KCSE Past Papers 2019 Agriculture Paper 1 (443/1)

I. Name four aspects of rain fall that affects agriculture. (2 marks)

• Rainfall intensity

• Rainfall distribution/pattern

• Rainfall amount

• Rainfall reliability

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• 2. State four factors that determine the depth of cultivation. (2 marks)
  

• The type ot crop to be grown

• Type of implement used

• Soil moisture content

• Presence of hard pans

• Presence of underground obstacles

• Type of soil

• feed material eaten by the Animal3. State four factors that influence the quality of farmyard manure.(2 marks)
  

• Species of the Animal

• Type of bedding material/litter used

• Method of storage

• Age of the farm yard manure

• Age of the Animal which produces the waste materials

• Type of animal

• Per capita income4. State two factors that determine national income.(1 marks)
  

• Gross domestic product

• Gross national product

• Household firm relationship

• Natural resource endowment

• Shifting cultivation5. State four causes of land fragmentation. (2 marks)
  

• Inheritance of land

• Population pressure leading to purchase of small scattered pieces.

• Accumulation of land holdings by money lenders due to debtors failing to pay

• Settlement and resettlement6. Name two types of labour records.(2 marks)
  

• Muster roll

• Labour utilization analysis

• Storage pests7. State four ways in which crop pests are classified.(2 marks)
  

• Field pests

• Biting and chewing pests

• Piercing and sucking pests

• Rodents

• Insect pests

• Scientific classification

• Stage of development

• Stage of growth of the crop attacked8. What is the minimum number of people required to form a co-operative society in Kenya? (½ marks)
  

• Ten people9. Give two examples of fixed costs in maize production. (1 marks)
  

• Salaries of permanent workers

• Insurance

• Rent

• Standing charges of telephone

• Depreciation cost of farm machinery

• Cost of buying machinery10. What is meant by the term production function? (1 marks)
  

• It is the physical relationship between resource inputs and the corresponding output/product.11. State three characteristics of good trees for agroforestry.(1½ marks)
  

• Fast growth rates

• Deep rooted

• Nitrogen fixing

• Good in by product production

• Leafy

• Highly branched

• Hardy12. Name two varieties of sorghum grown in Kenya.(1 marks)
  

• Serena

• Dobbs

• Intama

• Humid

• Lulu13. State four reasons why agriculture is important to Kenya’s economy.(2 marks)
  

• Source of food

• Source of employment

• Provision of raw materials for industries Provide market for industrial goods

• Source of income14. Give two reasons why the use of fire is discouraged in land clearing.(1 marks)
  

• It kills soil micro-organisms

• Leads to loss of nutrients

• Destroys soil organic matter

• Leads to accumulation of ash that changes soil pH

• Destroys soil moisture

• Destroys soil structure15. State four ways in which mulching conserves water.(2 marks)
  

• Prevents splash erosion/intercepts rain drops Reduces speed of surface run offs

• Reduces evaporation

• Increases water holding capacity

• Improves water infiltration16. State four uses of fault records.(2 marks)
  

• Records help to compare the performance o1 different enterprises within a farm or other farms.

• They show the history of the farm.

• Guide a farmer in planning and budgeting of farm operations

• Help to detect losses or theft on the farm.

• Help in the assessment of income tax to avoid over or under taxation

• Help to determine the value of farm or to determine the assets and liabilities of the farm.

• Make it easy to share the profits and losses in partnerships

• Help in settling disputes among heirs to the estate when a farmer dies without leaving a will.

• Record help to show whether the farm business is making profits or losses.

