The laboratory unit is comprised of three laboratories; Soil/Chemistry; Biology and; Physics laboratory.
SOIL/CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
The Soil/Chemistry laboratory of ESPOLY, is a teaching and research laboratory, established for the purpose of carrying out complete essay on soil samples using analytical reagents obtained from a prepared standardized solution. The analysis produces result ensures that the farmer cultivates crops on a piece of land with known physical and chemical properties.
Complete assay on soil samples include the underlined among others;
a) Determination of particle size by Bouyoucos Hydrometer Method:
b) Determination of soil Hydraulic conductivity using core sampling technique:
c) Determination of bulk density using core sampler method:
2. Beside the physical properties above, chemical properties are also determined, some of these properties include oil sulphur and extractable sulphur in a given soil sample, Soil Nitrate Determination of soil PH, carbon content using wet oxidation method, Total Nitrogen in soil, Cu, Mg, Na and K in soil sample using modified methods, Phosphorus content using Bray ll method, Fertilizer analysis and plant materials, Iron and magnesium content in soil sample.
In addition to this, as a teaching laboratory, it provides avenue for the students to have the knowledge of; Techniques used during separation,
Laboratory preparation of hydrogen and oxygen, Preparation of organic compounds like ethanol, through fermentation, Preparation of soap and some acid, base and commonly used salts.
In conclusion, farmers are advised to determine the chemical and physical properties of soil before cultivation.
BIOLOGY LABORATORY
Biology is a science of life and living organism. This application of the natural life sciences to the development and betterment of the primary sector (that delivers food to our door steps, supermarkets, markets to both local and international etc.) is the purpose of ESPOLY’s College of Agriculture, where we do Agriculture.
The usefulness of biology in this respect cannot be overemphasized; therefore there is a fully equipped Biology Laboratory in ESPOLY that gives proper education on Biology through constant development of Human Industry, technologies, methods and understanding of the world on both Micro and Macro Scale.
Some of the experiments we offer in the Biology Laboratory include
a. Phytochemical analysis which involves determination of chemical compounds which occur naturally in plant-based foods like the steroid, flavournoid, alkaloid and saponin.
b. Proximate analysis of food to find out the percentage component of all the six classes of food (Protein, Carbohydrates, Fats, Moisture, Fibre, Ash).
c. Factors necessary for photosynthesis to occur in plant, and also
d. How Plasmolysis, Osmosis and diffusion take place in plant.
e. Observation of various stages of cell division from a prepared slide.
Finally, scientific research that goes on in the biological laboratory have undoubtedly improved the quality of the students. Therefore, we encourage all to visit the college of Agriculture and
Agro-Entrepreneurship, Iwollo where we do Agriculture and also commercialize it
ANIMAL DIAGNOSTIC UNIT
In the Animal Diagnostic Unit, we carry out diagnosis of diseases of livestock, pet animals and birds.
The laboratory has facilities to handle;
i. Parasitological examinations
ii. Bacteriological examinations including sensitivity testing.
iii. We equally carry out instructions to our students with our museum preservation.
iv. We have facilities and personnel to carry out postmorterm on dead animals and birds and advice farmers.
v. We equally carryout inoculation of birds and livestock as well as pet animals.
vi. Arrangements are on to establish a virology unit of the Animal Diagnostic laboratory to handle most of the viral infections affecting poultry and other animals.
