Detailed information about soil fertility

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A REPORT
ON
COMMUNITY SERVICE ORIENTED PROJECT
SOIL FERTILITY
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
GODAVARI INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (A)
CHAITANYA KNOWLEDGE CITY, NH-16, RAJAHMUNDRY, AP
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, KAKINADA, A.P,
AUGUST 2020-2022
Submitted To Submitted by
Mrs. S. Suneetha I Hemanth Reddy
Department of ECE ID NO:20551A0425
(Advisor) Btech (ECE)

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DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE
I solemnly declare that the Community Service Oriented project report “SOIL
FERTILITY” is based on my own work carried out during the course of my study
under the supervision of Mrs. S. Suneetha (Assistant Professor)
I assert the statements made and conclusions drawn are an outcome of my research
work. I further certify that
 The work contained in the report is original and has been done by me under the
general supervision of my supervisor.
 The work has not been submitted to any other Institution for any other
degree/diploma/certificate in this university or any other University of India or
abroad.
 We have followed the guidelines provided by the university in writing the report.
 Whenever we have used materials (data, theoretical analysis, and text) from other
sources, we have given due credit to them in the text of the report and giving their
details in the references.
I.HEMANTH REDDY (20551A0425)

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GODAVARI INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
(Autonomous)
NH-16, Chaitanya Knowledge City, Rajahmandry-53329
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Community Service Oriented project work entitled
“SOIL FERTILITY” is the bonafide work done and carried by IRRI HEMANTH
REDDY (20551A0425) who carried out the Community Service Oriented project work
under my supervision during the academic year 2022-23 towards partial fulfillment of
the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Electronics and
Communication Engineering as per the regulations of Godavari Institute of Engineering
and Technology (A), Rajahmundry, A.P, Affiliated to the JNTUK, Kakinada.
Signature of Guide Signature of the Head of the Department
Mrs. S. Suneetha Dr. B. SRINIVAS RAJA
PROJECT GUIDE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT
E.C.E, GIET(A) Department of E.C.E, GIET(A)

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GODAVARI INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
(Autonomous)
NH-16, Chaitanya Knowledge City, Rajahmandry-53329
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
ERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
I solemnly declare that this Community Service Oriented project work entitled
“SOIL FERTILITY” is the bonafide work done purely done IRRI HEMANTH
REDDY (20551A0425)carried out under the supervision of Mrs.S. Sunitha (Assistant
professor) towards partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of
Technology in Electronics and Communication Engineering as administered under the
Regulations of Godavari Institute of Engineering & Technology, Rajahmundry, AP,
India and award of the Degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University,
Kakinada during the year 2022-2023.
We also declare that no part of this document has been taken up verbatim from any
source without permission from the author(s)/publisher(s).
It is further certified that this work has not been submitted, either in part of in full
,to any other department of the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada,
or any other University, institution or elsewhere, in India or abroad or for publication in
any form.
I.HEMANTH REDDY (20551A0425)

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are grateful to our guide Mrs.S.SUNEETHA(Assistant Professor) for
having given us the opportunity to carry out this Community Service Oriented project
work. We take this opportunity to express our profound and whole heartful thanks to
our guide, who with his patience support and sincere guidance helped us in successful
completion of the Community Service Oriented project. We are particularly indebted to
him for his innovative ideas, valuable suggestions and guidance during the entire period
of our Community Service Oriented project work and without his unfathomable energy
and enthusiasm, this Community Service Oriented project would not have been
completed.
We would like to thank Dr. B. SRINIVAS RAJA, Professor and Head of the
Department, for this constructive criticism throughout our Community Service Oriented
project.
We would like to express our deep sense of gratitude to Dr. P.M.M.S SARMA,
principal for Electronics and Communication Engineering, GIET (A) for their direct
help during the Community Service Oriented project work.
We would also like to thank all the faculty members and non-teaching staff of
the department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, GIET (A) for their
direct and indirect help during the Community Service Oriented project work.
We own our special thanks to the MANAGEMENT of our college for providing
necessary arrangements to carry out this Community Service Oriented project.
The euphoria and satisfaction of completing this Community Service Oriented
project will not be completed until we thank all the people who have helped us in the
successful completion of this enthusiastic task. Lastly, we thank our parents for their
ever-kind blessings.
I.HEMANTH REDDY (20551A0425)

