SOIL 204 — Chemical and Biochemical Properties of Soils
Agriculture · University of Ghana
Theory: Chemical Properties (6 weeks): Soil colloids and ion exchange phenomenon; adsorbed cations – basic and acidic cations, cation exchange capacity (CEC); effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) of soils; cation exchange and availability of nutrients; anion exchange capacity (AEC). Buffering of soils, buffer capacity of soils. Soil reaction. Biochemical/Microbiological Properties (7 weeks): The soil as a habitat for microorganisms. Factors influencing microbial nutrition and growth. Introduction to microbial genetics. Methods for studying soil microbial population. Interrelationships among soil microorganisms. Organic residues in soil. Organic matter composition and function in soil. Introduction to soil enzymes. Practicals: Soil pH, soil organic carbon, soil nitrogen, soil phosphorus, CEC, exchangeable bases. Aseptic transfer techniques, growth requirements of microorganisms, Gram staining procedure for typing microbes, estimating microbial numbers by plate count.
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Level 200
- Semester
- Semester Two
Other courses on this programme
- AGEC 211 — Microeconomics (Principles and Applications to Households and Firms)
- AGEC 212 — Macroeconomics (Principles and Applications to Economy of Ghana)
- AGEN 201 — Agriculture Engineering II
- AGEX 204 — Vacation Rural Community Experience
- AGEX 206 — Approaches to Extension
- AGEX 211 — Food Safety and Quality Standards
- AGEX 213 — Rural Development and Participatory Methodologies
- AGEX 415 — NGO Development and Management
- AGRC 200 — Long Vacation Practicals
- AGRC 212 — Introductory Statistics
- ANIM 212 — Elements of Microbiology and Immunology
- ANIM 418 — Animal Health and Physiology
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Start freeCourse details from University of Ghana Volume 3 Handbook for the Bachelor's Degree: Course Descriptions for Programmes in the Sciences (2017).