AGRICULTURE PAPER 1 - 2019 KCSE STAREHE MOCK EXAMS (QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CANDIDATES

• This paper consists of THREE sections A, B and C.
• Answer all the questions in the sections A and B.
• Answer any TWO questions in section C.
• Candidates should answer the questions in English.

SECTION: A 30 MARKS
Answer all the questions from this section.

1. Give TWO forms of collective land tenure system in Kenya. (1 mark)
2. State TWO causes of hard pans in a crop field. (1 mark)
3. Define the following the term economic injury level as used in pest management.(1 mark)

4. Name the disease which cause a mass of dark spores on flowering parts of maize.(½ mark)

5. Give the reasons the following practices are carried out in pastures. (1 mark)
   1. Top dressing
   2. topping
6. Give TWO fresh market varieties of carrots. (1 mark)
7. Distinguish between seed dressing seed inoculation. (1 mark)
8.  
   1. What is biological weed control? (1 mark)
   2. TWO advantages of biological weed control. (1 mark)
9. State FOUR uses of gross margin analysis in agricultural production. (2 marks)

10. State FOUR uses of a green house in a farm. (2 marks)
11. Name a crop that will require the following training. (1 mark)
    1. Propping
    2. Trelishing
12. State FOUR soil factors that would influence the crop grown by the farmer. (2 marks)
13.  
    1. What is elasticity of demand? (1 mark)
    2. State FOUR reasons why an agricultural commodity may have its price elastic.(2 marks)        

14. State TWO factors that favour surface irrigation. (1 mark)
15. Give FOUR characteristics of a crop that a farmer would use to prepare green manure.(2 marks)
16.  
    1. Mention any TWO crops that can be used as a green manure crop. (1 mark)
    2. State TWO problems experienced by failing to carry out cutting back in pyrethrum.(1 mark)

17. Give THREE conditions which make it necessary to use a nursery in a crop establishment.    (1½ mark)
18. Differentiate between a cash book and a ledger. (1 mark)
19. State TWO biological methods of weed control. (1 mark)
20. State FOUR effects of late defoliation. (2 marks)
21. How does foreign exchange earned from agriculture contribute to economic development?    (1 mark)

SECTION B: 20 MARKS
Answer all the questions from this section.

22. The diagram below illustrates methods of raising seedlings. Study it and answer the questions that follow.
    
    
    1. State THREE advantages of using crop propagation method shown in diagram B and A.(3 marks)
    2. List TWO materials used to prepare the rooting medium in diagram B above. (2 marks)
    3. Which practice is carried out two weeks before transplanting seedlings from diagram A?
23. The diagram below illustrate methods of tree harvesting.
    
    
    1. Identify the methods of trees harvesting illustrated above. (1 mark)
       A-
       B-
    2. Name THREE products the farmer can get after carrying out the practice illustrated above. (1½ marks)

24. The diagram below shows a weed. Study it then answer questions below it.
    
    
    1. Identify the weed. (1 mark)
    2. Why is it difficult to control the above weed? (1 mark)
    3. State TWO effect of weed named in (a) above in management and utilization of pasture.
    4. Name one parasitic weed that affects cereals. (1 mark)
25. The method below shows a method used in preparation of compost manure. Study it and answer the questions that follow.
    
    
    1. Name the illustrated method. (1 mark)
    2. Give TWO factors to consider when siting the area to establish the method. (2 marks)
    3. What do the arrows represent? (1 mark)
26.  
    1. Identify the condition illustrated below as observed in the field production of tomatoes.(1 mark)
       
    2. State TWO conditions that predisposes a tomato plant to the condition stated in (a) above. (1 mark)
    3. Suggest TWO ways of controlling bacterial wilt in tomatoes. (1 mark)

SECTION C- 40 MARKS
Answer any TWO questions in this section.

27.  
    1. Explain THREE soil properties that are influenced by soil texture. (6 marks)
    2. Discuss the importance of timely weed control. (5 marks)
    3. Explain water management in a flooded rice field. (9 marks)
28.  
    1. Explain SIX roles of a farm manager in agricultural production. (6 marks)
    2. Explain that factors that are considered when selecting a farm enterprise. (14 marks)
29.  
    1. Discuss establishment and management of grass pasture crop stand up to grazing.(12 marks)
    2. Mention and discuss FOUR agencies involved in marketing agricultural produce.(8 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

SECTION A 30 MARKS

1. Give TWO forms of collective land tenure system in Kenya. 1mk
   • Communal tenure system
   • Cooperative tenure system

2. State TWO causes of hard pans in a crop field. 1mk
   • Use of heavy machinery in wet soil
   • Continuous shallow cultivation
   • Continuous cultivation at the same depth                                                                               

3. Define the following the term economic injury level as used in pest management. 1mk
   Point whereby crop damage by pest is beyond tolerance calling for immediate control

4. Name the disease which cause a mass of dark spores on flowering parts of maize.1/2 mk
   Maize Smut

5. Give the reasons the following practices are carried out in pastures. 1mk
   • Top dressing
     Increase herbage yield
     Encourage fresh pasture growth and avoid open places.