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INDEX
Declaration i
Certificate by Guide ii
Certificate of Authentication iii
Acknowledgement iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE NO.
1. Introduction
1.1Soil fertility…………………………………………………. 9-10
1.2Methods of evaluating soil fertility…………………………. 10-14
1.3About the village……………………………………………. 15
2. Socio-economic survey of village
2.1Nutrients in soil……………………………………………... 16-17
2.2Types of soil fertility………………………………………... 17
2.3Ways to improve soil fertility………………………………. 18-20
2.4Uses of organic fertilizers…………………………………… 20-21
3. Soil testing
3.1Objectives of soil testing…………………………………….. 22
3.2How to sample soils…………………………………………. 22
3.3Method of soil testing……………………………………….. 23
4. Problem and analysis
4.1identification of the problem…………………………………. 24
4.2analysis of the problem related to village…………………….. 24-27
5. Action-plan for possible solutions
5.1Short-term plan………………………………………………... 28
5.2Long-term plan………………………………………………… 29
6. Recommendations and conclusions …………………………… 29
References ………………………………………………………. 29

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LIST OF FIGURES
Fig 1.1 Soil fertility
Fig 2.1 Nitrogen deficiency in bean leaves
Fig 2.2 Potassium deficiency in mango leaves
Fig 2.3 Organic matter
Fig 2.4 Green manuring
Fig 2.5 Biochar
Fig 2.6 Mulching
Fig 2.7 Mixed cropping
Fig 2.8 Liming
Fig 3.1 Some soil sampling tools
Fig 3.2 Divided plots based on uniformity
a) Based on land shape and topography
b) Based on drainage and soil colour
Fig 3.3 A zigzag sampling layout on a near level surface
Fig 3.4 Collecting soil sample using sampling tube
Fig 3.5 Collecting soil samples using a shovel, spade or cutlass
Fig 3.6 Mixing of soil samples after collection
Fig 3.7 Getting the sample ready for laboratory test

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Description of nutrient deficiency symptoms in crops
Table 2 Sufficiency range of nutrient elements in some crops
Table 3 Nutrient content (NPK) sin some commonly used organic materials
Table 4 Applications of lime

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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 SOIL FERTILITY
Soil fertility is the ability of a soil to provide the nutrients needed by crop plants to grow.
The primary nutrients plants take up from soils include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
calcium and magnesium. Frequently, we need to supplement soil nutrients by adding
fertilizer, manure or compost, for good crop growth.Sufficient soil depth for adequate
root growth and water retention.
Good internal drainage, allowing sufficient aeration for optimal root growth (although
some plants, such as rice, tolerate water logging).Topsoil or horizon O is with
sufficient soil organic matter for healthy soil structure and soil moisture retention.Soil
pH in the range 5.5 to 7.0 (suitable for most plants but some prefer or tolerate more acid
or alkaline conditions).Adequate concentrations of essential plant nutrients in plant-
available forms.Presence of a range of microorganisms that support plant growth.
Soil, being the natural medium for plant growth has a direct impact on yield and quality
of crops growing on it. Measurement of the fertility of an agricultural soil tells much
about the productive potential. Fortunately, producers can control fertility by managing
the plant’s nutritional status. Nutrient status is an unseen factor in plant growth, except
when imbalances become so severe that visual symptoms appear on the plant. At
present, the greatest challenge before agriculture is to boost food production and
productivity as well as sustainability of agriculture as a whole. There are problems that
impose limits on these objectives or goals which raise serious concerns about national
food security. These include deterioration of soil fertility, increase in cost of production,
and low diversity of production systems.
However, the need for improved crop productivity is more now than ever because the
increasing rate of population growth at about 3% in Rajupalem and the consequent
pressures from competing demands for land over time have resulted in cultivatable land
being drawn from its traditional agricultural uses.