• Help in insurance claims

• Provide labour information

• Help farmers to access credit17. State four characteristics of shifting cultivation.(2 marks)
  

• Movement/shifting when soil loses its fertility

• Practiced where land is plenty

• Practicable with annual crops not with perennials

• Agricultural output is low

• Inputs such as pesticides, fungicides are rarely used

• Simple hand tools are used

• Land communally owned

• Population is sparse

• Low number of livestock per unit area18. State the law of supply as used in agricultural marketing.(1 marks) As the price of a commodity increases the quantity offered for sale increases and as the price of commodity falls the quantity supplied declines. 19. State four ways in which trees improve soil productivity.(2 marks)
  

• Conserve moisture

• Improve soil structure

• Control soil erosion

• Contribute plant nutrients/organic matter

• Is a combination of chemical, physical, biological and cultural20. What is meant by the term integrated pest management? (2 marks) Pest control methods. Section B (20 MARKS) Answer all the questions in this section 21. The diagram below illustrate a tomato fruit infested by a field pest (a) Identify the pest. (1 mark)American-bollworms (b) State two ways in which the pest is economically important. (2 mark)
  

• Reduces the quality of produce by boring holes on fruits

• Increase the cost of production by purchase of pesticide(c) State two cultural ways of controlling the pest. (2 mark)
  

• Early planting

• Field hygiene/Removal and destruction of affected crop residues

• Plant Mexican marigold in the field

• Destruction of alternate host

• Close season Crop rotation

• Intercropping22. The diagram below shows a weed (a) Identify the weed. (1 mark)Nut grass/sedge/Cyperus rotundus (b) Using features on the diagram, give two reasons why it is difficult to eradicate the above weed. (2 marks)
  

• It has underground nuts which regenerate.

• Produces many seeds to enhance survival chances(c) State two ways in which the weed is economically important. (2 marks)
  

• Competes for nutrients with crops greatly reducing yield

• Increases production costs

• Reduces quality of pastures/can damage the teeth of livestock

• Blocks irrigation channels23. The diagram below represent soil structures (a) Identify the soil structure labelled M, N and P.

• M — Prismatic structure

• N — Platy structure

• P — Granular structure(b) Name the type of soil where each of the structures labelled N and Q is found.
  

• N — Clay soil

• Q — Sandy soil24, The diagram below shows an illustration of a crop field practice. (a) Identify the field practice illustrated above.(I mark)Earthing up; (b) Name two crops which require the practice illustrated.(2 mark)
  

• Groundnuts

• Potatoes

• Irish potatoes

• Sweet Potatoes

• Maize(c) Give two reasons for carrying out the practice on one of the crops you have named in (b) above. (2 marks)
  

• To improve tuber formation in Irish/sweet potato

• To encourage/improve seed formation in groundnuts

• To improve drainage and provide support in tobacco

• To provide support/prevent lodging in cereal crops like maize

• To prevent greening in root/ tuber crops;SECTION C (40 marks) Answer any two questions from this section 25. (a) Explain seven factors that should be considered when selecting seeds for planting. (7 marks)
  

• Adaptability — should be adapted to local ecological conditions

• Physical deformities/damages — should be free from physical deformities/damages Should be free from pests/diseases Viability/high germination percentage — should have high viability/ germination percentage

• Should be from high yielding/healthy plant early maturing

• Purity; should be clean/free from impurities

• Maturity; should be of correct maturity stage

• Age/storage period; seeds stored for long periods have low viability/germination percentage hence should not be selected

• Size of seeds; seeds should be of correct size(b) State four benefits of adequate and reliable rainfall in vegetable crop production. (4 marks)
  

• Ensures adequate supply of water to the crop Production/growing of vegetables is done throughout the year

• Controls pests in crop production

• Maximizes the utilization of available resources

• Increases yields and ensure a steady supply of food throughout the year

• Ensures a steady and reliable source of income and employment(c) State four pieces of information contained in an invoice.(4 marks)
  

• Date of the transaction

• Type of goods

• Quantity of goods

• Price of goods

• Total amount of money involved

• Invoice number

• Terms of payment

• Name of supplier

• Signature/stamp of supplier(d) State five roles of calcium in crop production.(5 marks)
  

• Calcium acetate strengthens plant cell wall

• Calcium is necessary in protein synthesis

• Promotes soil aggregate formation thus improving soil aeration, water infiltration and retention

• Calcium compounds when added to acidic soils they raise soil pH

• Increases cation exchange capacity

• Makes phosphorus and potassium available for plant uptake.

