AGRICULTURE
PAPER 1
SECTION A
Answer all questions (30marks)
- Define organic farming (1mk)
- State Four reasons why agriculture is regarded as a science. (2mks)
- Give four effects of HIV/Aids on agricultural production and development. (2mks)
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- State two farming practices that help in reducing the effects of water shortage in crop production (2mks)
- Give four advantages of rotational grazing in cattle farming. (2mks)
- State two disadvantages of small scale farming. (1mk)
- State four ways of treating water for use in the farm. (2mks)
- State four benefits of using organic materials for mulching. (2mks)
- State four disadvantages of non-capped multiple stem pruning in coffee. (2mks)
- State four factors considered in selecting the site for making compost manure. (2mks)
- Give two reasons for flooding in the growing of paddy rice. (1mk)
- Give two appropriate situations under which foliar spraying is most suitable. (1mk)
- State four factors contributing to the competitive ability of weeds (2mks)
- Give four conditions of land which may make it necessary to carry out reclamation practices (2mks)
- Name two physical weathering agents in the soil formation process (1mk)
- State two Mechanical methods of separating soil particles according to size during soil analysis (1mk)
- State four functions of Boron in crop development (2mks)
- State four factors that should be considered when classifying crop pests (2 mks)
SECTION B 20 MARKS
Answer all questions in this section
- The diagram below shows a weed study it carefully.
- Identify the weed. (1mk)
- State two economic importance of the weed. (2mks)
- Why is it difficult to control the weed? (1mk)
- The diagrams below labeled A and B illustrate field pests. Study the diagrams carefully and answer the questions that follow.
- Identify the field pests illustrated in the diagrams A and B. (2mks)
- Classify the pests A and B (2mks)
- State ONE control measure of pest B (1mk)
- Below is a diagram of a nursery for raising the seedlings.
- State two advantages of having the part labeled J (2mks)
- State any three management practices that should be carried out on the nursery from the time seedlings emerge to the stage of transplanting (3mks)
- .The diagram F, below illustrates a method of training in crops.
- Identify the method shown in F above. (1mk)
- Name two other methods used in training in crop production. (2mks)
- State two advantages of training in crop production. (2mks)
- List two crops that require training. (1mk)
SECTION C 40 MARKS
Answer any two question
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- Define the term land tenure (2mks
- Give three benefits of a Title deed to a farmer. (3mks)
- State five effects of land fragmentation in crop farming. (5mks)
- Describe the production of onions under the following sub-headings:
- Seedbed preparation. (3mks)
- Field management practices. (5mks)
- Harvesting. (2mks)
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- Describe seven harmful effects of crop pests. (7mks)
- Describe eight safety measures a farmer should observe when using herbicides to control weeds. (8mks)
- Describe the harvesting of cotton. (5mks)
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- Describe the importance of vegetable crop. (6mks)
- Explain the cultural methods of pest control. (7mks)
- Discuss the management practices in the production of maize grains from planting to harvesting. (7mks)
MARKING SCHEME
- Define organic farming
- It is a method of farming in which crop growing and livestock rearing is done without using agricultural chemicals. 1mk
- It is a method of farming in which crop growing and livestock rearing is done without using agricultural chemicals. 1mk
- Agriculture as science
- Scientific study of crop diseases (pathology)
- Scientific study of insects and their control
- Agricultural engineering (soil water conservation and machines)
- Scientific study of soils
- Genetics of plant and animal breeding 2mks
- Effect of HIV/AIDS on agriculture
- The infected die hence shortage of farm labour
- Cost of living is raised-A lot of money spent on drugs at the expense of farm inputs
- Loss of hope, lack of motivation leads to low agricultural developments
- The infected lack strength to work adequately on the farm
- A lot of time is spent caring for the sick at the expense of farm work
- A lot of funds are directed to seminise/ control the pandemic by the government instead of using the resources in agricultural department 2mks
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- Farming practice reduce effect of water shortage
- Mulching
- Early planting
- Planting early maturing crops
- Practicing land fallowing
- Contour cropping/ contour farming 2mks
- Advantages of rotational grazing
- Maximum use of pasture
- Excess pasture can be conserved
- Even/Uniform distribution of animal wastes in all fields or paddocks
- Possible to apply fertilizers to parts of pastures not in use
- Reduces build-up of pests and diseases
- Pasture area is given time to regrow. 2mks
- Farming practice reduce effect of water shortage
- Disadvantages of small scale farming
- High operational costs.
