Alright! Let's tackle these questions.
* Crop rotation is a smart move because it breaks pest and disease cycles, improves soil structure and
fertility by alternating nutrient demands and root depths, and can help control weeds. This ultimately
leads to better crop yields.
* To boost rice or maize production, you'd focus on:
* (i) Land preparation: Ensuring a well-tilled seedbed with good drainage for rice or proper tilth for
maize.
* (ii) Weeding: Controlling weeds early to prevent competition for resources.
* (iii) Fertilizer application: Providing the right nutrients at the right time based on soil testing and crop
needs.
* (iv) Pest and disease control: Implementing integrated pest management strategies to minimize
losses.
* (v) Harvesting and (vi) storage: Harvesting at the optimal maturity stage and using proper storage
techniques to prevent spoilage.
* Here are five crops in the family Leguminosae with their botanical names:
* Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
* Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)
* Soybean (Glycine max)
* Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
* Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)
And three special botanical features of cereals:
* They are monocots, meaning they have one seed leaf (cotyledon).
* Their leaves have parallel venation.
* They typically have fibrous root systems.
* For cowpea or soybean production:
* (a) Climatic requirement: They generally prefer warm temperatures and adequate rainfall during the
growing season.
* (b) Soil type and pH: Well-drained, fertile soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0-7.0) are
ideal.
* (c) Field establishment (sowing date, sowing depth, seed rate, spacing): Sowing is usually done after
the last frost, at a depth of about 2-5 cm, with seed rates and spacing varying depending on the variety
and planting system (e.g., row planting with specific inter- and intra-row spacing).
* (a) Briefly describe what you understand by intra- and inter-row spacing:
* Intra-row spacing refers to the distance between individual plants within the same row.
* Inter-row spacing refers to the distance between adjacent rows of plants.
(b) Give reasons why optimum plant population is important in crop production: An optimal plant
population ensures efficient utilization of resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients, leading to
maximum yield. Too low a population wastes resources, while too high a population leads to
competition and reduced individual plant performance.
(c) Determine the quantity of 50kg bag of NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer required for maize farm at the
recommended rate of 120-60-60 kg NPK per hectare:
First, let's figure out the nutrient content per bag:
* Nitrogen (N): 20% of 50 kg = 0.20 \times 50 = 10 kg
* Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 10% of 50 kg = 0.10 \times 50 = 5 kg. To get elemental phosphorus (P), we
multiply by the conversion factor \frac{31}{142} \approx 0.218: 5 \times 0.218 \approx 1.09 kg P
* Potassium (K₂O): 10% of 50 kg = 0.10 \times 50 = 5 kg. To get elemental potassium (K), we multiply
by the conversion factor \frac{39}{94} \approx 0.83: 5 \times 0.83 \approx 4.15 kg K
Now, let's calculate how many bags are needed to meet the per hectare requirements:
* Nitrogen: \frac{120 \text{ kg/ha}}{10 \text{ kg/bag}} = 12 bags/ha
* Phosphorus: \frac{60 \text{ kg P₂O₅/ha}}{5 \text{ kg P₂O₅/bag}} = 12 bags/ha
* Potassium: \frac{60 \text{ kg K₂O/ha}}{5 \text{ kg K₂O/bag}} = 12 bags/ha
Therefore, you would need 12 bags of the 50kg NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer per hectare to meet the
recommended rate.
* (a) List any two annual crops in each of the provided classes:
* (i) Cereals: Maize (Zea mays), Rice (Oryza sativa)
* (ii) Fibres: Cotton (Gossypium spp.), Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus)
* (iii) Legumes: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), Soybean (Glycine max)
* (iv) Root/Tuber: Cassava (Manihot esculenta), Yam (Dioscorea spp.)
(b) Write a short note on:
* (i) Direct seeding: This is a planting method where seeds are sown directly into the prepared field
rather than transplanting seedlings. It can be less labor-intensive but requires good seedbed preparation
and weed control.
* (ii) Nursery practices: These are techniques used to raise seedlings in a controlled environment
before transplanting them to the main field. This allows for better early growth, selection of healthy
seedlings, and can extend the growing season.
* (iii) Sign of harvesting maturity in crops: These are visual or physiological indicators that a crop has
reached its optimal stage for harvest. Examples include changes in fruit color, pod dryness in legumes,
yellowing of leaves in cereals, or reaching a certain size or firmness in root crops.
Hope this helps you ace your exam! Let me know if you have any other questions.