6. Give TWO fresh market varieties of carrots. 1mk
   • Nantes
   • Chantery

7. Distinguish between seed dressing seed inoculation. 1mk
   Seed dressing- is the coating of seeds with a fungicide or an insecticide or a combination of the two while seed inoculation is coating of legume seeds with the right strain of Rhizobium depending on the type of legume to encourage nodulation.

8.  
   1. What is biological weed control? 1mk
      Use of living organisms to control weeds.
   2. TWO advantages of biological weed control. 1mk
      • Saves on labour
      • Avoid environmental pollution/ Environmental freindly
      • Cheaper

9. State FOUR uses of gross margin analysis in agricultural production.2mks
   • To compare performance of one farm with another
   • To compare performance of one season with another
   • To compare performance of one enterprise with another in the same farm.
   • To measure the profit of the farm.

10. Sate FOUR uses of a green house in a farm. 2mks
    • Enable the farmer to grow through- out the year
    • Protect against adverse conditions
    • They are used in research work
    • Uses for easy control of pests and diseases

11. Name a crop that will require the following training. 1mk
    • Propping
      Banana
    • Trelishing
      Passion fruit

12. State FOUR soil factors that would influence the crop grown by the farmer. 2mks
    • Soil pH
    • Soil salinity
    • Soil water
    • Soil capillarity
    • Soil depth
    • Soil aeration
    • Soil fertility

13.  
    1. What is elasticity of demand? 1mk
       Degree of responsiveness of demand to change in price of a commodity at a given time or period.
    2. State FOUR factors that influence the elasticity of supply of maize in a specific market. 2mks 
       • Future price expectation
       • Future supply speculation
       • Degree of necessity
       • Lack of alternative
       • The Proportion the maize form in the peoples life.
       • Number of uses it can be put into.

14. State TWO factors that favour surface irrigation. 1mk
    • Relative flat topography
    • High capillarity
    • Large water supply

15.  
    1. Give FOUR characteristics of a crop that a farmer would use to prepare green manure. 2mks
       • High rate of growth
       • High rate of rotting
       • Highly leafy/ vegetative
       • A legume to fix nitrogen                                                                                                                                              
    2. Mention any TWO crops that can be used as a green manure crop. 1mk
       • Dhaincha
       • Clusterbeans
       • Sesbania rostrate

16. State TWO problems experienced by failing to carry out cutting back in pyrethrum. 1mk
    • Decline in production the following season
    • Bud disease attack

17. Give THREE conditions which make it necessary to use a nursery in a crop establishment. 1 ½ mk
    • When the seeds of the crop are very small
    • Crop seedlings are delicate and nee a lot of care.
    • Bulking up planting material is necessary e.g in sugar cane
    • Need of selecting strong and healthy seedlings
    • When cuttings used need special treatment.

18. Differentiate between a cash book and a ledger. 1mk
    Cash book is a financial book in which all transaction involving receiving and paying of cash are recorded where as a ledger is the principal book of account containing all entries.

19. State Two biological methods of weed control. 1mk
    • Moths used to control cactus
    • Weed eating fish for aquatic weeds
    • Livestock animals eating the weeds eg goats

20. State FOUR effects of late defoliation. 2mks
    • Forage has high DM content
    • High cellulose content hence low digestibility                  
    • Low leaf stem ratio
    • Low crude protein

21. How does foreign exchange earned from agriculture contribute to economic development? 1mk
    • It is to purchase goods and services that Kenya does not produce locally

SECTION B 20 marks
Answer all the questions from this section.

22. The diagram below illustrates methods of raising seedlings. Study it and answer the questions that follow.
    1. State THREE advantages of using crop propagation method shown in diagram B and A. 3mks
       • Prevents root disturbance during transpiration
       • Seedling establish faster in the field
       • Easy to transport the seedlings
       • Seedlings can be stored awaiting conductive environmental conditions for planting
       • The rooting medium in polythene sleeves can be kept free from soil borne pest and diseases
    2. List TWO materials used to prepare the rooting medium in diagram B above. 2mks
       • Susoil
       • Pesticides
       • Sand
       • Fertilizers
    3. Which practice is carried out two weeks before transplanting seedlings from diagram A. 1mk
       • Hardening off

23. The diagram below illustrate methods of tree harvesting.
    1. Identify the methods of trees harvesting illustrated above.1mk
       A-Pollarding
       B-Coppicing
    2. Name THREE products the farmer can get after carrying out the practice illustrated above. 1 ½ mks
       • Fodder
       • Wood fuel
       • Timber
       • Poles