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Low fertility of Nigerian soils is the major constraint in achieving high productivity
goals. In both rain-fed and irrigated systems, nutrient replenishment through fertilizers
and manures remains far below the crop removal, thus causing mining of native reserves
over the years.
Fig 1.1 Soil fertility
1.2 METHODS OF EVALATING SOIL FERTILITY
There are three basic tools for evaluating soil fertility. They are listed below based on their
relevancies, starting with the least useful:
(1) Visual symptoms of nutrient deficiency
(2) Plant tissue analysis
(3) Soil analysis
Using visual symptoms of nutrient deficiency to determine fertilizer needs
Visual nutrient deficiency symptoms can be a very powerful diagnostic tool for evaluating
the nutrient status of plants. One should keep in mind, however, that a given individual visual
symptom is seldom sufficient to make a definitive diagnosis of a plant’s nutrient status. Wade
(2010) argued that many of the classic deficiency symptoms such as tip burn, chlorosis and
necrosis are characteristically associated with more than one mineral deficiency and also with
other stresses that by themselves are not diagnostic for any specific nutrient stress. However,
their detection is extremely useful in making an evaluation of nutrient status. In the vast
majority of cases, nutrient deficiencies can substantially reduce production without showing
any clear symptoms. This problem is referred to as “hidden hunger” whereby a deficiency is
having a negative effect without being recognized , though if an early diagnosis is made,
effective action can usually be taken.
An observant farmer can learn to use the visual method quickly and with great advantage. Such
farmer must be very familiar with the basic theoretical knowledge of nutrients deficiencies as

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described in Table 1 as well as the practical knowledge of recognizing the symptoms when
spotted on the field.
Plant tissue analysis
Plant tissue analysis is a laboratory determination of the total elemental content of plants or of
certain plant parts (Steinhilber and Salak, 2010; Reuter and Robinson, 1997). It is used for a
variety of purposes including monitoring the nutrient status of crops and troubleshooting
problem areas. It also serves as the basis for nutrient recommendations for perennial fruit crops
(Steinhilber and Salak, 2010). It is the only way to know whether or not a crop is adequately
nourished during the growing season (Flynn et al., 2004). Plant tissue analysis should not be
confused with tissue testing. Tissue testing typically refers to a field test that involves taking
sap samples from fresh plant tissue and analyzing the samples on site. Plant tissue analysis is
performed on dried plant tissue that has been processed in a laboratory (Steinhilber and Salak,
2010).
Plant tissue analysis can detect unseen deficiencies (Flynn et al., 2004; Cleveland et al., 2008;
Steinhilber and Salak, 2010; Walsh and Steinhiber, 2005), confirm visual symptoms of
deficiencies and detect toxic levels of nutrients. Though usually used as a diagnostic tool for
future correction of nutrient problems, plants tissue analysis from young plants will allow a
corrective fertilizer application that same season (Flynn et al., 2004; Cleveland et al., 2008).
The most important use of plant analysis is to monitor nutrient status and diagnose existing
nutrient problems (Flynn et al., 2004; Cleveland et al., 2008) as well as to keep an excellent
yearly record of crop nutrient use and needs under different environmental conditions.
Although very detailed, plant tissue analysis results cannot be used as a sole determinant for
generating nutrient recommendation for crops. It is therefore pertinent to look at the primary
source of the nutrient - the soil, rather than the tissue. The result of the soil test will be very
important in determining nutrient needs of crops.
Soil analysis
Soil testing is used to determine both the amount of each nutrient that is immediately available
and the amount that can become available during the life of a crop. Various methods have been
developed and the key to success is that the methods must be calibrated.

