Observation

   This question was fairly attempted by the candidates.  In 3(a), most of the candidates could not discuss the cultivation of cowpea under soil requirement and spacing, though they were able to mention the method of propagation. Also, most of them were able to name disease and field pests of cowpea as required in 3(b). Further to this, most of the candidates could not state cultural methods of controlling pests as required in 3(c), but majority of them were able to state human activities that promote deforestation in West Africa as required in 3(d). However, most of them could not describe alley cropping and ley farming as required in 3(e).

The expected answers include:

3(a)      Description of cowpea cultivation       
(i) Soil requirement
Requires sandy loam soil

(iii) Spacing
20 – 30cm within rows x 75 – 100cm between rows

(c)       Cultural methods of controlling crop pests

-        Controlled burning
-        Early planting
-        Early harvesting
-         Weeding
-         Crop rotation
-       Flooding
-       Adequate spacing
-       Drainage
-       Pruning
-       Planting pest-free crops
-       Appropriate tillage operation
-       Planting pest-tolerant varieties of crop

(e)    Description of agro forestry practices
(i) Alley cropping
This involves planting of leguminous trees that are wide apart as to allow the growing
of strips of arable crops within the rows of trees

(ii) Ley farming
This is the practice of alternating arable crop production with the growing of forage                             
crops at different periods of time on a piece of land