(a) List four asexual methods of crop propagation. (b) Define the following terms: (i) mixed farming (ii) inter-cropping (iii) ley farming (c) State four ad...

Answer Details

(a) Four asexual methods of crop propagation:

• Propagation by cuttings (for example cassava, sugar-cane)
• Propagation by budding
• Propagation by grafting
• Propagation by layering
• Propagation by suckers, tubers, bulbs or corms

(b) Definitions:

• (i) Mixed farming: The practice of growing crops and rearing animals together on the same piece of land at the same time, where each enterprise supports the other.
• (ii) Inter-cropping: The practice of growing two or more different crops together on the same piece of land at the same time.
• (iii) Ley farming: A system in which land is put under arable (crop) cultivation for some years and then put under grass or pasture for grazing for a period before returning it to crops, in rotation.

(c) Four advantages of mixed farming:

• Animal dung is used as manure to improve soil fertility for the crops.
• Crop residues and by-products are used to feed the animals.
• It provides a steady, all-year-round income from both crops and animals.
• It spreads the risk of total farm failure and makes fuller use of land and labour.

Four advantages of inter-cropping:

• It gives a higher total yield and better use of the land per unit area.
• Leguminous crops in the mixture add nitrogen to the soil for the other crops.
• The ground cover reduces soil erosion and suppresses weeds.
• It insures the farmer against total loss if one crop fails.