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Soil testing involves collecting soil samples, preparation for analysis, chemical or physical
analysis, interpretation of analysis results, and finally making fertilizer and lime
recommendations for the crops
It is most useful before planting to predict lime or fertilizer needs (Reisenauer et al., 1983).
Also, it measures levels of specific nutrients in a soil. However, it cannot indicate whether
plants growing in that soil are able to take up the nutrients. Soil test are the best way to assess
soil pH (Kidder, 1993).
A soil test can determine fertility, or the expected growth potential of the soil which indicates
nutrient deficiencies, potential toxicities from excessive fertility and inhibitions from the
presence of non-essential trace minerals. The test is used to mimic the function of roots to
assimilate minerals.
To test soil nutrient content, a sample is added to an extractant solution and mixed (typically
by shaking). Then, the liquid content is filtered and analyzed for chemical elements' presence
and concentrations (converted to dry matter). The obtained number is the soil-test index.
Standard soil tests typically evaluate pH, buffer pH, organic matter, cation exchange capacity,
phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and base saturation. Micronutrient soil testing
alone is generally not a reliable tool to predict potential micronutrient deficiencies.
Soil tests are used to determine the soil's nutrient level and pH content. Armed with this
information, farmers can define the quantity of fertiliser and exact type that is needed for
application to improve the soil on your farm. This is essential because fertile soils are necessary
to grow healthy crops.

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.
Table 1 description of nutrient deficiency symptoms in crops

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Table 2. Sufficiency range of nutrient elements in some crops.

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1.3 ABOUT THE VILLAGE
According to Census 2011 information the location code or village code of PedarajuPalem
village is 591473. Pedaraju Palem village is located in Chandra Sekhara Puram mandal of
Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is situated 14km away from sub-district
headquarter Chandra Sekhara Puram (tehsildar office) and 118km away from district
headquarter Ongole. As per 2009 stats, Pedarajupalem is the gram panchayat of Pedaraju Palem
village.
The total geographical area of village is 1793 hectares. Pedaraju Palem has a total population
of 2,052 peoples, out of which male population is 1,077 while female population is 975.
Literacy rate of pedaraju palem village is 61.79% out of which 75.21% males and 46.97%
females are literate. There are about 545 houses in pedaraju palem village .Pin code of
pedarajupalem village locality is 523108.
Soil, land and water are essential resources for the sustained quality of human life and the
foundation of agricultural development. Sound knowledge about soil fertility status is very
much relevant for identifying constraints in crop husbandry for attaining sustained productivity
and facilitating agro technology transfer programme. It is a function of crop nutrient needs,
supply of nutrients from indigenous sources and the short- and long term fate of the applied
fertilizer nutrients as Indian agriculture is operating on a net negative balance of plant nutrients
at the rate of 10 million tonnes per annum.Long term experiments indicated that imbalanced
use of nutrients through fertilizers has a deleterious effect on soil health leading to unsustainable
productivity.
One of the reasons for lower production is imbalanced use of fertilizers by the farmers without
knowing soil fertility status and nutrient requirement of crops which causes adverse effect on
soil and crop both in terms of nutrient toxicity and deficiency. A soil resource inventory
provides an insight into the potentialities and limitations of soils for its effective
exploitation.The study has generated a lot of information related to the soil physico – chemical
properties and their interrelationship for better understanding of soil fertility which would
provide the basis for implementing the advanced technologies for sustainable crop production
with higher profitability.

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CHAPTER 2
SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY OF VILLAGE:
2.1 NUTRIENTS IN SOIL
For plant growth seventeen elements are essential. They are categorized into macro- and
micro(trace) elements.
Macro- elements Source
Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H2), Oxygen (O) Air and water
Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium
(K), Calcium (C)
Soil solids and some from
air
Magnesium (Mg), Sulphur (S) Soil solids
Micro(Trace)- elements
Iron (Fe), Molybdenum (Mo), Copper (Cu),
Zinc (Zn)Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co),
Boron (Bo), Chlorine (Cl)
Soil solids
 The macronutrients N, P and K are required in large quantities.
How to determine the fertility status of a soil and the nutrient needs of a crop
 Dark- colored soils are assumed to be fertile and high in soil organic matter. Soils with
a loamy texture are also assumed to be more fertile than sandy soils.
 Very poor initial growth
 Stunting in early growth
 Restricted or abnormal root growth
 Maturing too early or too late
 Growth is different from crops growing close by
 Poor-quality products: appearance, taste, firmness, moisture content