• Controls blossom end rot in tomatoes;26. (a) Describe how sugar cane is harvested.(5 marks)
  

• Harvest at the correct age 13 — 22 months for plant crops months for ratoon crop

• Take sugar cane samples for testing to determine maturity

• Cut the mature cane at the base/near the ground

• Cut off the green tops

• Strip off green leaves/using machete/bum before harvesting

• Deliver the cane to the factory within 48 hours/ immediately after cutting(b) Explain four factors that determine the nutrient content of hay.(4 marks)
  

• Stage of growth at harvesting time- cut when 50% has flowered

• Species of the forage crop used- rich in nutrients Duration of storage- long storage lowers the quality Weather conditions during drying- dry and sunny conditions produce high quality hay

• Length of drying period- rapid drying produces high quality Pest/disease attack on the crop- free from diseases

• Method of storage- store in a dry place under shade(c) State seven roles of a farm manager.(7 marks)
  

• Short term planning/making quick decisions in order to carry on t e activities in appropriate time and hence avoid a crisis

• Long term planning/making decisions which are linked to the future plans and operations on the farm

• Gathering and analyzing information related to the enterprises

• Detecting weaknesses and constraints and finding ways and means of overcoming them.

• Keeping farm records or accounts

• Guiding and supervising the farm management

• Bearing consequences/responsibility of plans/decisions

• Making predictions of the likely outcome of possible alternative courses of action

• Comparing ones enterprise with the set standards(d) Describe four methods used to reclaim a swampy land for agricultural production. (4 marks)
  

• Open ditches — U shaped, V-shaped, trapezoidal ditches are dug for excess water to flow away by gravity

• Underground drain pipes/perforated pipes are laid underground, excess water then seeps from the surrounding area into the pipes and flows to a water way

• French drains — ditches are dug, filled with stones and gravel and then covered with soil. Excess water from the surrounding area seeps into these drains and is carried away.

• Cambered beds — Raised beds are constructed to allow excess water to flow away in furrows.

• Pumping — is draining excess water from the swampy area using mechanical force.

• Planting of trees — e.g. Eucalyptus absorbs a lot of water from swampy areas.27. (a) Describe the production of carrots under the following subheadings: (i) land preparation (3 marks)
  

• land preparation

• Clear the bush/using a panga/slasher Remove stump

• Primary cultivation is done using jembe/ploughs

• Secondary cultivation/harrow to a fine tilth

• Avoid manure application to prevent forking(ii) planting (4 marks)
  

• Make drills 30cm apart and lcm deep

• Apply phosphates/DSP/DAP/MAP fertilizer during planting Sow seeds along the drills Cover with top soil

• Apply fertilizer at the rate of 90kg of DSP/DAP

• Plant at the onset of rains/when the soil has enough moisture

• Firm the soil after planting;(b) Describe six ways in which grass cover helps in soil and water conservation. (6 marks)
  

• Grass cover reduces the speed of run off which lowers the erosive power of run off

• Grass cover reduces/intercepts the impact of rain drops which reduces splash erosion

• Grass cover protects soil surface hence reducing wind erosion

• Gross cover holds soil particles together from being carried away by erosive agents The grass improves soil structure

• Grass cover improve infiltration rate of water

• Grass cover reduces the rate of evaporation of soil moisture.

• Grass filters trap soil(c) Explain seven nursery management practices. (7 marks)
  

• Mulching — A light mulch is applied on the nursery bed before seedlings emerge to conserve moisture and control erosion

• Watering — nursery bed is watered regularly in the morning and evening to ensure adequate water supply.

• Weed control- weeds are removed through uprooting to minimize competition with the crop

• Pricking out- overcrowded seedlings are removed and planted in a second nursery bed/seedling bed

• Shading — A light shade is erected over the nursery bed to protect young seedlings from excess sunlight/ rain drops that damage them.

• Pest and disease control - controlled through application of appropriate chemical/fungicides

• Hardening off — is gradual reduction of shade and watering 1 — 2 weeks before transplanting seedlings to acclimatize them to seed bed conditions

• Root trmming- cut at the tips to encourage lateral root development

• Application of foliar feed fertilizer to boost growth

• Removal of mulch after emergence to prevent etiolation