Posts

Showing posts from April, 2022

FUNDAMENTALS OFSOIL SCIENCE

 Definition and importance of soilDefinition: Is a naturally occurring unconsolidated material on the earth surface that has been influenced by parent material, climate, organisms and relief, all acting over a period of time to produce a soil that may differ from the material from which it was derived from in terms of physical, chemical, mineralogical, biological and morphological properties.Importance:Filter waterRegulate the flow of riversProvide habitat for millions of species of organismsProvide water, nutrients and support for plantsSequester carbon from the atmosphereServe as a “compost bin” for the EarthModerate and regulate distributions of solar energyProvide a historical record of the influences of climate and living organisms upon the parentmaterial from/in which the soil is formedSoil formation/pedogenesisSoil is formed from rocks through the process of weathering. Weathering is the chemical alteration and physical breakdown of rocks during exposure to the atmosphere (a...

ANIMAL NUTRITION

1.0 DIGESTION IN RUMINANTS AND NON-RUMINANTS 1.1 INTRODUCTIONProduction potential of an animal is determined by;The genetic make-up of the animal fixed at the time of conception,The environment, including feeding (nutrition), management and climate.Feeding ensures that an animal is supplied with nutrients which are required for various purposes within the body such as:Maintenance: physiological processes for survival of the animal are facilitated e.g. respiration, circulation, restoration of tear and wear, etc.Production: growth, reproduction, milk, eggs, wool e.t.c,Work.Definition of termsFood/feed- Is any material which, after ingestion by animals, is capable of being digested,         absorbed and utilized in the animal’s body.             NB. Not all their components are digestible.Nutrients-These are components of feed that are capable of being utilized by the animal.            -Examples- car...