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 Leaf symptoms that may point to deficiencies of specific nutrients.
Fig 2.1 Nitrogen deficiency Fig 2.3 Phosphorus deficiency in Fig 2.2 Potassium deficiency
in bean leave young maize leaves in mango leaves
2.2 TYPES OF SOIL FERTILITY
1. Inherent / Natural Fertility:
 Nature's soil includes nutrients known as “inherent fertility”.
 Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are plant nutrients that are required for normal
crop growth and productivity.
 In India, soil includes 0.3 to 0.2 percent nitrogen, 0.03 to 0.3 percent phosphorus, and
0.4 to 0.5 percent potassium.
 Natural fertility has a limiting element that prevents fertility from decreasing.
2. Acquired Fertility:
 The fertility created through the application of manures and fertilizers, tillage,
irrigation, and so on is referred to as “acquired fertility”.
 A limiting element in acquired fertility is also present.
 Experiment results show that increasing the amount of fertilizer used has no
discernible effect on production.
 Thus, it is critical to apply fertilizer based on the nutritional content of the soil, which
is evaluated by soil testing.

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2.3 WAYS TO IMPROVE SOIL FERTLITY
1. Organic matter:
 Manure must be added to give nitrogen, which is a necessary component of productive
soil. Dung from healthy, free-range animals are preferable to manure from factory-
farmed animals.
 If the animal excrement is in good condition, you must wait at least three months before
spreading it on the garden bed or harvesting your vegetables. This will protect against
contamination.
Fig 2.3 Organic matter
2. Biochar:
 The application of biochar in acidic soils leads to an increase in soil pH, which leads
to an increase in agricultural productivity.
 Biochar can act as a stable carbon source in the soil and boost soil CEC, hence
preserving several micro-and macronutrients.
 Biochar treatment improves the overall soil enzyme, which comes from MO, plants,
and animals.
Fig 2.5 Biochar

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3. Green Manuring:
 The main function of a green manure crop is to prepare the soil for succeeding crops.
Green manures work by drawing the nutrients from soil & storing them in their
bodies.
 Simultaneously green manure serves as a source of food for several soil microbes and
organisms.
Fig 2.4 Green Manuring
 Their movement & activity helps build a good soil structure & by feeding on the organic
matter, they allow for its distribution in soils.
 Green manuring is a practice that can be easily applied to large farming plots and small
vegetable gardens.
4. Mulching:
 Mulch is a layer of material that is applied to the surface of the soil.
 Reasons for applying mulch are conservation of soil moisture, improving fertility &
health of the soil, decreasing weed growth, and enhancing the visual appeal of the
area.
 The procedure is used both in commercial crop production as well as in gardening and
if applied correctly, can radically improve soil productivity.

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Fig 2.6 Mulching
5. Mixed cropping:
 A lesser-known method to improve soil fertility is to sow different crops in the same
field in order to avert soil erosion and control the spread of soil-borne plant diseases.
 And doing this with the legumes will have the benefit of putting nitrate into the soil.
Always try to use deep-rooted vegetables that will enhance soil fertility naturally.
Fig 2.7 Mixed cropping
2.4 USE OF ORGANIC FERTILIZERS( MANURE,COMPOST,CROP
RESIDUES)
Organic fertilizers are materials derived from plant and animal droppings such as weed residues,
tree pruning's, urine, green manure, farmyard manure, crop residues, and others. These are used
to fertilize the soil. Plants contain three substances that define their quality as organic fertilizer:
Nitrogen, Phenols and Lignin.
1. Nitrogen
 Plants with a high content of nitrogen have dark green leaves and make a
good organic fertilizer.
 Plants with yellowish leaves, have little nitrogen and are poor organic fertilizer.

