Observation

 

This question was fairly popular among the candidates. However, many candidates misconstrued Question 2 (b)(ii) and were mentioning types of pollution e.g. air pollution, water pollution e.t.c.
The expected answers include:
2. (a) Discussion on the cultivation of groundnut

(ii) Method of propagation
- By seeds

(iii) Spacing
- 65 cm x 15 cm
- 90 cm x 25 cm

(iv) Diseases
- Rosette disease
- Tikka disease
- Aspergillosis
- Fusarium wilt

(v) Harvesting
- Harvesting is done when the leaves turn yellow/brown and start shedding
- Pods are ready for harvesting 90 - 150 days after planting
- Harvesting is done manually or mechanically by uprooting the plant

(vi) Storage facilities
- Rhumbus - Silo
- Sack/bag - Basket
- Bin/hermetic/airtight container

 

b) (i) Meaning of agricultural pollution
Agricultural pollution refers to the contamination or degradation of environment and surrounding ecosystem by biotic and abiotic by-products of farming activities.

(ii) Sources of agricultural pollution
  - Fertilizers
- Livestock waste
- Marine and oil spillage
- Toxic waste
- Industrial waste/effluents
- Sewage disposal
- Exhaust fumes from machines/vehicles
- Agrochemicals/pesticides/herbicides

 

(c) Side effects of chemical control method of pests on the farm
- Some beneficial insects and soil organisms may be destroyed
- The chemical used may be toxic to man and domestic animals
- It may leave undesirable residue in the environment
- Pests may develop resistance to chemicals
- Some chemicals may contaminate aquatic life and cause pollution
- Empty containers could be source of poisoning when used as containers for consumables