24. The diagram below shows a weed. Study it then answer questions below it.
    1. Identify the weed. 1mk
       Nut grass
    2. Why is it difficult to control the above weed? 1mk
       Has underground nuts
    3. State TWO effect of weed named in (a) above in management and utilization of pasture. 2mks
       • Reduce the life span of pastures
       • Lower the quality of herbage and herbage yield of the pasture
       • Can damage the teeth of livestock
    4. Name one parasitic weed that affects cereals. 1mk
       Striga spp/Witch weed

25. The method below shows a method used in preparation of compost manure. Study it and answer the questions that follow.
    1. Name the illustrated method. 1mk
       Pit method or indore method
    2. Give TWO factors to consider when siting the area to establish the method.2mks
       • Direction of prevailing wind to keep off bad odours.
       • Size of the farm so that it can centrally positioned
       • Easily accessible
       • Drainage so that the nutrients are not leached due to water logging
    3. What do the arrows represent? 1mk
       Turning process

26.  
    1. Identify the condition illustrated below as observed in the field production of tomatoes. 1mk
       Blossom end rot
    2. State TWO conditions the predisposes a tomato plant to the condition stated above in (a) 1mk
       • Lack of calcium
       • Excess nitrogen
       • Irregular watering
    3. Suggest THREE ways of controlling bacterial wilt in tomatoes.1 ½ mk
       • Rogueing
       • Crop rotation
       • Use of certified seeds

SECTION C- 40 MARKS
Answer any TWO questions in this section.

27.  
    1. Explain THREE soil properties that are influenced by soil texture. 6mks
       • Soil water holding capacity. Soil rich in sand has low water holding capacity while rich in clay has high water holding capacity
       • Soil drainage- Clay soil poorly drained. Sandy soil has low drainage.
       • Soil aeration- Sandy soil has good aeration compared with clay soils.
    2. Discuss the importance of timely weed control. 5mks
       • Lowers the cost of production-
       • Prevent the spread of the weed in the farm
       • Reduce spread of pest and diseases
       • Increases production
       • Reduce competition of nutrients between crops and weeds
       • Prevent allelopathic effect of the weed,
    3. Explain water management in a flooded rice field 9mks
       • The field should be flooded 7-10 cm above the soil surface
       • Field should be left flooded for 4 days before primary ploughing.
       • Increase water gradually as plant growth proceeds.
       • Ensure that water is always one-third the height of the plant.
       • Prevent water loss through weeding
       • Repair of dykes
       • Ensure that the water flows slowly in the field
       • Change the fields’ water 2-3 weeks
       • Drain the field 2-3 weeks before the starting of harvesting

28.  
    1. Explain SIX roles of a farm manager in agricultural production. 6mks
       • Making short term plans that require quick decisions to avoid losses eg diseases control.
       • Making long term plans that involve making decision that relates to future o the farm
       • Gathering information related to farm enterprise eg prices and labour trends
       • Compare standards of the farm enterprise with the set standards
       • Detecting weaknesses and constraints in the farm and finding appropriate solution
       • Keep up to date records and accounts
       • Bearing responsibilities for the plans and decisions made in the farm
    2. Explain that factors that are considered when selecting a farm enterprise14mks
       • The period the enterprise takes to mature
       • Availability of the market for the enterprise
       • The current government policy relating to the enterprise
       • The common pest and diseases that may hinder the enterprise.
       • Technical required to manage the enterprise
       • Profit margin in relation to the price fluctuation at different time of the seasons.
       • Availability of enough capital
       • Availability of labour
       • Land tenure system
       • Social cultural factors .religious beliefs and customs.
       • Land topography or drainage
       • Farmers’ tastes and preference
         ½ mk mentioning, ½ mk explaining
29.  
    1. Discuss establishment and management of grass pasture crop stand upto grazing. 12mks
       • Clear the vegetation
       • Plough seedbed to eradicate all perennial weeds
       • Harrow the land to fine tilth
       • Prepare land early during the dry season
       • Roll and firm the seed bed
       • Select a suitable variety of grass
       • Plant at the onset of rains
       • Broad cast the phosphatic fertilizer
       • Broadcast the seeds evenly
       • Drag a gunny bag to cover the seeds
       • Control weeds by uprooting.
       • Top dress with nitrogenous fertilizer at appropriate rate
       • Control pests and diseases appropriately.
         12points
    2. Mention and discuss FOUR agencies involved in marketing agricultural produce. 8mks
       • Itinerant traders and middlemen- buy products from the farmer and resell.
       • Processors and manufacturing companies- Buy produce in bulk for processing
       • Whole salers- Buy produce in bulk and sell to the retailers in small quantities
       • Brokers and commission agents-They act on behalf of other business people for a fee or a commission
       • Co-operatives societies and unions- Buy their members produce process it and then sell them
       • Marketing boards- They buy produce from farmers and sell it locally and internationally
       • Retailers- They sell produce in small quantities to consumers.