WAEC SSCE - Agricultural Science - 2017
Question 1 Report
The demand for agricultural produce is generally
Answer Details
The demand for agricultural produce is generally considered to be inelastic, which means that a change in price does not greatly affect the quantity demanded. This is because, in many cases, people need to buy food regardless of its price, and they may not have many alternative options. For example, if the price of wheat increases, people may still need to buy bread, so they will continue to purchase wheat even though it is now more expensive.
Question 2 Report
A farming in which different types of crops are grown in quick succession, in a definite order on the same piece of land is termed
Answer Details
The farming method you're describing is called "crop rotation". It's when farmers grow different types of crops in a specific order, one after the other, on the same piece of land. The idea behind crop rotation is that different crops have different nutrient needs and can also leave different nutrients in the soil. So, by alternating crops, farmers can avoid depleting the soil of specific nutrients and also help to control pests and diseases. For example, one year a farmer may grow corn, which is a heavy feeder that depletes the soil of nitrogen. The next year, they might grow beans, which actually adds nitrogen back to the soil. Then, the following year, they could grow wheat or another crop that doesn't require as much nitrogen. This way, the soil remains healthy and productive. Crop rotation has been practiced for thousands of years and is still used by farmers today as a sustainable and effective farming method.
Question 3 Report
Inhibition of root and fruit formation are deficiency symptoms of
Answer Details
The deficiency symptom that can inhibit both root and fruit formation is a lack of phosphorus in the plant's soil. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in a plant's growth and development. It helps in the formation of strong roots and stimulates the growth of fruits and flowers. When a plant lacks sufficient phosphorus, it can lead to stunted root growth and poor fruit development. In contrast, nitrogen is required for leaf and stem growth, while iron is necessary for chlorophyll synthesis, which gives leaves their green color. Chlorine is important for photosynthesis, but its deficiency symptoms typically manifest as yellowing or wilting of leaves, rather than affecting root and fruit formation.
Question 4 Report
The correct sequence of pre-planting operations in
Answer Details
The correct sequence of pre-planting operations is: clearing, stumping, ploughing, and harrowing. 1. Clearing: This step involves removing any weeds, bushes, or trees from the area where the crops will be planted. This ensures that the soil is free of any obstacles that might interfere with the planting process. 2. Stumping: After clearing, the remaining tree stumps are removed from the soil using a stump grinder or other methods. This helps to level the field and prepare the soil for the next step. 3. Ploughing: In this step, the soil is turned over using a plough. This helps to break up the soil and mix in any organic matter, such as compost or manure, to improve soil fertility. 4. Harrowing: The final step involves using a harrow to break up any clumps of soil, creating a smooth and even surface for planting. This also helps to mix in any added fertilizer, ensuring that it is evenly distributed throughout the soil. By following this sequence, the soil is properly prepared for planting, providing the best conditions for crop growth and development.
Question 5 Report
Above is the illustration of farm implements. The part which makes horizontal cuts into the soil and uproots weeds is labelled as
Question 6 Report
The parts labelled I, II and III of the farm animal parasite above form the
Answer Details
The part labelled I is the "scolex", the part labelled II is the "rostellum", and the part labelled III is the "sucker". Together, these parts form the "head" or anterior end of the parasite, known as the "scolex". The scolex is the part of the parasite that attaches to the host's intestinal wall, while the rostellum and sucker are specialized structures that help the parasite attach and feed on the host's blood or nutrients. The proglottide, on the other hand, is a segment of the tapeworm's body that contains reproductive organs and develops behind the scolex.
Question 7 Report
Flood irrigation is used for the cultivation of
Answer Details
Flood irrigation is used for the cultivation of crops like swamp rice. This type of irrigation involves flooding a field with water and allowing it to slowly drain. The field stays submerged for a certain period of time, providing water and nutrients to the rice plants. This method is commonly used in low-lying areas where rice is grown and water is abundant. The flooded field also helps to control weeds and pests, making it an effective and efficient way to grow rice in these conditions.
Question 8 Report
Which of the following practices is not a way of maintaining ornamental plants?
