INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
- Answer all the questions in section A and B
- Answer any two questions in section C
QUESTIONS
SECTION A: (30 marks)
Answer all questions in this section in the spaces provided
- List two disadvantages of small scale farming (1 mark)
- Name two ways by which predators affect agricultural production (1 mark)
- Name the role of each of the following chemicals in water treatment
- Alum (½ mark)
- Soda ash (½ mark)
- State two ways in which crop rotation controls weeds (1 mark)
- State four characteristics of a good vegetable seedling (2 marks)
- Name two forms of horticulture practised in Kenya (1 mark)
- State two mechanical methods of separating soil particles, according to size, during soil analysis (1 mark)
- State four reasons why a nursery is important in crop production (2 marks)
- Name the part used for vegetative propagation of each of the following plants (2 marks)
- Cassava
- Sisal
- Pyrethrum
- Sweet potatoes
- State four reasons for applying phosphatic fertilizers during planting (2 marks)
- Give two reasons for testing soil (2 marks)
- State four management practices undertaken to improve natural pastures (2 marks)
- State four qualities of certified seeds (2 marks)
- Name four classes of weeds (2 marks)
- State three causes of land fragmentation in Kenya today (1½ marks)
- State any three organic farming practices (1½ marks)
- What is meant by the term production function? (1 mark)
- What is meant by the term integrated pest management? (1 mark)
- Give three examples of fixed costs in maize production (11/2 marks)
- State three factors that determine the choice of water pipes used on the farm (11/2 marks)
SECTION B (20 MARKS)
Answer all questions in this section in the spaces provided
- The diagram below shows a section of plant from which the planting material illustrated was obtained
- Identify the planting material illustrated (1 mark)
- Give two reasons why only the middle part of the plant was used to prepare the planting material (1 mark)
- Apart from using the middle part of the plant, explain three precautions that should be observed when preparing the illustrated planting material (3 marks)
- The diagram below illustrates seed potato which has been prepared for planting Study it carefully and answers the questions that follow
- Name the practice that has been used to prepare the seed potato above for planting (1 mark)
- Describe the procedure followed in preparing seed potatoes for planting (4 marks)
- The diagram below illustrates a newly constructed cut-off drain Study it carefully and answer the questions that follow
- Identify the parts of cut off drains labeled A and B (2 marks)
A
B - How can the part of the structure labeled B be stabilized after it has been constructed? (2 marks)
- State any one factor that would determine the width and depth of the cut-off drain (1 mark)
- Identify the parts of cut off drains labeled A and B (2 marks)
- The diagrams below show a set up of an experiment to study an aspect of soil The set up was left undisturbed for five hours Study it and answer the questions that follow
- What was the aim of the experiment? (1 mark)
- State one observation that was made in each of the flasks labelled C and D (2 marks)
C
D - Give a reason for each of your answers in (b) above (2 marks)
C
D
SECTION C (40MARKS)
Answer any two questions from this section in the spaces provided after question 27
-
- Explain seven factors that should be considered when selecting seeds for planting (7 marks)
- State four benefits of adequate and reliable rainfall in vegetable crop production (4 marks)
- Explain four factors that determine the nutrient content of hay (4 marks)
- State five reasons for keeping farm records (5 marks)
-
- State the importance of any five nursery management practices (5 marks)
- Explain seven cultural methods of soil and water conservation (7 marks)
- Describe the role of magnesium in crop production (4 marks)
- Describe four practices that a farmer should carry out to ensure uniform germination of seeds (4 marks)
-
- Explain five factors that determine the spacing of crops (5 marks)
- Explain five factors that may encourage soil erosion (5 marks)
- Describe five management practices that should be carried out on a vegetable nursery after sowing seeds until the seedlings are ready for transplanting (5 marks)
- State five soil factors that should be considered when selecting a crop to grow in an area (5 marks)
MARKING SCHEME
- Two disadvantages of small scale farming (1mk)
- The yields of produce are low
- It offers less employment opportunities compared to large scale farming
- It does not enjoy economies of large scale
- Two ways by which predators affect agricultural production
- Some predators help to control predators by feeding on them
- Predators that kill livestock impact negatively on them
-
- Alum – to coagulate solid particles
- Soda ash –softening of water
- Ways in which crop rotation control weeds ( 1mk)
- Crops associated with specific weeds are alternated with crops of different families to remove the appropriate host and break the life cycle of weeds
- Alternating with cover crops smoothers the weeds
- Four characteristics of a good vegetable seedling 2mks)
- Free from disease/pest/healthy
- Vigorously growing
- Free from physical deformities
- High yielding
- Correct stage of growth/height/10-15cm tall/4-6 true leaves
- two forms of horticulture practised in Kenya (1mk)
- Floriculture
- Pomoculture /pomology
- Olericulture
- Two mechanical methods of separating soil particles according to size during soil analysis( 1mks)
- Using sieve/sieve analysis
- Sedimentation method
- four reasons why nursery is important in crop production(2mks)
- Many seedlings can be produced in a small space
- Facilitates timely routine management practices
- Best conditions for growth of seedlings
- Small seeds and delicate seedlings grow into healthy and vigorous seedlings
