Agriculture Paper 1 Questions and Answers - Wahundura Boys Mock Examination 2023

INSTRUCTIONS 

• This paper consists of THREE sections A, B and C
• Answer ALL questions in sections A and B and Any TWO questions in section C
• Answer to ALL questions MUST be written in the spaces provided.

SECTION A (30marks)

Answer ALL questions in this section in the spaces provided

1. Give four aspects of rainfall that affect agricultural production. (2mks)
2.  State four factors considered when choosing water pipes for use in the farm. (2mks)
3. List down four types of water erosion. (2mks)
4. Give three classes of weeds on the basis of growth cycle. (1½mks)
5. Define the term pest. (1mk)
6. State four reasons why burning of bushes is discouraged as a method of land clearing. (2mks)
7. Outline four factors considered when grading tomatoes. (2mks)
8. State four problems associated with marketing agricultural produce (2mks)
9. Give three maintenance practices carried out on water tanks. (1 ½ mks)
10. Give four characteristics of agroforestry trees (2mks) 
11. Define the following terms. (2 mks)
    1. Nursery bed 
    2. Seed bed
    3. Pricking out
    4. Hardening off
12. List four financial documents used in the farm (2mks)
13. List down four factors of production. (2mks)
14. Name the parts harvested for each of the following crops. (1 ½ mks) 
    1. Onions
    2. Carrots
    3. Coffee
15. Name four main methods of controlling pests in the farm. (2mks)
16. Mention three ways of applying water to crops (1 ½ mks)
17. Differentiate between pomoculture and olericulture (1mk)

SECTION B (20 MKS) Answer ALL questions in this section

18.  
    1. A farmer in Kabondo was advised to apply 80 kg of nitrogen to his maize plantation during top dressing. The fertilizer available was calcium ammonium nitrate (20% N) .Calculate the amount of this fertilizer in kilograms the farmer should purchase (2mks)
    2. At what stage should the farmer top dress his maize crop (1mk)
    3. State three methods of fertilizer application (3mks)
19. The diagram below illustration an investigation on property of soil using samples labeled J,K and L
    
    
    1. If the level of water drained into the test tubes were observed after two hours, name the property of soil being investigated (1mk)
    2. What is the relationship between this property of soil and the size of soil particles (1mk)
    3. Which soil sample will be suitable for growing paddy rice ? (1mk)
    4. Name the type of soil labeled (2mks)
       J. …………………
       L. …………………
20. Study the illustration below of making compost manure and answer the questions that follow.
    
    
    1. Name the method of making compost manure illustrated above. (1mk)
    2. Name the other method of making compost manure. (1mk)
    3. State three qualities of well decomposed compost manure. (3mks)
21. The following diagrams illustrate two methods of soil sampling.Study them and answer questions that follow .
    
    
    1. What do diagrams A and B represent? (2 marks)
       A……………………
       B……………………
    2. Describe the procedure of soil sampling. (3 marks)

SECTION C (40mks) Answer only two questions in this section

22.  
    1. Describe seven cultural or biological methods of soil and water conservation. (7 marks)
    2.  Describe the importances of keeping farm records . (7 marks)
    3. Explain six objectives of the million acre scheme of land settlements. (6 marks)
23.  
    1. Describe the growing of dry bean seeds under the following sub headings.
       1. Selection and preparation of planting materials. (3marks)
       2. Planting. (4marks)
       3. Weeding. (3marks)
       4. Describe the environmental conditions that may lead to low crop yields (10 marks)
24.  
    1. Explain seven factors that influence seed rate in crop production. (7mks)
    2. Outline seven safety precautions observed when using herbicide in the farm. (7mks)
    3. Explain briefly any six factors that affect the quality of hay a farmer may produce in the farm. (6mks)

