Agriculture Paper 1 Questions and Answers - Achievers Joint Mock Exams 2023

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Agriculture Paper 2 Questions and Answers - Achievers Joint Mock Exams 2023

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Instructions to candidates.

Candidates should answer all the questions in English.

SECTION A (30 MARKS)

State two causes of forking in carrots (1mk)
Name four books of account kept by a farmer (2 mks)
Give the element whose deficiency in plants is characterized by the following
1. Interveinal chlorosis of the leaves (½ mark)
2. Blossom end rot in tomatoes (1/2mark)
3. Scorched edges of a leaf (½mark)
Give four advantages of using grafting as a method of improving avocado fruits. (2mks)
Give four reasons for using certified seeds for planting. (2mks)
List three methods used to control weeds in pastures. (1 ½ mks)
State two reasons for conserving forage crops. (1mk)
State four effects of high level of education and technology on agriculture (2marks)
State four features that characterize subsistence farming (2mks)
Name three aspects of light that affect agricultural production (11/2marks)
Give four farming practices in agriculture that destroy soil structure (2mks)
State four characteristics of clay soil (2mks)
Give three reasons for erecting a shade over a nursery bed (11/2mks)
State three characteristics of good root stock (11/2)
Name three tertiary operations in land preparations (11/2)
State four reasons for sub-soiling. (2mks)
Give four importance of seed selection (2mks)
Outline four factors that determine the time of planting (2mks)
State four ways in which land reform can be implemented in Kenya (2mks)

SECTION B (20 MARKS)

Study the methods of crop propagation illustrated below and answer the questions that follow
1. Identify the methods of crop propagation illustrated above
  1. ...............(1mk)
  2. ...............(1mk)
  3. ...............(1mk)
2. Give one condition under which method (1) above is carried out. (1mk)
3. State two disadvantages of using stem cuttings for planting. (1mk)
Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow
1. Identify the diagram shown above (1mk)
2. Under what conditions would you expect the above diagram to occur (2mks)
3. State two ways of preventing the conditions shown in a above from occurring (2mks)
The diagrams below show symptoms of disease attack on some field crops.
Study them and answer the questions that follow.
1. Identify the pathogen causing symptoms shown in diagrams labeled P and Q. (1mk)
2. Give the name of the disease whose symptoms are indicated in diagrams P and Q. (1mk)
3. State two harmful effects of crop disease shown in diagram Q. (2mks)
4. Give two cultural control measures for infestation Q. (1mk)
Below is a diagram of a clamp silo. Study it carefully and then answer the following questions.
1. 1. What is the use of the soil layer at the sides? (1mk)
  2. Why should the top of the silage material be arched or slopping? (1mk)
  3. Why is it necessary to check the temperature of the material throughout the ensiling process? (1mk)
  4. How is high temperatures reduced in the silo during ensiling process? (1mk)
  5. Give two reasons why molasses are added while making silage using Napier. (1mk)

SECTION C (40 MARKS)

1. State four major questions a farm manager needs to ask and answer while preparing a partial budget (4mks)
2. Under what conditions is partial budget an appropriate tool for planning (4mks)
3. A farmer has 160 ha of land, 60 ha of which is under wheat, 32 ha under maize, 12ha under fodder crops and the rest under pastures. She wishes to know whether replacing 12 ha of maize with irish potatoes the following year would be worthwhile. The fertilizer would have to be increased from 5 bags per ha for maize to 7 bags per ha for irish potatoes and an extra 100 man –days of casual labour per ha will be necessary as a result of the change. The average yield of maize and irish potatoes is 45 and 115 bags/ha respectively. The prices are Shs. 1400 per bag for maize and Ksh.1200 per bag for irish potatoes seed costs are Sh.2500 per ha for maize and Shs. 30,000 per ha for irish potatoes. Fertilizer costs are Shs.1300 per bag. Labour is paid at Shs. 150 per man-day.
  Draw up a partial budget and indicate the effects of the change (12mks)
1. Explain five factors that influence soil productivity. (10mks)
2. Outline five factors that a farmer would consider before deciding on the type of irrigation in crop production. (5mks)
3. Describe the qualities of the mother plant that should be considered when selecting vegetative material for planting. (5mks)
1. Explain cultural measures used in the control of weeds in a field of Cereal crop. (10mks)
2. Explain six factors that can influence a well designed crop rotational program.(6mks)
3. Give four reasons why timely ploughing of the seedbed is important in crop production. (4mks)