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2. Phenols
 Phenols are substances in the plants that make them rot slowly. A plant with a lot of
phenols will make low-quality fertilizer.
 Different parts of plants contain different quantities of phenols. If the stems contain a
lot of phenols and the leaves less, then is better to use only the leaves as fertilizer.
3. Lignin
 When plants die, some rot quickly and release the nutrients into the soil within a short
time, others rot slowly. Plants that are woody contain a lot of the substance lignin, which
makes them rot more slowly.
 Plants that rot quickly make generally better organic fertilizer, as the crops can use their
nutrients sooner. So, plants containing a lot of lignin rot more slowly and make a
poor organic fertilizer.
TABLE 3:Nutrient content (npk) sin some commonly used organic materials
Compost
(household)
0.5 0.2 0.8
Grevillea leaves 1.37 0.06 0.64
Bean trash 0.8 0.07 1.57
Banana stalks 0.73 0.18 4.10
Sugar cane trash 0.47 0.06 1.23
Organic material Nitrogen % Phosphate % Potash %
Cow manure 0.4-0.6 0.2 0.2-0.5
Horse manure 0.5-0.7 0.3 0.6
Goat manure 1.4 0.2 0.3-1.0
Sheep manure 0.7 0.3 0.4
Human waste 2.0 1.0 0.2
Pig manure 0.5 0.3-0.4 0.5-0.8

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CHAPTER 3
SOIL TESTING
3.1 OBJECTIVES OF SOIL TESTING
 To accurately determine the status of available nutrients in soils (P, K, Mg, pH, Zn, B)
 To clearly indicate to the farmer the seriousness of any deficiency or excess that may
exist in terms of various crops
 To form the basis on which fertilizer needs are determined
 To express the results in such a way that they permit an economic evaluation of the
suggested fertilizer recommendation
3.2 HOW TO SAMPLE SOILS
It is not possible to move the entire soil of the farm to the laboratory for analysis. Only a small
sample is required. A good sample is the first requirement for a reliable soil test. This sample
should be a true representative of the farm/plot/field, that is, it should contain all the
characteristics of the soil on this farm/plot/field. The proper methods of collecting and handling
samples are determined by certain factors (Canadian Society of Soil Science, 2008).
 Accuracy and precision
 Sample areas that are representative of the farm
 Effect of farm size on accuracy
 When, how deep and how often to sample
 The use to be made of the analyses
 The pattern and ease of recognition of soil variability
 Previous and proposed management practices.
Fig 3.1 Some soil sampling tools Fig 3.2 Divided plots based on uniformity

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3.3 METHOD OF SOIL TESTING
To sample a farm: A rough map of the farm dividing it into sampling units as shown in Figures
4a and b was made. A composite soil sample is taken from each soil sampling unit. The farm
was then sampled as indicated in the following illustrations:
 Use the right sampling tool: The best tool is a metal tube called a sampling-tube.
However, if this is not available, any of the materials illustrated below could be used
(Fig 3.1). These include cutlass, shovel, hand trowel and augur.
 The sample: A composite sample; comprising of 10 to proceeds as follows:
(i) Dig a v- shaped hole, 15 cm (6 inches) deep
(ii)Then take one-and a –quarter centimeter (1/2 inch) slice of soil sample from the
smooth side of the v- shaped hole illustrated in Fig 3.5
 Put all the core samples taken from the soil area together in a clean plastic bucket, as a
composite sample.
 Mix the sample well with a clean rod or with your hand in the bucket (Fig 3.6).
 Pour the soil sample into a clean plastic bag and tie it securely (Fig 3.7).
 Label each plastic bag of sample properly.
 Fill out the information requested as accurately as possible and send the sample to
laboratory for analysis (Fig 3.7).
Fig 3.5 Collecting soil samples Fig 3.4 Collecting soil sample Fig 3.3 A zigzag sampling layout
using a shovel, spade or cutlass using sampling tube on a near level surface
Fig 3.6 Mixing of soil samples Fig 3.7 Getting the sample ready
after collection for laboratory test

