Agricultural Science Past Questions and Answers

(a) What is soil consistency? <br/>(b) Explain how each of the following soil properties influences crop growth: <br/> (i) <i>s</i><i>oil t</i><i>ex</i><i>tur</i><i>e; </i>[2 marks] <br/>(ii) <i>soil pH</i><i>. </i>[4 marks]<br/>(c) (i) List four methods by which soil fertility could be maintained. [2 marks] <br/>(ii) Explain two ways in which each of the methods listed in 3(c)(i) contributes <br/>to the maintenance of soil fertility. [8 marks]

(a) (i) Define the term <i>so</i><i>i</i><i>l tillage</i><i>. </i>[2 marks] <br/>(ii) Distinguish between primary tillage and secondary tillage. [2 marks] <br/>(b) Outline three roles of each of the following soil management practices: <br/>(i) <i>Gr</i><i>e</i><i>en manuring; </i><br/>(ii) <i>Mulching. </i>[6 marks] <br/>(c) Give six reasons for carrying out irrigation in crop production. [6 marks]

(a)(i) Define vegetative propagation. [2 marks] <br/>(ii) Give three advantages and three disadvantages of vegetative propagation. [6 marks] <br/>(b) State four cultural methods used for controlling crop pests in the field. [4 marks] <br/>(c) Enumerate four harmful effects of chemical pest control. [4 marks]

(a) Distinguish between a field pest and a storage pest. [2 marks] <br/> (b) Give two reasons for early harvesting of maize from the field. [2 marks] <br/> (c) Describe each of the following methods of crop improvement: <br/> (i) introduction; <br/> (ii) cross breeding. [6 marks] <br/> (d) List six factors that should be considered in selecting a crop variety for your locality. [6 marks]

(a) State four ways in which rangeland is important in livestock production. [4 marks] <br/>(b) If the recommended grazing area per cattle is 3m x 3m. Calculate in hectares the carrying capacity of the rangeland illustrated in the diagram below. [6 marks]<br/><br/>(c) State two benefits of each of the following management practices in animal production: <br/> (i) <i>dipping; </i><br/> (ii) <i>vaccination; </i><br/> (iii) <i>artificial insemination. </i>[6 marks]