KCSE 2019 Agriculture 2019 Paper 1

2019 Agriculture Paper 1

I. Name four aspects of rain fall that affects agriculture. (2 marks)

• Rainfall intensity
• Rainfall distribution/pattern
• Rainfall amount
• Rainfall reliability2. State four factors that determine the depth of cultivation. (2 marks) 
• The type ot crop to be grown
• Type of implement used
• Soil moisture content
• Presence of hard pans
• Presence of underground obstacles
• Type of soil
• feed material eaten by the Animal3. State four factors that influence the quality of farmyard manure.(2 marks) 
• Species of the Animal
• Type of bedding material/litter used
• Method of storage
• Age of the farm yard manure
• Age of the Animal which produces the waste materials
• Type of animal
• Per capita income4. State two factors that determine national income.(1 marks) 
• Gross domestic product
• Gross national product
• Household firm relationship
• Natural resource endowment
• Shifting cultivation5. State four causes of land fragmentation. (2 marks) 
• Inheritance of land
• Population pressure leading to purchase of small scattered pieces.
• Accumulation of land holdings by money lenders due to debtors failing to pay
• Settlement and resettlement6. Name two types of labour records.(2 marks) 
• Muster roll
• Labour utilization analysis
• Storage pests7. State four ways in which crop pests are classified.(2 marks) 
• Field pests
• Biting and chewing pests
• Piercing and sucking pests
• Rodents
• Insect pests
• Scientific classification
• Stage of development
• Stage of growth of the crop attacked8. What is the minimum number of people required to form a co-operative society in Kenya? (½ marks) 
• Ten people9. Give two examples of fixed costs in maize production. (1 marks) 
• Salaries of permanent workers
• Insurance
• Rent
• Standing charges of telephone
• Depreciation cost of farm machinery
• Cost of buying machinery10. What is meant by the term production function? (1 marks) 
• It is the physical relationship between resource inputs and the corresponding output/product.11. State three characteristics of good trees for agroforestry.(1½ marks) 
• Fast growth rates
• Deep rooted
• Nitrogen fixing
• Good in by product production
• Leafy
• Highly branched
• Hardy12. Name two varieties of sorghum grown in Kenya.(1 marks) 
• Serena
• Dobbs
• Intama
• Humid
• Lulu13. State four reasons why agriculture is important to Kenya’s economy.(2 marks) 
• Source of food
• Source of employment
• Provision of raw materials for industries Provide market for industrial goods
• Source of income14. Give two reasons why the use of fire is discouraged in land clearing.(1 marks) 
• It kills soil micro-organisms
• Leads to loss of nutrients
• Destroys soil organic matter
• Leads to accumulation of ash that changes soil pH
• Destroys soil moisture
• Destroys soil structure15. State four ways in which mulching conserves water.(2 marks) 
• Prevents splash erosion/intercepts rain drops Reduces speed of surface run offs
• Reduces evaporation
• Increases water holding capacity
• Improves water infiltration16. State four uses of fault records.(2 marks) 
• Records help to compare the performance o1 different enterprises within a farm or other farms.
• They show the history of the farm.
• Guide a farmer in planning and budgeting of farm operations
• Help to detect losses or theft on the farm.
• Help in the assessment of income tax to avoid over or under taxation
• Help to determine the value of farm or to determine the assets and liabilities of the farm.
• Make it easy to share the profits and losses in partnerships
• Help in settling disputes among heirs to the estate when a farmer dies without leaving a will.
• Record help to show whether the farm business is making profits or losses.
• Help in insurance claims
• Provide labour information
• Help farmers to access credit17. State four characteristics of shifting cultivation.(2 marks) 
• Movement/shifting when soil loses its fertility
• Practiced where land is plenty
• Practicable with annual crops not with perennials
• Agricultural output is low
• Inputs such as pesticides, fungicides are rarely used
• Simple hand tools are used
• Land communally owned
• Population is sparse
• Low number of livestock per unit area18. State the law of supply as used in agricultural marketing.(1 marks)As the price of a commodity increases the quantity offered for sale increases and as the price of commodity falls the quantity supplied declines.

