WAEC SSCE - Agricultural Science - 2022
Question 1 Report
Potassium deficiency in cereal crops Is indicated by
Answer Details
Potassium is an essential nutrient for the growth and development of cereal crops. When there is a deficiency of potassium, it can be indicated by browning of leaves from the tips and margins. The leaves may also become weak and susceptible to disease and pests. This is because potassium helps in the regulation of plant water balance and strengthening of cell walls. Therefore, a lack of potassium can lead to water stress and weaker cell walls, causing the leaves to turn brown and die. Yellowing of younger leaves is not usually associated with potassium deficiency but rather with other nutrient deficiencies such as nitrogen. Purpling of leaves can be a sign of phosphorus deficiency. White and irregular spots on leaves can be caused by fungal or bacterial infections.
Question 2 Report
Swampy lands are most suitable for growing
Answer Details
Swampy lands are most suitable for growing rice. This is because rice thrives in wetland environments where there is abundant water supply. Swampy lands usually have a high water table and can retain moisture for a long time, making them ideal for the cultivation of rice. Additionally, rice is a semi-aquatic crop that can tolerate flooding, making it well-suited for growing in areas with fluctuating water levels. Therefore, rice is the most suitable crop to grow in swampy lands.
Question 3 Report
Which of the following groups of crops will thrive in areas with high rainfall?
Answer Details
The group of crops that will thrive in areas with high rainfall is Guinea corn, cowpea, and maize. This is because these crops are well adapted to the tropical climate, and can withstand the high humidity and rainfall associated with such areas. Additionally, they require high moisture content for good germination and growth. Cotton, cowpea, and groundnut, on the other hand, are crops that thrive better in semi-arid areas, where there is less rainfall. Millet, maize, and cotton can also be grown in areas with low to moderate rainfall, but may not do well in areas with high rainfall due to increased risk of fungal diseases and waterlogging. Cocoa, oil palm, and rubber are tree crops that are grown in areas with high rainfall, but they require specific conditions such as well-drained soils and specific climatic conditions to thrive.
Question 4 Report
Use the information below to answer this question.
I. Yellowing of leaves
II. Raised brown spots on the leaves
III. Drying up of leaves
IV. Exudation of gum
The disease of citrus described above is
Answer Details
The disease of citrus described above is gummosis. This is because one of the symptoms mentioned is the exudation of gum, which is a characteristic symptom of gummosis. Yellowing of leaves, raised brown spots on the leaves, and drying up of leaves are not typically associated with gummosis, but can be symptoms of other citrus diseases. Blight and tristeza are also citrus diseases, but they do not typically cause gum exudation as a symptom.
Question 5 Report
The table below illustrates a farm record for Goodness Farms in the year 1970. Use it to answer this question.
| DATE | NUMBER OF HENS |
TOTAL EGGS COLLECTED |
TOTAL EGGS SOLD |
| 4th June | 362 | 176 | 96 |
| 5th June | 360 | 199 | 108 |
| 6th June | 360 | 177 | 48 |
Calculate the total amount of eggs sold on the farm.
Answer Details
To calculate the total amount of eggs sold, we need to add up the number of eggs sold on each day. According to the table, on the 4th of June, 96 eggs were sold, on the 5th of June, 108 eggs were sold, and on the 6th of June, 48 eggs were sold. Therefore, the total amount of eggs sold is 96 + 108 + 48 = 252. So, the correct option is 252.
Question 6 Report
The establishment of cooperative farming is encouraged by governments because it
Answer Details
Question 7 Report
Use the information below to answer this question.
In an experiment on soil porosity, the following results were obtained:
Volume of dry soil = 52cm³
Volume of water= 48cm³
Volume of soil and water=78cm³
Determine the volume of airspace in the soil sample.
Answer Details
Question 9 Report
The diagram below illustrates the digestive system of a farm animal. Use it to answer this question.
The part labelled lll is the
Question 10 Report
If 200 layers require 25 kg of layer mash per day, calculate the quantity of feed required by 1,000 layers per day.