- Reduced growth period in the field
- Excess seedlings can be sold for income
- Facilitates selection of healthy and vigorously growing seedling for transplanting
- Plant part used for vegetative propagation (2mks)
- Cassava –stem cuttings/stems
- Sisal- bulbils/suckers
- Pyrethrum –splits
- Sweet potatoes – vines /stem cuttings
- four reasons for applying phosphatic fertilizer during planting (2mks)
- Less soluble
- Promote root development
- Lacks/has slight scorching effect
- Long residual effect
- Not easily leached
- two reasons of soil testing ( 1 mk)
- Determine soil type/type of fertilizer/type of plant to grow
- Determine nutrient content/amount of fertilizer to apply
- four management practices undertaken to improve the natural pastures (2mks)
- Weed control
- Topping
- Fertilizer application/irrigation/pest control
- four qualities of certified seeds (2 mks)
- High germination percentage
- Suitable to the ecological conditions
- Free from physical damage
- True to type/free from off types
- Clean
- four classes of weeds (2mks)
- Broad leaved weeds
- Narrow weeds
- Perennial weeds
- Annual weeds
- Biennial weeds
- Monocotyledonous weeds
- Dicotyledonous causes of land weeds
- three causes of land fragmentation in Kenya (1.5 mks)
- Inheritance
- Purchase of land
- Compensation by the government
- three organic farming practices (1.5 mks)
- Mulching
- Use of organic manure
- Cover cropping
- Crop rotation
- Uprooting/slashing of weeds
- Restricting cultivation to crop roots
- Meaning of production function ( 1 mk)
- It is the physical relationship between resource input and corresponding output/product
- meaning of integrated pest management . ( 1 mk)
- This is a combination of physical, chemical, biological and cultural pest control methods
- four examples of fixed costs in maize production (2mks)
- Salaries of permanent workers
- Insurance
- Rent
- Standing charges of telephone
- Depreciation cost of farm machinery
- Cost of buying machinery
- four factors that determine the choice of water pipes in the farm(2mks)
- Strength of the pipes
- Amount of water to be conveyed
- Cost of the pipes
- Diameter/size of the pipes
- Durability
- Colour of the pipes
-
- tea cutting/cutting ( 1mk)
- two reasons why the middle part of plant was used ( 1 mk)
- Top part tends to rot when planted.
- Botton takes long to root
- two other precautions that are observed when preparing the illustrated planting material ( 3mks)
- Place it in water until it is planted to avoid dehydration
- Each cutting should have a leaf and a bud
- Use sharp knife or blade to prevent breaking of the cutting
- Make slanting cuts to prevent accumulation of moisture
-
- chitting
- describe the procedure for preparation of seed potatoes for planting ( 4 mks)
- Arrange the setts /tubers in a store or chitting box with rose end facing upwards
- Tubers are arranged 2-3 layers deep
- Allow diffused light through the store
- Dust/spray the setts with insecticide/fungicides to control pests or fungal infection
- Sprinkle some water on tubers if conditions are dry
-
-
- A trench/channel ( 0.5 mk)
B ridge/embarkment ( 0.5 mk) - Procedure of constructing a cut off drain (2 mks)
- Measure and mark the layout of the drain
- Dig and remove soil from the channel and heap it on the lower side of the drain
- A trench/channel ( 0.5 mk)
- to demonstrate the presence of living organisms in the soil
- C-lime water turns milky/white ppt formed
D- no observable change/lime water remains clear
-
-
- Seven factors that should be considered when selecting seeds for planting (7mks)
- Adaptability should be adaptable to local conditions
- Physical deformities –should be free from physical damages and pest/diseases
- Viability/germination percentage – should have high germination percentage/viability
- Should be from high yielding /healthy planting material
- Purity-should b clean/free from impurities
- Maturity – should be of correct maturity stage
- Age/storage period seeds stored for a long time have low germination percentage hence should not be selected.
- Size of the seeds – should be of the correct size.
- four benefits of adequate supply of water in vegetable crop production. (4mks)
- Controls pest in crop production
- Maximises the use of available nutrients
- Increases yields and ensure a steady supply of food throughout the year
- Ensures a steady and reliable source of income and employment
- four factors that determine the nutrient content hay. (4mks)
- Stage of growth at harvesting time i.e., should be cut when 50 percent has flowered.
- Species of the forage crop used
- Duration of storage
- Length of drying period
- Method of storage
- five r reasons of keeping farm records ( 5mks)
- Planning and decision making
- Income tax assessment
- Provides information useful during credit acquisition
- Indicates the net worth of the farm
- Compare the performance of enterprises between seasons or between one farm and the other
- Solve disputes among heirs
- Tell the history of the farm
- Help in insurance claims
- Assist to detect losses in the farm
- Calculations of profits and losses
- Calculations of labour information e.g., Terminal benefits/NHIF/NSSF
- Seven factors that should be considered when selecting seeds for planting (7mks)
-
- Five nursery management practices (5 mks)
- Watering provides moisture amounts needed by the seedlings
- Weed control
- Shading
- Mulching
- pest and disease control
- pricking out
- hardening
- security
- explain five cultural methods of soil and water conservation (7 mks)
- grass/filter strips
- contour cropping
- mulching
- rotational grazing
- intercropping
- grassed/vegetated waterways
- afforestation/reafforestation
- agroforestry
- use of organic manure
- correct spacing
- the role of magnesium in crop production (4mks)
- Five nursery management practices (5 mks)
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