MARKING SCHEME

1. four aspects of rainfall that affect agricultural production. (2mks)
   • Rainfall amount
   • Rainfall distribution/ pattern
   • Rainfall intensity
   • Rainfall reliability (4x ½ =2)
2. four factors considered when choosing water pipes for use in the farm. (2mks)
   • Durability.
   • Strength/ability to withstand pressure/thickness of the wall of the pipe.
   • Diameter/size of the pipe.Workability/skill available.
   • Colour of the pipe.
   • Cost (4x ½ =2)
3. four types of water erosion. (2mks)
   • Splash erosion/rain drop erosion
   • Sheet erosion
   • Rill erosion
   • Gulley erosion (4x ½ =2)
4. three classes of weeds on the basis of growth cycle. (1½mks)
   • Annual weeds
   • Biennial weeds
   •  Perennial weeds (3x ½ =1 ½ )
5.  the term pest. (1mk)
   • A pest is any living organism that destroys crops directly by causing physical damage or indirectly by introducing pathogens into the plant. (1x1=1)
6. four reasons why burning of bushes is discouraged as a method of land clearing. (2mks)
   • It destroys soil structure.
   • It kills useful soil organisms.
   •  It destroys organic matter.
   • Fire can spread to unintended areas.
   • It can lead to volatilization of nutrients i.e. changing of nutrients into gaseous form and escaping to the atmosphere.
   • It can lead to soil erosion.
   •  It can lead to loss of soil moisture. (4x ½ =2)
7. four factors considered when grading tomatoes. (2mks)
   • Size
   • quality
   • degree of ripening
   • Cleanliness
   • Pest and disease damage (4x ½ =2)
8. problems associated with marketing agricultural produce (2mks)
   • Bulkiness
   • High perishability
   • Inadequate storage facilities
   • Poor infrastructure
   • Seasonality
   • Inadequate market information (2x1=2mks)
9. Give three maintenance practices carried out on water tanks. (1 ½ mks)
   • Removing silt settled down
   • Fencing around
   • Removing trash on the gutters and on the sieve on the lid
   • Regular checks on leaks or cracks and repair them (3x ½ =1 ½ )
10. State four characteristics of agroforestry trees. (2marks)
    • Fast growing
    • Good in by product production
    • Nitrogen fixing/ leguminous
    • Hardy
    • Deep rooted (2x1=2mks)
11. Definitions (2 mks)
    1. Nursery bed
       • This is any piece of land of any size prepared to raise seedlings until they are ready for transplanting. ½
    2. Seed bed
       • This is a piece of land (large or small) which has prepared to receive the planting materials that are allowed to grow until harvesting ½
    3. Pricking out
       • Removal of overcrowded seedlings from the nursery bed to the seedling bed to avoid competition. ½
    4. Hardening off
       • This is a practice of preparing seedlings to adapt to the ecological conditions prevailing in the seed bed. ½
12. Financial documents 
    • Invoice
    • Purchase order
    • Delivery note
    • Receipt
    • Statement (2x 1=2)
13. Four factors of production. (2mks)
    • Land
    • Labour
    • Capital
    • Management (4x ½ =2)
14. Parts harvested for each of the following crops. (1 ½ mks)
    • Onions – leaves/ bulbs ½
    • Carrots - Roots ½
    • Coffee – Berries/cherries ½
15. Name four main methods of controlling pests in the farm. (2mks)
    • cultural methods
    • seed quarantine/ legislation
    • mechanical/physical methods
    • biological method
    • chemical method (4x ½ =2)
16. Three ways of applying water to crops (1 ½ mks)
    • Overhead/ sprinkler irrigation
    • Drip/ trickle irrigation
    • Surface irrigation
    • Sub- surface irrigation (3x ½ =1 ½ )
17. Differentiate between pomoculture and olericulture (1mk)
    • Pomoculture is the growing of fruits while olericulture is growing of vegetables (1x1=1)