  19. State four ways in which trees improve soil productivity.(2 marks)

   

• Conserve moisture
• Improve soil structure
• Control soil erosion
• Contribute plant nutrients/organic matter
• Is a combination of chemical, physical, biological and cultural20. What is meant by the term integrated pest management? (2 marks)Pest control methods.

  Section B (20 MARKS)

  Answer all the questions in this section

  21. The diagram below illustrate a tomato fruit infested by a field pest

   

• (a) Identify the pest. (1 mark)American-bollworms(b) State two ways in which the pest is economically important. (2 mark)

   

• Reduces the quality of produce by boring holes on fruits
• Increase the cost of production by purchase of pesticide(c) State two cultural ways of controlling the pest. (2 mark) 
• Early planting
• Field hygiene/Removal and destruction of affected crop residues
• Plant Mexican marigold in the field
• Destruction of alternate host
• Close season Crop rotation
• Intercropping22. The diagram below shows a weed
• 
• (a) Identify the weed. (1 mark)Nut grass/sedge/Cyperus rotundus(b) Using features on the diagram, give two reasons why it is difficult to eradicate the above weed. (2 marks)

   

• It has underground nuts which regenerate.
• Produces many seeds to enhance survival chances(c) State two ways in which the weed is economically important. (2 marks) 
• Competes for nutrients with crops greatly reducing yield
• Increases production costs
• Reduces quality of pastures/can damage the teeth of livestock
• Blocks irrigation channels23. The diagram below represent soil structures
• 
• (a) Identify the soil structure labelled M, N and P.
• M — Prismatic structure
• N — Platy structure
• P — Granular structure(b) Name the type of soil where each of the structures labelled N and Q is found. 
• N — Clay soil
• Q — Sandy soil24, The diagram below shows an illustration of a crop field practice.
• 
• (a) Identify the field practice illustrated above.(I mark)Earthing up;(b) Name two crops which require the practice illustrated.(2 mark)

   

• Groundnuts
• Potatoes
• Irish potatoes
• Sweet Potatoes
• Maize(c) Give two reasons for carrying out the practice on one of the crops you have named in (b) above. (2 marks) 
• To improve tuber formation in Irish/sweet potato
• To encourage/improve seed formation in groundnuts
• To improve drainage and provide support in tobacco
• To provide support/prevent lodging in cereal crops like maize
• To prevent greening in root/ tuber crops;SECTION C (40 marks)Answer any two questions from this section

  25. (a) Explain seven factors that should be considered when selecting seeds for planting. (7 marks)

   

