COURSE CODE: SOS 312
COURSE TITLE: Soil Chemistry and Microbiology
NUMBER OF UNITS: 3 Units
COURSE DURATION: Three hours per week
COURSE DETAILS:
Course Coordinator: Dr. Christopher Olu Adejuyigbe B.Agric, M.Sc. PhD
Email: adejuyigbeco@unaab.edu.ng
Office Location: Room 239, COLPLANT
Other Lecturers: Dr. (Mrs) O.A. Babalola; Dr. J. O. Azeez; Dr. (Mrs) F.A. Olowokere; and Dr. M. O. Dare
COURSE SYNOPSIS:
Introduction to soil chemistry; chemical composition of soils; Soil colloids; silicate clay chemistry. Soil chemical processes: soil solution, adsorption/desorption, ion exchange, oxidation/reduction, acidity, alkalinity. Active acidity. Buffering capacity and liming. Environmental effects of fertilizer use. Structure of organic matter; its importance in tropical soils. Soil organisms: classification, distribution and growth requirements. Macro  and micro-fauna, macro- and microflora. Relationships between the rizhosphere and soil organisms, nitrogen fixation. Composting. Biodegradation of pollutants and pesticides.
Practical: Particle size analysis; pH determination; cation exchange capacity; organic carbon; identifying nutrient deficiency symptoms in plants.
