Question

4(a) A farmer intends to cultivate sorghum on a farmland measuring 300 m by 150 m at a seed rate of 60 kg per hectare. If sorghum requires NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer at the rate of 20 kg per hectare, calculate the: (i) area of farmland in hectares; (ii) quantity of sorghum seeds required for planting; (iii) quantity of fertilizer required.
(b)(i) State two differences between budding and grafting in vegetative propagation. (ii) Mention four crops that could be propagated by budding.
(c) Name two groups of farm animals each that should be fed with: (i) production ration; (ii) maintenance ration.

Accepted Answer

(a)(i) Area of farmland = Length x Breadth = 300m x 150m = 45,000 sq.m. Since 1 ha = 10,000 sq.m, area = 45,000/10,000 = 4.5 ha.
(ii) Quantity of sorghum seeds required = Seed rate x Area = 60 kg/ha x 4.5 ha = 270 kg.
(iii) Quantity of fertilizer required = Fertilizer rate x Area = 20 kg/ha x 4.5 ha = 90 kg.

(b)(i) Budding uses a small bud as scion, with a T-shaped or inverted T-shaped cut commonly made on the stock, commonly done during the active growing season of the stock, and the stock and scion do not need to be of the same age/size for successful budding. Grafting uses part of a stem/branch as scion, with a slant or V-shaped cut commonly made on both the stock and scion, usually performed when the stock is dormant e.g. during harmattan, and the stock and scion should be of approximately the same age/size for successful grafting.
(ii) Crops propagated by budding: Citrus/named citrus; Cherry; Cashew; Avocado pear; Mango; Almond; Cocoa Apple; Ornamental plants; Rubber; Tea; Peach (any four).

(c)(i) Production ration: Pregnant animals; Weaned animals; Layers; Broilers; New born animals; Breeding males/females; Fatteners; Growers; Wool producing sheep; Beef cattle; Dairy cow/lactating animals (any two).
(ii) Maintenance ration: Spent layers; Old animals; Culled animals; Dry cows; Non-lactating animals; Non-breeders (any two).

WAEC Agricultural Science 2024 Theory — Question 4

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