- Provision of technical advice by extension workers is not easy because of the large number of farmers.
- Lack of organised market for the produce (of the small quantities of the different types of produce). (1mk)
- Ways of treating water 2mks
- Chemical treatment.
- Filtration
- Boiling
- Aeration
- Sedimentation
- Storage in open tanks for 36 hours
- State four benefits of using organic materials for mulching. (2mks)
- It conserves soil moisture by discouraging evaporation.
- It suppresses/ smothers weeds.
- It controls soil erosion.
- Improves soil structure upon decomposition.
- It adds nutrients to the soil on decomposition.
- Improves water infiltration rate.
- increases water holding capacity of the soil upon decomposition.
- .State four disadvantages of non-capped multiple stem pruning in coffee. (2mks)
- There is higher rate of breaking of stems and branches.
- There is difficulty in picking the berries from the top points.
- The crop grows much taller hence spraying is difficult.
- Pruned stumps tend to rot as the plant grows older
- State four factors considered in selecting the site for making compost manure. (2mks)
- A well drained place to avoid water logging which leaches nutrients from the manure.
- Direction of the prevailing wind to prevent bad odor from being blown to the homestead.
- Size of the farm ie should be centrally placed.
- Accessibility for easy transportation of the materials needed.
- Give two reasons for flooding in the growing of paddy rice. (1mk)
- Controls weeds
- Controls soil borne pests.
- Provides good conditions for the growing of rice.
- Give two appropriate situations under which foliar spraying is most suitable. (1mk)
- During prolonged dry season.
- When top dressing closely spaced crops eg wheat.
- Factors contributing to the competitive ability of weeds
- Ability to produce large quantities of seeds
- Weed seeds remain viable in the soil for long
- Easy and successful dispersal mechanism of most weed seeds
- Ability to survive even under adverse environmental condition
- Complete their life cycle in a short time
- Elaborate or extensive root system (4 x ½ = 2 marks)
- State four conditions of land which may make it necessary to carry out reclamation
- Swampy/water logged areas
- Stormy grounds
- Aridity/dryness
- Eroded/bare land
- Tse tse infested areas
- Bushy land. (4 x ½ = 2 marks)
- Physical weathering agents
- Wind
- Glaciations/ moving ice
- Temperature
- Running water(reject water alone) 2 x½ = 1 mark
- Mechanical methods of separating soil particles
- Mixing soil with water, shaking and allowing particles to settle/sedimentation
- Use of a series of sieves with different mesh sizes/sieve method 2x ½ = 1 mark
- functions of boron in crop
- Assist the development of meristematic tissues
- Facilitates fruit setting
- Helps in translocation of sugars. Nitrogen and phosphorus
- Facilitate nodule formation in legume
- Facilitate the absorption of water
- Facilitate the formation of pollen tube. 4 x ½ = 2 marks
- factors to consider when classifying crop pests
- Where pest is found/field/storage
- Feeding habits/type of damage
- Scientific/biological classification
- Crop attacked
- stage of growth of the crop attacked
- Stage of development of the pest at which it causes damage
- Part of the crop attacked 4 x ½ = 2 marks
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- indentify weed
- Couch grass / Digitaria scalarum 1x1 =1mk
- Couch grass / Digitaria scalarum 1x1 =1mk
- Economic importance
- Greatly reduces the yield of the crop.
- Acts as fodder for livestock.
- Increase production costs.
- Reduce the quality of the crop
- 2x 1 =2mk
- difficult to control weed.