SECTION B (20 MKS) Answer ALL questions in this section

18.  
    1. A farmer in Kabondo was advised to apply 80 kg of nitrogen to his maize plantation during top dressing. The fertilizer available was calcium ammonium nitrate (20% N) .Calculate the amount of this fertilizer in kilograms the farmer should purchase (2mks)
       20kg N---- 100kg
       80kg N-----? ½
       ½ 80kgN x 100kg =800 kg ½
       20kgN 20
       • 40kg ½
    2. At what stage should the farmer top dress his maize crop (1mk)
       • When they are knee-high /45cm high (1x1=1)
    3. Three methods of applying fertilizer (3mks)
       • Broadcasting
       • Foliar spraying
       • Side dressing
       • Placement method
       • Drip method
       • Injection (3x1=3)
19. The diagram below illustration an investigation on property of soil using samples labeled J,K and L
    1. If the level of water drained into the test tubes were observed after two hours, name the property of soil being investigated (1mk)
       • Soil Water holding capacity/ Drainage/ Porosity (1x1=1)
    2. What is the relationship between this property of soil and the size of soil particles (1mk)
       • The larger the soil particles, the higher the water holding capacity and vice versa (1x1=1)
    3. Which soil sample will be suitable for growing paddy rice ? (1mk)
       L     (1x1=1)
    4. Name the type of soil labeled (2mks)
       J. Sandy soil
       L. Loam soil (2x1=2)
20. Study the illustration below of making compost manure and answer the questions that follow.
    1. Name the method of making compost manure illustrated above. (1mk)
       • Indore method /Pit method (1x1=1)
    2. Name the other method of making compost manure. (1mk)
       • Four heap/ stack method. (1x1=1)
    3. State three qualities of well decomposed compost manure. (3mks)
       • Volume of the heap goes down.
       • There is no bad smell.
       • There is growth of fungi.
       • Manure is dark in color.
       • Temperature goes down.
       • It is moist but not wet. (3x1=3)
21. The following diagrams illustrate two methods of soil sampling .Study them and answer questions that follow
    1. What do diagrams A and B represent? (2 marks)
       A Traverse method
       B Zigzag method (2x1=2)
    2. Describe the procedure of soil sampling. (3 marks)
       • Vegetation from the sampling spot is cleared and a vertical cut is made to a depth of 15-25cm for cropland and 5cm for pasture land.
       • A slice is taken from the vertical cut using a soil auger or a spade.
       • Soil is put in a clean container.
       • The steps above are repeated in different spots 15-20 spots. Soil from all the spots is thoroughly mixed dried and crushed.
       • A sub-sample (composite) from the mixture is taken for analysis. (3x1=3)