Answer Details
Question 11 Report
Water can be conserved in the soil by
Answer Details
Water can be conserved in the soil through various management practices that aim to reduce evaporation and runoff, and increase infiltration and water holding capacity. Mulching, strip cropping, and cover cropping are among the best ways to conserve water in the soil. Mulching involves covering the soil with organic or inorganic materials such as leaves, straw, or plastic, which reduces water loss due to evaporation and helps retain moisture in the soil. Strip cropping involves alternating strips of crops or cover crops with fallow land or other crops, which reduces runoff and erosion, and improves water infiltration and soil structure. Cover cropping involves planting a cover crop that can hold water in the soil, reduce evaporation, and improve soil health. By implementing these practices, water can be conserved in the soil, which is important for sustainable agriculture and the efficient use of water resources.
Question 12 Report
If maize seeds are sown at a spacing of 60 cm by 90 cm, what is the plant population of maize expected on one hectare of farmland?
Question 13 Report
Ranging poles used in farm surveying have characteristic
Answer Details
Ranging poles used in farm surveying typically have red and white bands. This is because the high contrast between the red and white bands makes the poles highly visible even from a distance. The poles are used to mark the boundaries and reference points in the field, and their visibility is important for accurate measurements and mapping. The use of red and white bands is a standard practice in surveying and is recognized internationally.
Question 15 Report
The diagram below illustrates a farm implement. Use it to answer this question.
The part of the illustrated farm implement which enables it to roll over obstacles is labelled
Answer Details
Question 17 Report
Which of the following crops is correctly matched with a disease that affects it?
Answer Details
The correct match between a crop and a disease that affects it is: - Maize - smut Smut is a fungal disease that affects maize plants. It causes the formation of large, black, powdery masses on the ears, tassels, leaves, and stems of the plant. The masses contain millions of fungal spores that can be spread by wind, rain, and insects to other plants. Smut can reduce the yield and quality of maize crops, and infected plants should be removed and destroyed to prevent the disease from spreading. The other options are incorrect matches between crops and diseases: - Sorghum - scab (scab is a disease that affects wheat and barley) - Rice- black arm (black arm is a disease that affects cotton) - Yam- blast (blast is a disease that affects rice)
Question 18 Report
The correct order of arrangement of ration for piglets from day old is
Answer Details
The correct order of arrangement of ration for piglets from day old is: creep > weaners > growers > finisher. This is because piglets require different levels of nutrients and energy at different stages of their growth. The creep feed is provided to piglets during the nursing period, usually starting at around 3 weeks of age. After weaning, the piglets are fed with weaner feed, which has a higher protein content to aid in their growth and development. As they continue to grow, they are then given growers feed, which contains the necessary nutrients for optimal growth. Finally, as the pigs reach finishing weight, they are provided with finisher feed which is high in energy and designed to add more fat to the pig's body.
Question 19 Report
The practice of placing the correct number of seeds in the soil with definite intra-row and inter-row spacing is called
Question 20 Report
The most common way of controlling weeds in tree crop plantations is by
Answer Details
Weed control is essential for the healthy growth of trees in plantations. One of the most common ways to control weeds in tree crop plantations is by slashing. Slashing involves using a machete or a special tool to cut down the weeds at their base. This method is effective because it cuts off the weed's supply of nutrients and light, which eventually leads to their death. Slashing is relatively inexpensive and does not require the use of harmful chemicals that could be dangerous to the environment or human health. It is also less labor-intensive compared to hand-pulling weeds, especially in large plantations.
Question 21 Report
The diagram below illustrates the digestive system of a farm animal. Use it to answer this question.
Digestion of fats takes place in the part labelled
Question 22 Report
A difference between physical and chemical weathering is that
Answer Details
Physical weathering and chemical weathering are two different processes that break down rocks into smaller particles. Physical weathering breaks down rocks into smaller pieces without altering the chemical composition of the rock, while chemical weathering changes the composition of rocks by altering the minerals or chemicals that make up the rock. Therefore, the correct answer is: "the mineral composition of rock is changed in chemical weathering."
Question 23 Report
The main factors responsible for rock weathering in the desert are high temperature and
Question 24 Report
Which of the following statements about silage are true?
