45 hours) i.e. 30 LH, 15 PH
1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Soil science practicals are a set of field courses that are designed for students to study and apply during a recess
period. The courses typically address topics commonly required in the field in soil management. The course provides
a linkage between lectures that are theory based, and science application in the field. The courses that are
conducted in these practicals are summarised below;
Course code
Course
Lecturer
SS1
Introduction to Soil Survey & Mapping
Dr. Twaha
Field Diagnosis of
SS3
Productivity
Soil & water conservation
SS5
SS2
SS4
SS6
Dr. M.M. Tenywa/Dr. Mulumba
Dr. Majaliwa/Mr. Olupot
Soil site characterization
& soil sampling
Dr. Ochwoh/Mr. Sessanga
Compost making
Dr. Amoding
Soil fertility mgt
Dr. J.S. Tenywa
2. COURSE OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of this course is to enable a student properly apply soil science based principles while in the
field, so that he/she appreciates the contribution of soils in agricultural development .
The specific objectives are to:
i)
ii)
provide the students practical knowledge in conducting field studies in soil management
Enable students build competences in applying field tools in soil studies for improved agricultural and
natural resource management.
3. RECOMMENDED REFERENCES FOR READING
1. 2. Davidson, D.A. (1980). Soils and land use planning. London, Croon Helen. Longman pp. 130.
2. Dennis and Young. (1985). Land evaluation
3. FAO (1990). Guidelines for Soil Description. FAO & ISRIC
Course
Course content
Methods of Instructions
4. COURSE CONTENT, METHODS OF INSTRUCTION, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
5. REQUIRED
Tools/Equipment
SS1 (Introduction to How to conduct soil and land-use survey
Soil
Survey
& (procedure); Surveys and techniques;
Mapping)
Using Remote Sensing (aerial photography,
satellites), Soil profile description, How to
apply soil classification systems (USDA,
WRB) Interpreting soil survey data; writing
soil survey reports; Application of
computers and Geographical Information
Systems (GIS);; Developing maps
Field diagnosis of productivity-Problem
SS3 (Field Diagnosis
identification under field situation. Soil &
of
Productivity
plant productivity evaluation- Diagnostic
content)
tools employed-Plants Visual observation,
Nutrient deficiency/Toxicity symptom. Soil
fertility testing-Rapid soil nutrient testing
methods- soil testing kit (STK). Field
diagnosis of macro & micro nutrientsDeficiency & Toxicity symptoms. Other soil
quality indicators- Physical/Biological
indicators (texture, structue, soil depth, bulk
density, macro/microorganism abundance
& diversity of organisms attributes.
SS5-Soil &
conservation
SS2-Soil
characterization
& soil sampling
water Soil and water conservation technologies
(agronomic, vegetative and structural
measures), Considerations in establishing
soil/water conservation technologies in the
field (Agronomic, Vegetative approaches),
Construction of physical structures, water
storage structures, water harvesting and
small scale irrigation. Optimising water use
in field/drainage techniques. Success
and/or failure of soil and water
management
site Site description: General site information
(Secondary data and primary data for site
analysis), Analysis of biophysical and social
economic
factors.
Soil
sampling
methods/protocols, precautions in soil
sampling.
Requirement/tools for field
practical, report writing
SS4-Compost making
- Hands-on practicals
Satellite images aerial
photos, soil auger,
-Field mapping by transect
stereoscopes,
walks
pedology tools, GPS,
-Group work and reporting topographical maps,
GIS
software,
computers
-Hands-on practicals
-Field
observations/interpretation
Leaf colour chars,
soil test kits, core
samples, soil auger
-Group work and reporting
-Briefing/lecture
-Hands-on practicals
-Construction establishing
SWC techniques
Tape measures, Aframe, Hoes, soil
moisture equipment,
-Group work and reporting
Hands-on practicals
Soil auger, GPS, tape
measures,
-Field assessment
by
topographic
maps,
transect walks
Record
books,
-Group work and reporting guideline for soil
description, guideline
for soil classification,
field book, Munsell
soil color charts,
Shovel, spade, pickaxe,
auger
and
hammer
How to prepare compost/protocols in hands-on field practical in Composting materials,
composting. Key factors in composting making a compost
monitoring equipment,
(Temperature management, oxygen and
water availability, required materials).
Composting methods. Nutrients required for
rapid composting, role of pH and other
ingredients,
Formulating
commercial
composting systems, How to apply
compost on crops,
SS6-SoilConcepts
fertility mgt
of Measures to assess soil fertility (soil testing/soil
fertility evaluation/ plant analysis; DRIS
indices; Soil fertility management
measures (restoration), Use of Fertiliser
(organic/inorganic types), How to
estimate/apply fertilizers in field; Rules of
commercial fertiliser use; Fate of fertilisers
in soil; Fertiliser use and economics;
Fertilizer use efficiency approaches.
5. SUMMARY OF TIME NEEDED
Field visit/class practical
24 hrs
Report writing
05 hrs
Evaluation
01 hrs
6. OVERALL COURSE EVALUATION
Practical Assessment Test
50%
Class practicals, Field work report
50%
Hands-on practicals
-Field assessment of soil
fertility
-Group work and
reporting
Fertilizers, soil testing
kits, leaf colour char,