MARKING SCHEME

SECTION A (30MARKS)

Causes of forking in carrots 2x ½= 1mark
- Conditions of heavy soils
- A lot of undecomposed organic matter /manure in the soil
Name four books of account kept by a farmer (4x ½ =2 mark)
- Journal
- Cash books
- Inventory
- Ledger
Give the element whose deficiency in plants is plants is characterized by the following
- manganese (1x½=1/2 mk)
- calcium (1x1/2=1/2 mk)
- potassium (1x ½ =½ mark)
Importance of grafting
- plants mature early
- It is possible to produce crops that would otherwise not be propagated through other means like use of seeds
- Its possible to use root stock with cetain beneficial traits such as drought and disease resistance.
- More than one type of plant variety can be produced on the same rootstock
- It makes possible to repair damaged plant parts,
- Crop variety obtained may have higher /more desirable qualities in terms of taste and size.
  ( ½ x 4 = 2mks)
Reasons for using certified seeds for planting;
- Certified seeds have high germination percentage
- They are free from diseases and pests
- They give high yields
- Able to adopt to certain ecological conditions
- Bred true to type
- Free from foreign materials
- Free from physical damage
  ( ½ x 4 = 2mks)
Methods used to control weeds in pasture;
- Use of herbicides
- Slashing / mowing/tillage
- Uprooting
  ( ½ x 3 = 1 ½ mks)
Reasons for conserving forage;
- To avoid wastage in times of planting
- To ensure enough supply throughout the year
- To earn income from selling excess forage
- To ensure good utilization of land.
  ( ½ x 2 = 1mk)
Four effects of high level of education and technology on agriculture (2marks)
- Help to interprete technical information
- Help to eradicate beliefs which affect agriculture
- Helps in accurate measurement and application of input
- Helps in proper decision making
- Help in proper crop and husbandry practices
- Leads to adoption of modern technologies
- Leads to proper recording and efficiency
Four features that characterize subsistence farming (2mks)
- Land for production is small
- Produce food just enough for home consumption
- There is limited application of farm inputs
- Emphasize mainly on food crops rather than cash crops
- Mixed farming and mixed cropping are commonly practiced
- There is limited application of farm inputs
- Use of labour intensive methods and simple hand tools (3 x ½ = 1½ marks)
Name three aspects of light that affect agricultural production (11/2marks)
- Light duration
- Light intensity
- Light wavelength/quality (3 x ½ = 1½ marks)
Four farming practices in agriculture that destroy soil structure (2mks)
- Over-cultivation of the soil/land
- Using heavy machinery on wet soil
- Cultivating when soil is too wet or too dry
- Deforestation
- Overstocking
- Monocropping
- Burning of land (4 x ½ = 2 marks)
Four characteristics of clay soil (2mks)
- Fine in texture
- Poorly drained
- Has high water holding capacity
- Sticky when wet
- Hard and cracks when dry
- It is highly plastic and can easily be moulded
- Has high capillarity
- High pH (alkaline)
- Has high ion-exchange capacity (4 x ½ = 2 marks)
Three reasons for erecting a shade over a nursery bed (11/2mks)
- Prevent scorching of seedlings by direct sunlight
- Prevent damage of seedlings by rains
- Reduce hardening of the ground around the seedlings as a result of the impact of raindrops
- To reduce evaporation rate/conserve moisture (3 x ½ = 1½ marks)
Three characteristics of good root stock (11/2)
- Should be disease and pest tolerant
- Should be health and vigorous in growth
- Should be able to adapt to different soils and conditions
- Should be compatible with series of different crops (3 x ½ =1½ marks)
Three tertiary operations in land preparations (11/2)
- Ridging
- Rolling
- Levelling (4 x ½ = 2 marks)
Four reasons for sub-soiling. (2mks)
- Loosens up the soil
- Improves drainage and aeration of the soil
- It brings to the surface minerals below the soil/leached to lower soil layers
- Improves root penetration and development
- Bulky residues of pervious crops are buried in the process
  (4 x ½ = 2 marks)
Four importance of seed selection (2mks)
- To obtain seeds that produce high quality yields
- To obtain seeds with high germination percentage
- To get seeds that are suited to a given ecological region
- To obtain seeds that are disease and pest free
- Free from foreign particles
- Free from physical damage (4 x ½ = 2 marks)
Four factors that determine the time of planting (2mks)
- Rainfall pattern/moisture availability
- Type of crop to be planted/growth habit
- Purpose of the crop
- Prevalence of pests, diseases, frost and other adverse ecological conditions
- Market demand
- Expected harvesting time in line with weather conditions
  (4 x ½ = 2 marks)
.Four ways in which land reform can be implemented in Kenya (2mks)
- Land consolidation
- Land adjudication and registration/issue of title deed
- Land settlement and resettlement
- Tenancy reform
- Redistribution of land
- Improved land legislation
- Land subdivision (4 x ½ = 2 marks)

