(a) State one method of propagating each of specimens J (YAM TUBER), K (PLANTAIN), and L (TOMATO FRUIT) on the farm (b) Describe briefly the method of plant...

(a) One method of propagation for each specimen:

• Specimen J (yam tuber): vegetative propagation using yam setts (pieces cut from the tuber, or seed yams / minisetts).
• Specimen K (plantain): vegetative propagation using suckers (offshoots from the base of the mother plant); corms may also be used.
• Specimen L (tomato fruit): sexual propagation using the seeds extracted from the ripe fruit.

(b) Method of planting each specimen:

Specimen J (yam): The tuber is cut into setts, each carrying a portion of skin and a bud. The cut surfaces are treated (dusted with wood ash) and allowed to dry. Ridges or mounds/heaps are made, and each sett is planted about 8 to 10 cm deep, with the cut surface facing downwards, at a spacing of about 1 m by 1 m. The mounds are then mulched.

Specimen K (plantain): Healthy suckers (preferably sword suckers) are detached from the mother plant with a portion of the corm. Planting holes about 30 cm deep are dug at a spacing of about 3 m by 3 m. A sucker is placed upright in each hole, the corm is covered with topsoil, firmed and mulched.

Specimen L (tomato): Ripe fruits are cut and the seeds extracted, washed and dried. The seeds are first sown in a nursery bed or seed box by drilling in shallow rows and lightly covered with fine soil, then watered. After about 3 to 4 weeks the seedlings are transplanted to the field at a spacing of about 60 cm by 45 cm.