This question was not popular among the candidates and those who attempted it didnot perform well.  In 2(a), most of the candidates could not explain farmstead and secondary tillage.  In 2(b-c), majority of the candidates could neither state the functions of the parts of a mouldboard plough nor describe the natural process that takes carbon away from the atmosphere.  Though, most of them could outline ways of replenishing plant nutrients in the soil but they could not state the deficiency symptoms of calcium in crops as required in 2(d) and (e) respectively.  But in 2(f), most of them could list soil organisms.

The expected answers include:

2(a)Explanation of the terms

• Farmstead

Farmstead refers to a farm house and all its production and processing structures
OR
Farmstead is the farmer’s dwelling place and production centre.                 

• Secondary tillage

This involves breaking/loosening/pulverizing soil clods to obtain a fine tilth with the aid of implements such as harrow, ridger, cultivator etc.

(b)Function of the parts of a mouldboard plough
(i)   Hitch
 -   serves as the point of attachment to the tractor/work animal
(ii)    Furrow wheel

• Used for stabilising the rear end of the plough
• Guides the direction of the plough and mouldboard

• Disc coulter

          -  makes vertical cut/furrow in soil ahead of the plough

(iv)     Plough share
-   provides the cutting edge for the mouldboard plough
            -   makes horizontal soil cuts

(v)      Mouldboard
            -   used for the inversion of furrow slice/weeds

( c) Description of natural process that takes carbon from the atmosphere

-    The process is photosynthesis

- It is the process whereby green plants make use of carbon(iv)oxide and water to
manufacture their food using the energy derived from the sun   

(e)   Deficiency symptoms of calcium in crops

•  Stunting of the root system
•  Weak slender plants
• Appearance of pale yellow colour in leaves
• Death of terminal buds
• Leaf tips become gelatinous