TEST OF PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE QUESTION (a) Identify specimens E, F. G and H. {2 marks} Specimen E, Specimen F; Specimen G; Specimen H; (b) Name the part of th...

Answer Details

(a) Identification of specimens

• Specimen E: Maize weevil.
• Specimen F: Cotton stainer bug (Dysdercus).
• Specimen G: Termite.
• Specimen H: Grasshopper.

(b) Part of the plant usually attacked by each

• E (maize weevil): maize grains (stored cereal grains).
• F (cotton stainer bug): cotton bolls, okro fruits and akee apple.
• G (termite): crop stems, roots and grains of lodged cereals.
• H (grasshopper): plant leaves and young shoots.

(c) Two ways by which each specimen damages crops

Specimen E (maize weevil):

1. Bores into the grains of maize, creating holes and destroying the embryo so that the grain cannot germinate.
2. Eats the endosperm, reducing the food value; the vents created serve as sites for secondary infection.

Specimen F (cotton stainer bug):

1. Pierces into mature cotton bolls, okro fruits and akee apple, staining the cotton lint and preventing good fruit formation.
2. Causes premature drop of fruits; the vents created serve as sites for secondary infection.

Specimen G (termite):

1. Chews the stems and roots of plants and tubers, weakening them so that the plants lodge.
2. Destroys seed grains lying on the field and creates tunnels that serve as sites for secondary infection.

Specimen H (grasshopper):

1. Causes defoliation of crops and destroys young shoots and buds, reducing the photosynthetic ability and growth of the crop.
2. The wounds left on the crops serve as vents for secondary infection.

(d) Three methods of controlling specimen E (maize weevil)

1. Dry the grains very well before storing and store them in air-tight (hermetic) containers.
2. Apply approved pesticides to the grains before storage and fumigate the storage facilities.
3. Store the grains with hot dried pepper or neem extracts, or use smoke to kill and ward off the weevils; harvest early soon after drying.