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CChemistryBiologyS3 to S6Agriculture
Agriculture lab: soil testing, lime and fertiliser
Many hillside soils are acidic and tired. Test the soil, add the right amount of lime and fertiliser, and grow more maize without wasting money.
LevelS3 to S6 (and TVET agriculture)
TimeAbout 40 min
You usePercentages, pH, neutralisation
PriceFree: no account
🎯 Aim
To use soil test results to plan lime and fertiliser for maize, and to explain limiting factors and neutralisation of acidic soils.
You will learn to
- Calculate fertiliser amounts from percentage composition.
- Explain the effect of soil pH and liming.
- Identify the limiting factor for yield.
- Scale amounts from hectares to a family plot.
🧭 What to do
- Choose Field A and read the soil test.
- Add fertiliser and read the yield and what limits it.
- Add Agricultural lime (CaCO₃) until the pH is above 5.5.
- Try Fields B and C, and change the Urea on the graph.
- Answer the questions with the class data.
- Write your conclusion and download your lab report.
📋 The data
A farmer’s plan for maize on an acidic plot (example recommendations).
🧠 Investigate: answer from the data
Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.
➕ Get more from this experiment
📝 Free
Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.
📦 Premium Lab Pack
1 000 RWF
- Practical worksheet: test soil pH at school with indicator
- Fertiliser and lime calculations
- Teacher guide and answer key
- Exam-style questions with marking scheme
👩🏫 For teachers
Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.
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