- Has underground rhizomes/ stems which are difficult to control. 1x1 =1mk
- Has underground rhizomes/ stems which are difficult to control. 1x1 =1mk
- indentify weed
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- A- Cutworm
- B-Rat/Mouse ( 2 x 1 = 2mks)
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- A Insect with biting and chewing mouthpart
- B Rodent ( 2 x 1 = 2mks)
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- Trapping
- Biological -use of predators (cats)
- Use of pesticides ( Rodenticide)
- Destruction of crop residues ( 1 x 1 = 1mks)
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- Advantages of having the part labeled J:
- To reduce the amount of water loss through evapotranspiration
- To modify the temperature
- To reduce the impact of raindrops thereby minimize the damage of seedlings/ reduce splash
- Retaining water 2x1=2 mks
- Management practices carried out on the nursery from the seeding emerge to stage of transplanting 3mks
- Proper watering
- Controlling weeds
- Controlling pests and diseases
- Hardening off
- Pricking out
- Advantages of having the part labeled J:
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- Trelishing method ( 1 mk)
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- Staking
- Propping ( 2mk)
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- Production of clean fruits
- Facilitates spraying and harvesting of the crops
- Controls incidences of disease out break
- Prevents infestation by soil – borne pests ( 2mk)
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- Passion fruits
- Tomatoes
- Garden peas 1mk
- Trelishing method ( 1 mk)
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- Is the rule and conditions governing the ownership of land in specific area or method by which an individual /group of people acquire the right to use land in any place
OR Is the possession of right to the use of land 2mk -
- Used to secure credit facilities necessary for land development
- Any disputes are minimised because of security of tenure
- Tenure security encourages farmers to invest in long-term and permanent projects on their land and also care for the soil.
- enables the occupant to lease all the land or part of it and thus get extra income (3mks)
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- Time wasted while traveling from one holding to the next
- Difficult to properly and effectively control weeds and pests
- Difficulty in following a sound farm plan arising from the distance between fragments and the farmer’s home
- Difficult in the supervision of scattered plots
- Difficulty in carrying out various soil conservation measures
- Difficulty in offering agriculture extension advice
- poor agricultural productivity hence on standard of living (5mks)
- Is the rule and conditions governing the ownership of land in specific area or method by which an individual /group of people acquire the right to use land in any place
- Production of onions.
- Seed bed preparation.
- Land is cleared.
- Land preparation is done early.
- Ploughing/deep digging is done and all weeds eradicated.
- Harrowing is done to moderate/fine /appropriate tilth. (3x1=3mks)
- Field management practices.
- Thinning in directly planted crops to reduce competition.
- Weeding should be done carefully so as not to damage shallow roots.
- Excess soil is removed from the region around the bulb/do not compact soil around the bulb.
- Top dressing with a NitrogenFertilizer/ CAN at the rate of 250 kg per hectare three months after planting.
- Spraying with appropriate pesticide/chemicals to control pests.
- Spraying with herbicides to control fungal diseases.
- Watering during the dry spell.
(5x1=5mks)
- Harvesting.
- Done after 4-5 months.
- Done when leaves start drying.
- Twist/break/bend the tops at the neck to hasten withering.
- Bulbs are dug out/lifted.
- Turn daily to ensure uniform drying. (2x1=2mks)
- Seed bed preparation.
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- Harmful effects of pests.
- Pests such as squirrels and mice unearth and eat planted seeds resulting in low plant population.
- Some pests such as moles,nematodes and termites damage crop roots causing wilting and death to the plants.
- Some pests destroy leaves lowering photosynthetic area of resulting in reduced yields.
- Sucking pests deprive the plant its food by sucking plant sap resulting in retarded growth.
- Some pests attack fruits, berries,flowers,which lower their quality and quantity.
- Some pests destroy the embryo of seed which lower germination potential.
- Some pests transmit crop diseases while others open up the plant for secondary infection.