I. It has a laxative effect
II. is acidic in reaction.
III. has a strong aroma when well prepared
Answer Details
Question 27 Report
The gross profit of a farm business is the farm's
Answer Details
The gross profit of a farm business is the total revenue generated by the farm from its sales minus the total cost of production. It represents the amount of money left over after deducting all direct costs associated with producing and selling the goods, before taking into account any overhead or indirect costs. Therefore, the correct answer is "total sales less cost of production."
Question 28 Report
Question 29 Report
Soil-borne diseases could be controlled in the nursery by
Answer Details
Soil-borne diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms that are present in the soil. These diseases can infect seedlings in the nursery and cause significant damage to crops. To control soil-borne diseases in the nursery, it is important to take preventive measures. One of the effective ways to control soil-borne diseases in the nursery is through heat treatment. Heat treatment involves exposing the soil to high temperatures to kill off the pathogenic microorganisms. Another method is to use sterilized soil or a soil-less growing medium, which can help prevent the buildup of disease-causing organisms. Providing proper drainage and ventilation in the nursery can also help to prevent the buildup of moisture, which can create conditions that are conducive to the growth of pathogens. Finally, good hygiene practices such as regularly cleaning tools and equipment used in the nursery can help prevent the spread of soil-borne diseases.
Question 30 Report
Decomposition of soil organic matter is mainly caused by
Answer Details
Decomposition of soil organic matter is mainly caused by bacteria. Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that are ubiquitous in soil and are responsible for breaking down complex organic matter into simpler forms. They play a vital role in the cycling of nutrients in soil ecosystems. When organic matter is added to soil, bacteria break down the complex molecules into smaller molecules such as sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids, which can then be used by plants for growth and development. Bacteria also help to release nutrients from organic matter into the soil, making them available for plant uptake. Without bacteria, organic matter would accumulate in the soil and become unavailable for plant growth.
Question 31 Report
The diagram below illustrates a tool used to analyse a soil sample in an experiment. Use it to answer this question.
The diameter of the soil particle that would be retained in the part labelled II is
Answer Details
The tool in the diagram is a sieve, and the part labelled II is the mesh size of the sieve. The mesh size determines the diameter of the soil particle that can pass through it. So, the diameter of the soil particle that would be retained in the part labelled II is the size range of the mesh, which is 0.02 - 0.2 mm. Therefore, the answer is the second option: 0.02 - 0.2 mm.
Question 32 Report
The main reason for castrating farm animals is to
Answer Details
Castration is the surgical removal or destruction of the testicles of male farm animals, such as bulls, rams, and boars. The main reason for castrating farm animals is to make them sterile, that is, unable to reproduce. This is often done to control breeding, reduce aggression, and improve meat quality. Castrated animals also tend to grow faster and produce leaner meat, which is why it can indirectly lead to increased meat production. The removal of the testicles also causes a reduction in testosterone levels, which can lead to a decrease in male odour and potentially result in a loss of weight.
Question 33 Report
Monocotyledonous crops include
Answer Details
Monocotyledonous crops are plants that have one cotyledon (seed leaf) in their embryo. Some common examples of monocotyledonous crops include rice, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum, sugarcane, bamboo, and grasses like Bermuda and Bluegrass. Therefore, the correct option from the given choices is "oil palm, rice, and plantain".
Question 34 Report
The diagram below illustrates a farm implement. Use it to answer this question.
The illustrated farm implement i used for
Answer Details
Question 35 Report
The diagram below illustrates a farm implement. Use it to answer this question.
The function of the part labelled II is to
Answer Details
Question 36 Report
The table below illustrates a farm record for Goodness Farms in the year 1970. Use it to answer this question.
| DATE | NUMBER OF HENS |
TOTAL EGGS COLLECTED |
TOTAL EGGS SOLD |
| 4th June | 362 | 176 | 96 |
| 5th June | 360 | 199 | 108 |
| 6th June | 360 | 177 | 48 |
The table illustrates
Answer Details
The table illustrates a production record for Goodness Farms in the year 1970. This is because it records the number of hens on the farm and the total eggs collected and sold over a period of three days. A production record is used to keep track of the amount of output or yield produced on a farm within a specific period. Therefore, this table is an example of a production record because it records the number of eggs produced and sold within a specific period.