Soil Water and Soil Conservation

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Soil Water and Soil Conservation, the JAMB Agricultural Science syllabus expects you to study:

• 2. Soil Water and Soil Conservation a. Soil water: its importance, sources,
• movement, management and conservation.
• b. Soil conservation: meaning and
• importance, causes, effects,
• prevention and control of leaching, erosion, continuous cropping, burning and oxidation of organic matter.
• c. Irrigation and drainage methods.

Study notes & guidance

Study Soil Water and Soil Conservation using a recommended Agricultural Science textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Agricultural Science, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Soil Water and Soil Conservation, you should be able to:

1. Compare capillary, gravitational and hygroscopic water. determine water-holding capacity, wilting points and plant available/unavailable water.
2. Identify the methods of soil water management and conservation. identify the causes of erosion and leaching. determine control methods.
3. Classify irrigation and drainage systems.
4. Examine the importance and challenges of irrigation and drainage.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Agricultural Science syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.