Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL RES OURCE CONSERVATION IN AGRICULTURE
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PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL RES OURCE CONSERVATION IN AGRICULTURE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Agriculture
Class: SHS 2
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 4
Grade code: 2.3.2.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 2.3.2.CS.3
Indicator code: 2.3.2.LI.2
Theme: FOOD PRODUCTION AND NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Subtheme: PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL RES OURCE CONSERVATION IN AGRICULTURE
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Welcome, students. Have you ever walked past two farms growing the same crop, like maize, but one has tall, dark green, healthy-looking plants, while the other has short, yellowish, and weak plants? The major difference is often what is in the soil. Just like we need balanced food to grow strong and healthy, plants need "food" from the soil to thrive. These plant foods are called soil nutrients. In Ghana, where agriculture is the backbone of our economy and feeds our families, understanding these nutrients is crucial for every farmer, from the backyard tomato grower in Accra to the large-scale cocoa farmer in the Western Region.
A. What are Soil Nutrients?
Soil nutrients are chemical elements found in the soil that are essential for plant growth and development. Plants absorb these nutrients, usually through their roots, to carry out all their life processes, such as photosynthesis, growth, and producing fruits and seeds. There are 17 essential nutrients, but we will focus on the most critical ones.
Think of it this way: Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen: Plants get these from air (CO₂) and water (H₂O). They are the basic building blocks. Mineral Nutrients: The remaining 14 essential elements come from the soil. These are what we focus on when we talk about soil fertility. B. Classification of Soil Nutrients
We classify soil nutrients based on the quantity a plant needs. Macronutrients: These are nutrients required by plants in relatively large amounts. Primary (or Major) Macronutrients: These are the most important and most frequently deficient in the soil. They are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). This is why you often see fertilizers labelled "NPK". Secondary Macronutrients: These are also needed in large amounts, but usually less than the primary ones. They are Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulphur (S). Micronutrients (or Trace Elements): These are nutrients required by plants in very small quantities. Although needed in small amounts, their absence can cause serious problems for the plant. They include Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), and Chlorine (Cl).