SECTION C (40mks) Answer only two questions in this section

22.  
    1. Describe Seven cultural or biological methods of soil and water conservation. (7 marks)
       • Grass cover/strips/filter strips- They are uncultivated areas with grass left across the slope/ along the contour
       • Cover cropping- This is the practice of growing crops that provide good cover to the soil surface.
       •  Contour farming- This is where all farming practices e.g. weeding, planting e.t.c. are done along the contours.
       • Strip cropping. -This is the practice where crops with poor soil cover are grown in alternate strips with crops with good ground cover along the contour.
       • Mulching.- It refers to covering of the soil surface with either organic mulches (e.g. dry grass) or inorganic mulches (e.g. polythene sheets).
       • Planting of trees / Agroforestry- It involves: i. Afforestation- planting of trees in an area where they never existed. ii. Reafforestation- planting trees where the previous ones have already been harvested.
       • Grassed or vegetated water ways.  Grass/vegetation is planted or allowed to grow in water ways.
       • Crop rotation- it maintains soil cover for protection against erosion.
       • Rotational grazing- allows grass to recover providing a ground cover preventing the soil from soil erosion agents.
       •  Intercropping- providing a ground cover protecting the soil from soil erosion agents.
       • Use of manure/fertilizer promotes vegetative growth which covers the soil against evaporation and erosion.
       • Correct spacing- ensures adequate ground cover hence protecting it against soil erosion agents. (7 x 1=7)
    2. Describe the importance’s of keeping farm records . (7 marks)
       • They show the history of the farm.
       • They help to determine the value of the farm or to determine assets and liabilities of the farm.
       • They are used in income tax assessment to avoid over taxation or under taxation.
       •  They guide the farmer in planning and budgeting of farm operations.
       • They show whether the farm business is making loss or profit. This information may help in getting/ obtaining loan or agricultural credit.
       • They make it easy to share profits and losses in partnerships.
       •  They help to settle disputes among heirs/inheritors when a farmer dies without leaving a will
       • They help to detect losses or theft in the farm
       •  They help to support insurance claims on death, theft and fire of farm assets.
       • They provide labor information like terminal benefits e.g. NSSF dues.
       • They are used to compare the performance of different enterprises within the farm or other farms
    3.  Explain six objectives of the million acre scheme of land settlements. (6 marks)
       • To transfer land from white settlers/ Europeans to Africans to enable the Africans own land.
       •  To settle the landless by transferring the landless/ squatters to new land allocation.
       • To reduce population pressure in the African reserves/ land by transferring people from overpopulated areas to sparsely populated areas.
       • To create employment by working on the farm given to produce crops and keep livestock.
       • To make use of the underutilized/ idle land thus increasing production.
       • To increase agricultural production through better methods of land utilization.
       • To maintain production levels achieved by former white settlers and also earn foreign exchange from the sale of cash crops. (6x1=6)
23.  
    1. Describe the growing of dry bean seeds under the following sub headings.
       1. Selection and preparation of planting materials. (3marks)
          • Select varieties suitable to the ecological conditions of the area.
          • Obtain certified seeds.
          • Select dry mature seeds.
          • Select seeds that are free from physical damage and wrinkles.
          • Dress seeds with appropriate chemicals to control soil borne pests and diseases.
          • Inoculate the seeds with the correct inoculant. (3x1=3)
       2. Planting. (4marks)
          • Plant at the onset of rains/carry out timely planting/ plant when soil has enough moisture.
          • Make shallow furrows/ holes at appropriate spacing and depth using appropriate tool.
          • Apply phosphatic fertilizers along the furrows at appropriate rate and mix with soil.
          • Drop seeds singly along the furrows and cover with soil.
          • Place 2 or 3 seeds per hole and cover up using soil. (4x1=4)
       3. Weeding. (3marks)
          • done using simple hand tools or selective herbicides to reduce competition for moisture, nutrients and space
          • Carry out shallow weeding to avoid root damage.
          • Avoid weeding during flowering to prevent knocking down the flowers.
          • Carry out weeding when it dry to avoid spread of diseases. (3x1=3)
    2. Describe the environmental conditions that may lead to low crop yields (10 marks)
       • Poor soil fertility due to lack of manure and fertilizer application.
       • Less rainfall/ unreliable rainfall leading to lack of water in crops.
       • Too much rainfall leading to water logging/ poor drainage/ poor aeration.
       • Poor soil type leading to water logging/ excess leaching.
       •  Inappropriate topography which may limit crop growth.
       • Inappropriate pH/ poor soil pH which affects crop growth, causes fixation of nutrients (change into non-absorbable form).
       • Pest attack which lowers the photosynthetic area, destroys crop or creates wounds for secondary infection.
       • Poor weed control leading to competition for resources and space.
       • Too high/ too low/ inappropriate temperature which lowers the quality of crops and increase incidences of diseases.
       • Excess wind which increases the rate of evapotranspiration and lodging of crops.
       • Inappropriate humidity which increases the incidences of diseases and pests.
       •  Extreme light intensity which may lower the rate of photosynthesis.
       • Hailstorms which destroy crops. (10x1=10)
24.  
    1. Explain seven factors that influence seed rate in crop production. (6mks)
       • Seed purity- when planting pure seeds, less seed rate is required.
       • Germination percentage- less seed rate is required when germination percentage is higher.
       • Method of planting- broadcasting method require higher seed rate than row planting
       • Spacing- Closer spacing requires higher seed rate than wider spacing.
       • Number of seeds per hole- Two or more seeds per hole require a higher seed rate than one seed per hole.
       • Purpose/intended use of the cropCrops used as fodder are closely spaced hence require higher seed rate. (Stating ½ ,explaining ½ )
    2. Outline seven safety precautions observed when using herbicide in the farm. (8mks)
       • Read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them.
       • The user should wear protective clothing e.g. overall, breathing mask, gloves and boots.
       • Avoid inhaling the herbicide (by not spraying against wind, not smoking while spraying and wearing a breathing mask).
       • The user must not blow or suck blocked nozzles.
       • The user must bath thoroughly after handling chemicals and not to eat before bathing.
       • The user should avoid herbicide drift to unintended crops by avoiding spraying on windy days. 7. Avoid drift of chemicals to animal feeds and water.
       • The user should avoid spilling herbicides in places which are unintended and where they may cause danger to animals e.g. pastures and fodder crops.
       • Any left-overs and empty containers must be disposed off properly by burying them.
       • Avoid throwing the empty containers in gardens, bushes or in pastures.
       • Spraying equipment must not be washed in water sources which are used by animals and humans.
       • All chemicals must be stored in safe places out of reach of children and away from food.
         (7x1=7)
    3. Explain briefly any six factors that affect the quality of hay a farmer may produce in the farm. (6mks)
       • Forage species used- plant species with high nutrient make high quality hay.
       • Stage of growth at harvesting time/defoliation- cut when 50% of crop has flowered to ensure high quality hay.
       • Length of drying period-rapid drying ensures high quality hay.
       • Weather conditions during the drying period- dry hay when weather is sunny and dry to maintain the quality.
       • Duration of storage- long storage lowers the quality of hay.
       • Pest and disease attack on the crop- avoid using pest and disease infested plants to ensure high quality hay.
       • Method of storage- store in dry shed to avoid decomposition by rain water. (6x1=6)