Answer Details
The practice that is not a way of maintaining ornamental plants is "harvesting." Harvesting is the process of collecting crops from plants after they have matured. However, ornamental plants are usually grown for their beauty and not for consumption. Therefore, there is usually no need to harvest them. On the other hand, pruning is important for the overall health and appearance of ornamental plants. Weeding is necessary to remove unwanted plants that compete for resources and nutrients with ornamental plants. Watering is important to keep the plants hydrated, and it is essential to the survival and growth of ornamental plants. Therefore, the correct answer is "harvesting."
Question 9 Report
Heat treatment of oil palm seeds before sowing helps to
Answer Details
Heat treatment of oil palm seeds before sowing is known to break the embryo dormancy. Dormancy is a period of inhibited growth that helps the seed to survive adverse environmental conditions. However, it can also prevent the seed from germinating even under favorable conditions. Applying heat to the seed allows it to overcome this dormancy and initiate growth. Breaking the dormancy allows the embryo to start using the stored nutrients in the seed, mobilizing them for growth. This helps in the early establishment of the seedling and improves its chances of survival. Heat treatment can also help to improve disease resistance by killing or removing pathogens that may be present on the seed surface or inside the seed. However, heat treatment does not harden the mesocarp, which is the fleshy outer layer of the fruit surrounding the seed. The mesocarp does not play a significant role in seed germination or early seedling growth.
Question 10 Report
If rows of crops are spaced 1.0m apart with one seed sown per stand, determine the spacing between stands to obtain a plant population of 40,000 plants per hectare.
Answer Details
To determine the spacing between stands to obtain a plant population of 40,000 plants per hectare, we first need to understand the definition of plant population. Plant population is the number of plants per unit area. In this case, the desired plant population is 40,000 plants per hectare. If the rows of crops are spaced 1.0m apart with one seed sown per stand, then the distance between the plants within a row is not important for determining the plant population per hectare. We can calculate the number of plants per hectare as follows: 40,000 plants/ha = (10,000 m²/ha) x (1 row/1.0 m) x (1 stand/x) Solving for x, we get: x = (10,000 m²/ha) / (40,000 plants/ha) = 0.25 m/stand Therefore, the spacing between stands required to obtain a plant population of 40,000 plants per hectare is 0.25 meters. Hence, the correct answer is 0.25m.
Question 12 Report
Which of the following pairs of diseases attack coffee?
Answer Details
The pair of diseases that attack coffee plants is rust and leaf spot. Rust is a fungal disease that appears as yellow-orange spots on the underside of coffee leaves, which can then spread to the upper side of the leaves. Rust can weaken coffee plants and reduce the yield of coffee cherries. Leaf spot is another fungal disease that affects coffee plants. It causes dark spots on the leaves, which can turn yellow or brown over time. Leaf spot can also weaken the coffee plant and reduce the yield of coffee cherries. Mosaic and smut are diseases that do not typically affect coffee plants. Mosaic is a viral disease that affects many crops, including tobacco and maize. Smut is a fungal disease that commonly affects corn, wheat, and sugarcane. Ridge is a bacterial disease that can affect potato plants. Therefore, in summary, the pair of diseases that attack coffee plants are rust and leaf spot.
Question 13 Report
Which of the following agents is not associated with chemical weathering?
Answer Details
The agent that is not associated with chemical weathering is pressure. Chemical weathering is the breakdown or decomposition of rocks and minerals caused by chemical reactions with substances such as water, oxygen, and acids. Oxidation is the process where oxygen reacts with a substance and changes its chemical composition, resulting in the breakdown of rocks and minerals. Hydrolysis is the process where water reacts with minerals and rocks and causes them to break down. Carbonation is a chemical reaction where carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which can dissolve minerals in rocks, resulting in their breakdown. However, pressure is a physical weathering agent that causes rocks to break down through physical forces, such as compression or tension, rather than chemical reactions. Examples of physical weathering agents include water, wind, and ice. These agents can cause rocks to break down into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition. Therefore, pressure is not associated with chemical weathering, but rather with physical weathering.
Question 14 Report
Which of the following methods of plant propagation is limited to plants which root easily?