• Adaptability — should be adapted to local ecological conditions
• Physical deformities/damages — should be free from physical deformities/damages Should be free from pests/diseases Viability/high germination percentage — should have high viability/ germination percentage
• Should be from high yielding/healthy plant early maturing
• Purity; should be clean/free from impurities
• Maturity; should be of correct maturity stage
• Age/storage period; seeds stored for long periods have low viability/germination percentage hence should not be selected
• Size of seeds; seeds should be of correct size(b) State four benefits of adequate and reliable rainfall in vegetable crop production. (4 marks) 
• Ensures adequate supply of water to the crop Production/growing of vegetables is done throughout the year
• Controls pests in crop production
• Maximizes the utilization of available resources
• Increases yields and ensure a steady supply of food throughout the year
• Ensures a steady and reliable source of income and employment(c) State four pieces of information contained in an invoice.(4 marks) 
• Date of the transaction
• Type of goods
• Quantity of goods
• Price of goods
• Total amount of money involved
• Invoice number
• Terms of payment
• Name of supplier
• Signature/stamp of supplier(d) State five roles of calcium in crop production.(5 marks) 
• Calcium acetate strengthens plant cell wall
• Calcium is necessary in protein synthesis
• Promotes soil aggregate formation thus improving soil aeration, water infiltration and retention
• Calcium compounds when added to acidic soils they raise soil pH
• Increases cation exchange capacity
• Makes phosphorus and potassium available for plant uptake.
• Controls blossom end rot in tomatoes;26. (a) Describe how sugar cane is harvested.(5 marks) 
• Harvest at the correct age 13 — 22 months for plant crops months for ratoon crop
• Take sugar cane samples for testing to determine maturity
• Cut the mature cane at the base/near the ground
• Cut off the green tops
• Strip off green leaves/using machete/bum before harvesting
• Deliver the cane to the factory within 48 hours/ immediately after cutting(b) Explain four factors that determine the nutrient content of hay.(4 marks) 
• Stage of growth at harvesting time- cut when 50% has flowered
• Species of the forage crop used- rich in nutrients Duration of storage- long storage lowers the quality Weather conditions during drying- dry and sunny conditions produce high quality hay
• Length of drying period- rapid drying produces high quality Pest/disease attack on the crop- free from diseases
• Method of storage- store in a dry place under shade(c) State seven roles of a farm manager.(7 marks) 
• Short term planning/making quick decisions in order to carry on t e activities in appropriate time and hence avoid a crisis
• Long term planning/making decisions which are linked to the future plans and operations on the farm
• Gathering and analyzing information related to the enterprises
• Detecting weaknesses and constraints and finding ways and means of overcoming them.
• Keeping farm records or accounts
• Guiding and supervising the farm management
• Bearing consequences/responsibility of plans/decisions
• Making predictions of the likely outcome of possible alternative courses of action
• Comparing ones enterprise with the set standards(d) Describe four methods used to reclaim a swampy land for agricultural production. (4 marks) 
• Open ditches — U shaped, V-shaped, trapezoidal ditches are dug for excess water to flow away by gravity
• Underground drain pipes/perforated pipes are laid underground, excess water then seeps from the surrounding area into the pipes and flows to a water way
• French drains — ditches are dug, filled with stones and gravel and then covered with soil. Excess water from the surrounding area seeps into these drains and is carried away.
• Cambered beds — Raised beds are constructed to allow excess water to flow away in furrows.
• Pumping — is draining excess water from the swampy area using mechanical force.
• Planting of trees — e.g. Eucalyptus absorbs a lot of water from swampy areas.27. (a) Describe the production of carrots under the following subheadings:(i) land preparation (3 marks)

   

• land preparation
• Clear the bush/using a panga/slasher Remove stump
• Primary cultivation is done using jembe/ploughs
• Secondary cultivation/harrow to a fine tilth
• Avoid manure application to prevent forking(ii) planting (4 marks) 
• Make drills 30cm apart and lcm deep
• Apply phosphates/DSP/DAP/MAP fertilizer during planting Sow seeds along the drills Cover with top soil
• Apply fertilizer at the rate of 90kg of DSP/DAP
• Plant at the onset of rains/when the soil has enough moisture
• Firm the soil after planting;(b) Describe six ways in which grass cover helps in soil and water conservation. (6 marks) 
• Grass cover reduces the speed of run off which lowers the erosive power of run off
• Grass cover reduces/intercepts the impact of rain drops which reduces splash erosion
• Grass cover protects soil surface hence reducing wind erosion
• Gross cover holds soil particles together from being carried away by erosive agents The grass improves soil structure
• Grass cover improve infiltration rate of water
• Grass cover reduces the rate of evaporation of soil moisture.
• Grass filters trap soil(c) Explain seven nursery management practices. (7 marks) 
• Mulching — A light mulch is applied on the nursery bed before seedlings emerge to conserve moisture and control erosion
• Watering — nursery bed is watered regularly in the morning and evening to ensure adequate water supply.
• Weed control- weeds are removed through uprooting to minimize competition with the crop
• Pricking out- overcrowded seedlings are removed and planted in a second nursery bed/seedling bed
• Shading — A light shade is erected over the nursery bed to protect young seedlings from excess sunlight/ rain drops that damage them.
• Pest and disease control – controlled through application of appropriate chemical/fungicides
• Hardening off — is gradual reduction of shade and watering 1 — 2 weeks before transplanting seedlings to acclimatize them to seed bed conditions
• Root trmming- cut at the tips to encourage lateral root development
• Application of foliar feed fertilizer to boost growth
• Removal of mulch after emergence to prevent etiolation