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CHAPTER 4
4.1 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM
1. Loss of top soil by erosion
2. Nutrient mining
3. Physical degradation of soil (poor structure, compaction, crusting and water logging etc)
4. Decrease in organic matter content and soil bioactivity
5. Loss of nutrients through various routes
6. Soil acidificatio, salinization and alkalinization
7. Inefficient soil management
8. Soil pollution
4.2 ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM RELATED TO VILLAGE
EARTH WORMS
 Soil micro- and macro-organisms are responsible for the decomposition
of organic matter and formation of humus and thus essential for a healthy soil. They
play a key role in the recycling of soil nutrients and greatly improve their availability to
plants.
 Earthworms are promoted by the abundance of good compost. The growth of
earthworms in organic wastes is called vermiculture while the processing of wastes
using earthworms is called vermicomposting.
How to rear earthworms
Materials required:
 A plastic open drum or a wooden box measuring ca. 60 cm deep, 180 cm long and 120
cm wide
 Topsoil with some worms
 Fresh dung or droppings from cattle, sheep, goats, pigs or rabbits

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 Dry materials, e.g. grass
 A suitable cover, e.g. a sisal sack
 Some water
Procedure
 Step 1: Mix all the top soil, dung/droppings, grass and some water thoroughly in the
open drum or box. Do not use too much water to avoid making the growth medium too
wet and therefore unsuitable for worm rearing
 Step 2: Cover the mixture of topsoil, dung etc, with a sisal sack and place the drum or
box in the shade. Make sure that moist conditions predominate in the growth medium
all the time
 Step 3: Harvesting. In two weeks the worms have grown and multiplied. The big worms
can be harvested by sieving them with a wire mesh. Place them in a separate container
for use according to the desired purpose.
Using earthworms to make vermicompost
 Vermicomposting is the use of earthworms to transform organic materials into
rich, organic fertilizers.
 They accelerate the composting process and the addition of this compost to the soil,
results in improved chemical, biological and physical properties and better conditions
for plant growth.
 Common earthworm species used are the following:
 The tiger worm (Eisenia foetida), Kenyan highland forest pigmented earthworm,
African night crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae),Perionyx excavatus, Dendrobaena veneta,
Polypheretima elongata.
VERMICOMPOST
 The production of vermicompost requires from three to six months.
 Step 1: Construct the bed: Prepare a bed with a concrete, wood or plastic sheet bottom
and construct walls 20 to 30 cm in height using wood, logs or stone. Place a wooden
board across the bottom and line with chicken wire for better handling and aeration.

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 Step 2: Add coarse material: Place a 10 to 15 cm layer of coarse organic materials such
as banana trash, maize stover, coffee husks and other crop residues on top of the chicken
wire. The material must not contain poultry manure as this is harmful to worms
 Step 3: Add fine material and water: Place a 5 to 10 cm layer of manure on top of the
coarse material. Cattle, pig, sheep or goat manure are suitable. Green manure, such as
tree leaves or grass cuttings may be substituted. Mix some of the fine material with the
coarse layer. Sufficient water should be applied so that no pockets of dried material
remain. Wet materials such as banana trash and fresh manure need little watering while
dried materials may require as much as 30 liters of water per m2
of bed.
 Step 4: Release worms: Release the earthworms into the moist bed. Avoid handling
individual worms, rather place small handfuls of material rich in earthworms (clusters)
into 'holes' spaced about 0.5 m apart.
 Step 5: Cover the bed: Cover the bed with banana leaves or dark polythene plastic.
Inspect the bed regularly during composting for moisture and the presence of predators.
Ants will usually leave the bed if the underlying chicken wire is violently and repeatedly
shaken. Add new layers of banana leaves occasionally as the worms consume older
leaves.
 Step 6: Feed the bed: Organic materials may be applied to the bed regularly as
additional layers or in discrete locations. A common practice is to periodically apply
additional organic wastes by burying them in different positions within the bed.
Vermicompost is ready after three to six months.
 Step 7: Recover worms and vermicompost: When the vermicompost is ready, worms
are harvested and compost processed. Spread vermicompost in the sun to collect other
pockets of worms by hand as the vermicompost dries. The finished vermicompost is
uniform, dark and fine textured. It is best used as the main ingredient in a seedling or
potting medium after passing it through a 5 or10 mm mesh. A typical nutrient content
from a manure-based vermicompost using E. foetida is 1.9% N, 0.3% P and 2.7% K.
LIMING
A pH range of 5.5 to 6.5 is satisfactory for moderate yields of most crops. Though, for high
yields, the optimum pH values/ ranges differ for different soils and crops. Values under pH 4.5
to 5.0 (acid).