Answer Details
Question 15 Report
A social factor which affects land availability and use is
Answer Details
The social factor that affects land availability and use is the culture of the people. Culture refers to the way of life of a group of people, including their beliefs, customs, and traditions. Different cultures have different practices regarding land ownership, land use, and land distribution. For example, in some cultures, land is communal and is owned by the community as a whole, while in other cultures, land is privately owned and passed down through families. These cultural practices can affect the availability of land for different uses such as agriculture, housing, and recreation. In some cultures, land is primarily used for agricultural purposes, while in others, it may be used for commercial or residential purposes. The culture of the people can also influence the types of crops that are grown, the methods of farming that are used, and the ways in which the land is managed and conserved. Therefore, understanding the cultural practices of a community is crucial in determining how land is used and made available for different purposes.
Question 17 Report
The branch of agriculture which deals with the production of fruits is called
Answer Details
The branch of agriculture which deals with the production of fruits is called pomology. Pomology is the study and cultivation of fruit trees and fruits including apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, and citrus. Pomologists work to improve fruit quality, yield, and disease resistance. They also develop new varieties of fruit trees that are more resistant to pests and diseases, and can tolerate different climates and soil types. In summary, pomology is the study and cultivation of fruits, and it is a branch of agriculture that focuses on the production of fruit crops.
Question 18 Report
A breeding method which involves the production of heterozygous populations from homozygous lines is
Answer Details
Question 19 Report
Which of the following statements is not a problem associated with land tenure system through inheritance?
Answer Details
The statement that is not a problem associated with land tenure system through inheritance is "Family members have right to free use of land." Explanation: Land tenure system through inheritance has its own set of problems, but the right to free use of land by family members is not one of them. In fact, it is a common practice in many societies that family members have free use of the land that they inherit. The other three options are problems associated with land tenure system through inheritance. Family members having small land holdings can result in fragmentation of land, which reduces the efficiency of farming. Non-family members not being able to inherit land can lead to social inequality and exclusion of certain groups. Farm mechanization being restricted can limit the use of modern farming technologies and decrease productivity.
Question 20 Report
A farmland measures 50m x 50m. Determine its area in hectares.
Answer Details
To determine the area of a farmland in hectares, we first need to calculate its area in square meters. A farmland that measures 50m x 50m has an area of 50m x 50m = 2500m^2. Next, we need to convert square meters to hectares. One hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. To convert square meters to hectares, we divide the number of square meters by 10,000. So, 2500m^2 / 10,000 = 0.25 hectares. Therefore, the area of the farmland is 0.25 hectares.
Question 21 Report
In the diagram above which shows the digestive tract for a certain farm animal, which of the following enzymes is not secreted by the part labelled III?
Answer Details
The part labelled III in the diagram refers to the small intestine, which is responsible for the majority of nutrient absorption. The small intestine produces several enzymes to help digest food, including amylase, lipase, and trypsin. Pepsin is not produced in the small intestine (part III). Pepsin is actually produced in the stomach (part II) and is responsible for breaking down proteins into smaller peptides. Once the food is mixed with gastric juices in the stomach, it enters the small intestine where other enzymes take over the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients. Therefore, the correct answer is Pepsin.
Question 22 Report
In the carbon cycle, carbon dioxide is used by crops for
Answer Details
Carbon dioxide is used by crops for photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce energy in the form of glucose and release oxygen into the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide taken in by the plants is used to build the organic molecules that make up their structure and energy reserves, such as sugars and starches. In this way, plants serve as carbon sinks, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and incorporating it into their biomass. Therefore, carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in the growth and survival of crops and other plants.
Question 23 Report
Agricultural extension teaching methods are classified on the basis of
Answer Details
Question 24 Report
A farmer collects 800 eggs from a laying stock of 1,200 birds per day. Determine the laying percentage of the birds
Answer Details
To determine the laying percentage of the birds, we need to find the proportion of eggs laid by each bird in a day. If we divide the total number of eggs collected (800) by the number of birds (1,200), we get the average number of eggs per bird in a day: 800 eggs ÷ 1,200 birds = 0.67 eggs per bird To convert this to a percentage, we can multiply by 100: 0.67 eggs per bird × 100 = 67% laying percentage Therefore, the laying percentage of the birds is 67%.
Question 25 Report