educational purposes (agriculture notes)

  Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Cycle is a  biogeochemical process  through which nitrogen is converted into many forms, consecutively passing from the atmosphere to the soil to organism and back into the atmosphere. It involves several processes such as nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, decay and putrefaction. Nitrification In this process, the ammonia is converted into nitrate by the presence of bacteria in the soil. Nitrites are formed by the oxidation of ammonia with the help of  Nitrosomonas  bacteria species. Later, the produced nitrites are converted into nitrates by  Nitrobacter . This conversion is very important as ammonia gas is toxic for plants. The reaction involved in the process of Nitrification is as follows: 2NH 3  + 3O 2  → 2NO 2 –  + 2H +  + 2H 2 O 2NO 2 –  + O 2  → 2NO 3 – Assimilation Primary producers – plants take in the nitrogen compounds from the soil with the help of their roo...

Water Conservation   Water conservation is the practice of an efficient usage of water by reducing unnecessary wastage of the same. The importance of water conservation becomes even more necessary as there is a limited source of freshwater that is beneficial for all human beings for a Healthy lifestyle. The freshwater available for use is unevenly distributed. Human activities are polluting the water sources threatening the survival of living beings. So, water conservation focuses on the concept of “save water and save a life”. Water conservation involves the efforts of every citizen, and all the policies, strategies and activities   and farming practices that contribute to the sustainable use of fresh water. Farming practices to conserve water include the following. 1. Drip irrigation Drip irrigation is the most efficient way to provide crops with the necessary water and nutrients for optimal growth. This method delivers  water  and nutrients directly to the ro...

  The reproductive system of a cow  The reproduction system of a cow consists of primary and secondary reproductive organs only  cow consists of the following parts Two ovaries, which are oval to bean-shaped organs that are 1—1.5 inches long and located in the abdominal cavity. A series of tubes that receive semen, transport sperm to the egg so it can be fertilized, nourish the fertilized egg (embryo), and allow the calf to be birthed. These tubes include the vestibule, vagina, cervix, uterine horns, and uterine tubes (oviduct). The cow is a continual-type, polyoestral species with an average cycle length of 21/22 days for previously bred cows and 20 days for heifers. Sexual activity starts at puberty, when the animal has reached 40 to 45% of its adult weight, and then follows a cyclic pattern, characterised by the periodic onset of oestrus 4 DIVISION OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF A COW 

  Livestock anatomy  1. Ruminants   Ruminant animals  are animals of the suborder Ruminantia which are defined by their ability to ferment their food thanks to specially adapted compartmentalized stomachs. They chew a cud to help with digestion with their food being further broken down by microbial agents in their stomachs. They also have other similarities such as the fact they all have hooves for locomotor function. Some examples of these animals are yak, sheep, goats and deer, although there are many more types of ruminants in nature. 2. Non-Ruminants  Non-ruminant animals are omnivores or carnivores with a single stomach compartment within the digestive system .  They do not engage in the regurgitation and re-chewing of their food, as their digestive process is more linear and rapid 2 .  Examples of non-ruminant animals include Human Horse Swine Fowl Dog                          ...

  The water cycle  water cycle,  cycle that involves the continuous circulation of water in the Earth - atmosphere system . Of the many processes involved in the water cycle, the most important are evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. water cycle processes  1.Precipitation Precipitation is a key part of the water cycle , connecting the ocean, land, and atmosphere 1 2 3 4 5 . It includes various forms such as rain, sleet, and snow. Here's how it works: Water evaporates from the surface of the earth. It rises into the atmosphere. It cools and condenses into clouds. Clouds release precipitation back to the surface 2.Run off The flow of water across the earth's surface 1 . Precipitation that falls on the land and flows overland into rivers, which then empty into the oceans 2 . Water that replenishes groundwater and surface water as it percolates into an aquifer or moves into a river, stream, or watershed 3 . 3.Infiltration  the action...

                                            SOIL TYPES   ere are four main types of soil 1 2 : Sandy soil Silt soil Clay soil Loam soil  Characteristics of soil types   Sandy : Largest soil particles with large air spaces between them. Silt : Smaller than sand but bigger than clay particles. Clay : Smallest particles. Loam : A mixture of sand, silt, and clay particles.

  Weathering  what is weathering  Weathering describes the breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on the surface of Earth. Water, ice, acids, salts, plants, animals, and changes in temperature are all agents of weathering. Types of weathering  1. Physical Weathering 2. Chemical Weathering  3. Biological Weathering  Physical Weathering  Also known as mechanical weathering, physical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition. Various environmental factors drive this process, including  temperature  fluctuations,  pressure changes , and biological activity. Chemical Weathering  Chemical weathering is a  process in which rocks and other materials are broken down by chemical reactions 1 2 .  It occurs when water and chemicals dissolved within it come into contact with rocks and  change their composition 1 2 .  Some of the chemical ...