SECTION B (20MARKS)

1. 1. Whip / tongue grafting
  2. Tissue culture / banana tissue culture
  3. Aerial layering / marcotting (3mks)
2. Condition under which method carried out
  - when the root stock have the same diameter as a scion (1mk)
3. Disadvantages of using stem cutting (1mk)
  1. Stem cuttings does not results in new crop varieties
  2. Stem cuttings cannot be stored for long
1. Rill erosion (1mk)
2. - Where there is little vegetation
  - Where land has first been plunged
  - Where there is concentration of flowing water (2mks)
3. - Practice cover cropping
  - Cultivation along contours
  - Mulching
  - Intercropping (2mks)
1. p_phytophthora infestans/fungus
  Q – Ustilago SPP/ fungus (1mk)
2. P – lateblight / blight
  Q – smut (1mk)
3. - ower crop yields
  - ower the quality of products
  - cause food poisoning (2mks)
4. - use certified seeds
  - crop rotation
  - field hygiene (1mk)
1. To absorb plant saps / or juices from the material and moisture from outside (1mk)
2. For easy drainage of rain water. (1mk)
3. To avoid overheating of the silage which lead to poor quality. (1mk)
4. 1. sprinkling of water
  2. Adding succulent materials
  3. reduction in compaction. (1mk)
5. 1. To add nutrients to the silage ( 1mk)
  2. To add carbohydrates materials used by the fermentation bacteria / encourage fermentation.
1. What extra coats will be involved in the change
  What costs will be saved
  What extra revenue from the change
  What revenue will be fore gone
  Is the change worthwhile
  (1 x4) = 4 mk
2. - When replacing one enterprise with another
  - When expanding are enterprise to the expense of another / reduce another
  - When introducing an enterprise which is subsiding to the existing one
  - When replacing one technique of production with another
    ( 1x 4) = 4 mks
3. CR - DR = 1,764,000 - 1,405,200 = ksh 358, 8000/=
  The change is worthwhile because the farmer will make profit MAXIMUM 12 MKS
1. Five factors that influences soil productivity.
  - Good supply of crop nutrients
  - Well aerated
  - Good drainage
  - Abundance of useful soil micro-organism
  - Adequate water retention
  - Freedom from plant pests and diseases causing organism
  - Free from obnoxious weeds.e.g witch weeds. Starting
    1mk (10x2=10mks)
2. Five factors to consider in choosing a method of irrigation.
  - Type of soil
  - Types of crop to be grown
  - Source of water/quality of water
  - Size of land to be irrigated
  - Capital available/topography of land
  - Profitability/viability of enterprises
3. Qualities of mother plant
  - High yielding
  - Resistant to pest/diseases
  - High quality produce
  - High rooting ability
  - Early maturing
    (5x1=5mks)
1. Proper/correct spacing
  - Mulching
  - Flooding
  - Early planting
  - Application of manure and fertilizers
  - Crop rotation
  - Clean seedbed
  - Cover cropping
    (2x5=10mk)
    Explanation (1x5)
2. - Crop root depth
  - Crop nutrient requirement
  - Weed control
  - Pest and diseases control
  - Soil fertility
  - Soil structure
    (1x6==6mks)
3. - Saves time and labour that could otherwise have been used in cultivation
  - Reduces operational costs involved in seedbed preparation
  - Conserves soil moisture
  - Maintain soil structure
  - Minimizes damage or disturbance to crop roots
  - Helps to preserve soil micro-organism
  - t minimizes volatilization of certain minerals/nutrients.
  - It minimizes soil erosion/pulverization