Agriculture Paper 3, WASSCE (SC), 2021

Question 3

    (a) Give the botanical names of specimens H, I and J.   [3 marks]
    (b) State the method of propagation of each of specimens H, I, J.    [3 marks]
    (c) Mention five characteristics of specimen H.     [5 marks]
    (d) State four uses of specimen I.    [4 marks]

Observation

Although many candidates could state the methods of propagating Centrosema, elephant grass and tropical kudzu, they did not follow scientific nomenclature in the botanical names of the specimens; thus losing marks.

The expected answers include:
(a)   Botanical names of specimens H (Centrosema), I (Elephant grass) and J (Tropical kudzu)

  H (Centrosema)     -  Centrosema pubescens
 I (Elephant grass)  -  Pennisetum purpureum 
J (Tropical kudzu) Pueraria phaseoloides                                         

(b)  Methods of propagation of specimens H, I and J
               H (Centrosema)      -  Seeds
               I (Elephant grass)   -  Stolons/stem cuttings/seeds 
J (Tropical kudzu)  -  Seeds           
(c)   Characteristics of specimen H (Centrosema)
-    It is a vigorous and aggressive growing legume                                   
-    It is a creeping and twining plant
-    Has trifoliate leaves  
-    It is a perennial plant
-    Drought resistant
-    Tolerant of shade
-    It is highly nodulated
-    Palatable to animals                                                                  

       (d)   Uses of specimen I (Elephant grass)
-    For feeding livestock
-    For roofing
-    Used as bedding materials in livestock pens
-    It is planted to conserve soil moisture
-    Used to control soil erosion       
-    For making fence
-    Serves as a trap plant to control stem borer
-    Used as medicine in the treatment of some ailments e.g. eye problem
-    Used for making mat

    -    Used as firewood