Question 5
(a) Explain each of the following terms in animal nutrition:
- balanced diet;
- maintenance ration;
- production ration;
- nalnutrition. [8 marks]
(b) State six effects of malnutrition on farm animals. [6 marks]
(c) Mention four nursery practices in the production of tomato. [4 marks]
Observation
Question 5 was quite popular among candidates and performance was above average. However, many candidates defined the terms in animal nutrition in Question 5(a) instead of explaining them; thus losing marks. Furthermore, some candidates misconstrued nursery practices in tomato production with post-planting operations in crop production.
The expected answers include:
5. (a) Explanation of terms in animal nutrition
(i) Balanced diet
- A balanced diet is a diet that contains all the essential nutrients in the right quantity and quality for livestock feeding
- The essential nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water
(ii) Maintenance ration
- This is the ration fed to farm animals in order to maintain normal functioning
of the body system
- Maintains animals’ body weight
- Supplied to non-productive animals
(iii) Production ration
- This refers to the ration fed to farm animals to enable them produce animal products
e.g. meat, milk, eggs.
- Supplies nutrients above maintenance ration.
(iv) Malnutrition
- Malnutrition is a condition in which an animal shows evidence of nutritional
deficiency
- Malnutrition occurs when a ration does not supply all the essential nutrients in
the right proportion and quality
(b) Effects of malnutrition on farm animals
- Reduces productivity - Reduction in quality of animal products
- Causes diseases e.g. ketosis - Reduces resistance to diseases
- Loss of appetite/poor appetite - Fatigue
- Slow growth - Reproductive failure
- Could lead to death - Haemorrhage
- Anaemia - Physical deformity
- Poor appearance - Loss of weight/emaciation
- Dullness - Stunted growth - Nervousness
(c) Nursery practices in tomato production
- Watering/irrigation - Rogueing - Shading - Fertilizer application/manuring - Thinning - Pest control
- Pricking-out - Sowing of seeds
- Disease control - Weeding
- Preparation of nursery seedbeds/seed trays/ seed boxes