Observation

 

This question was fairly popular among candidates.
(a) Few candidates could not draw and describe the life cycle of yam beetle.
(b) Majority of the candidates performed satisfactorily in Question 4 (b).
(c) Majority of the candidates were unable to highlight the differences between sprinkler and basin irrigation.
The expected answers include:

- The adult female lays eggs in riverine areas around November to December
- Eggs hatch into larvae which feed on decaying organic matter
- The larvae undergo three moulting stages before becoming pupae
- The pupae then moult to give rise to the adults

 

b)(i)Distinction between pre-planting operations and post-planting operations in crop production
Pre-planting operations are cultural practices/activities/operations that are carried out before planting/sowing
Whereas,br> Post-planting operations are cultural practices/activities/operations that are carried out after planting/sowing till harvesting.

 

(c) (ii) Pre-planting and post-planting operations in crop production
Pre-planting operations
- Site selection
- Clearing
- Controlled burning
- Stumping
- Ploughing
- Harrowing/pulverization
- Ridging/making heaps/beds/mounds
- Soil sterilization

Post-planting operations
- Supplying
- Thinning
- Weeding
- Rogueing
- Hardening
- Mulching
- Staking
- Harvesting
- Capping
- Pruning
- Irrigation
- Drainage
- Pest control
- Disease control
- Fertilizer application
- Pricking out

- Reseeding
- Shading

 

(c) Differences between sprinkler and basin irrigation

Sprinkler irrigation	Basin irrigation
-Is an overhead irrigation system	-Is a surface irrigation system
-Water is applied into the air by sprinklers	-Water is applied into levelled area of land enclosed by dykes
-Can be used on a steep slope	- Requires a levelled area of land
-Requires the installation of pipe network	-Requires the construction of ditches and Dykes