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Table 4 Applications of lime
How to know if the soil is acid?
Have the pH of the soil determined. Ask your agricultural extension officer where to test the
pH of your soil.
When must lime be applied and how often?
 In case of heavy soils apply lime once every 3-4 years on average. After 2-3 years
after application you see the optimum effect.
 After 3 years test the pH again to check if further liming is still needed.
 Apply small quantities of lime more often to avoid over liming in sandy soil.
 Lime can be applied every time of the year, but better before ploughing. Apply lime
at least 6-8 weeks before planting or sowing as it reacts slowly in the soil.
Fig 2.8 Liming
Soil texture pH 4.5-5.5 t/ha pH 5.5-6.5 t/ha
Sand to sandy loam 0.5 0.75
Sandy loam 1.0 1.5
Loam 1.5 2.0
Silt loam 2.5 3.0
Clay loam 3.0 4.0

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CHAPTER 5
ACTION-PLAN FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
5.1 SHORT TERM PLAN
 Short-term fertility management, focusing on the next season's needs and
potential response alone, can be a costly strategy.
 Farm operators with short-term plans find it difficult to commit to the
investment of building soil fertility levels
 Short-term management strategies may be very costly
 Satisfy human food and fibre needs
 Enhance environment quality and available soil resources
5.2 LONG TERM PLAN
 Long-term management plans including long-term soil tests and records of
fertilizer use and crop yields are essential tools for making use of new
variable-rate fertilizer application systems.
 Computerized mapping and application systems are not necessary to take
advantage of variable-rate fertilization.
 The time and expense of site-specific management make it essential that it
be a part of a long-term strategy.
 Maintain natural biological cycles and controls
 Sustain economic viability of farm operations
 Enhance the quality of life of farmers and society as a whole

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CHAPTER 6
RECOMMENDATIONS
 Soil Test Interpretations and Fertilizer Recommendations
 Fertilizer Recommendations - Interactive Workbook
 Different strategies of applying fertilizer
 Suggested maximum rates of fertilizer to be applied directly with seed
CONCLUSIONS
It is in connection with some of these benefits that organic fertilizers an manures are of
great importance in the maintenance of soil fertility .Different organic manures have
different contents of nutrients and thus provide different amounts of nutrients on
decomposition .Their composition therefore indicate their potential as manure or fertilizer ,
their efficiency and also suggest their management .Continuous removal of nutrients from
the soil via different means requires continuous replacement to maintain productivity. This
replacement (fertilization) requires specific knowledge in order to truly maximize yield,
minimize cost and to reduce adverse effect on soil/crops. Of the methods available, soil test
seems to be the easiest to predict fertilizer requirement for Nigerian farmers. At a certain
level, the complex tissue analysis may be used as a tool but it must be combined with soil
test result
REFERENCES
 https://infonet-biovision.org/EnvironmentalHealth/How-improve-soil-fertility
 https://krishijagran.com/agripedia/importance-of-soil-fertility-and-ways-to-
improve-it/
 https://rodaleinstitute.org/blog/20-ways-to-boost-soil-fertility/
 https://www.slideshare.net/SayakDas13/soil-fertility-and-sustainable-agriculture
 https://www.iaea.org/topics/improving-soil-fertility

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