- Some pests eat the growing points causing retarded growth e.g stalk borer.
- Some pests lower the quality of products by damaging the parts that are useful e. g leaves in kales.
- Reduce marketability of crop produce by lowering quality. (7x1=7mks)
- Safety precautions when using herbicides.
- One should wear protective clothing such as masks, gloves, overalls and boots.
- Avoid inhaling herbicides by not smoking while spraying .Spray along the wind direction.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions strictly.
- Avoid sucking or blowing blocked nozzles.
- User must wash thoroughly to remove chemical traces immediately after handling chemicals.
- Herbicides should be store in a safe place away from food and out of reach of children.
- Equipment used in herbicide application should not be washed in water sources used by human beings animals/prevent pollution.
- Empty containers and left-overs should be properly disposed of in such away that they will not pose danger to people, animals or the environment.
- Chemical spillage in places that are unintended should be avoided/where it may cause danger to human beings and animals.
- Equipment used should should be used thoroughly to avoid damage to crops/animals in subsequent operations
- User should avoid eating or handling food before washing. (8x1=8mks).
- Harvesting of cotton
- Start harvesting 4-5 months after planting/when first bolls open
- Pick the lint
- Harvest during the dry period
- Harvest on weekly basis and continue for 8 weeks
- Put the picked lint into clean and well aerated baskets
- Sort out the lint into grade I, AR (Safi) and grade II,BR (fifi)
- Put the two grades into separate bags
- Alternatively, carry the two containers for the different grades
5 x 1= 5mks
- Harmful effects of pests.
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- Describe importance of vegetable crop
- They provide the body with vitamins
- They have pleasant colours and smell which make food appetizing
- They provide the body with minerals
- Are good complements of staple foods
- Source of raw materials to industries
- They can be sold to generate income
- Horticulture earns a country foreign exchange when exported. Any 6 x 1 = 6mks
- Cultural method of pest controll
- Timely planting – early planted crops may escape pest infestation
- Timely harvesting – crop may escape attack of pests like grain weevil
- Close season – a period during which a susceptible crop must not be grown to ensure destruction of pest.
- Trap crop-a crop planted to attract pest away from the main crop
- Crop rotation – starves pests associated with particular crop to death
- Plant persistent varieties- resist pest
- Field hygiene – minimize spread of pest e.g rouging
- Alteration of environmental condition crent micro-climate not conducive to form pests e.g pruning, mulching etc
- Destruction of alternate host – help reduce pest infestation e.g weed control
- Crop nutrition – crop grows faster and stronger to escape and resist pests.
NB ½ mk for each method and ½ for explanation. 14 x ½ = 7mks
- management practice in production of maize grain from planting to harvesting
- Clear the land.
- Prepare land during dry season.
- Thoroughly control perennial weeds
- Carry out primary land preparation
- Carry out secondary cultivation /harrow the land.
- Obtain a medium tilth.
- Select seeds that are suitable for the ecological zone.
- Long term hybrid varieties / high altitude / 611, 614, 626, 627 are medium term hybrids/medium altitude /511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, composite: Katumani hybrid, Makueni hybrid , Pwani hybrid - low rainfall area
- Plant at the onset of rainfall of rains /just before the rains start.
- Dig holes
- Depth of holes 8 – 10cm deep.
- Spacing 90cm x 30cm. (2 seed per hole)
- 75cm x 25 cm (1 seed per hole)
- apply a handful of farm yard manure per hole
- apply 10gm of DSI per hole
- Mix fertilizer and manure with the soil.
- Apply an appropriate pesticide during planting.
- Gap immediately after germination
- Control weeds through cultivation mulching or by use of appropriate herbicide.
- Top dress using nitrogenous first at knee high 145cm height.
- Control pest by applying correct patricide.
- Harvest when dry
- Cut stacks and stool
- Dehusk and thresh.
- Dry to 12% moisture content and store. Mark any seven correct point 7x1= 7mks
- Describe importance of vegetable crop
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