Agriculture Paper 2, WASSCE (PC), 2016

Question 2

  1. (Define the term soil pH. [2 marks]
  2. List three materials used in correcting soil acidity. [3 marks]
  3. (c) Using a table, classify the following crops based on their uses: Cowpea, Amaranthus, Oil palm, Coconut, Cassava, Maize, Soya bean, Cocoa, Pepper and Plantain. [5 marks]
  4. (d) Give the botanical name of each of the following crops:

    - Cowpea;

    - Rubber;

    - Oil palm;

    - Yam;

    - Cocoa;

    [5 marks]

Observation

This question was popular among the candidates. In 2(a-c), most of the candidates were able to define the term soil pH, state the causes of soil acidity as well as list the materials used in correcting soil acidity.
However, most of them could neither classify the listed crops based on their uses nor give the correct botanical names of the listed crops as required in 2(d-e).         

The expected answers include:

2(d)    Classification of the crops based on their uses

Pepper could also be classified as a spice crop. Classification of Soya bean as oil crop is also correct.


2(e) Botanical names of the crops

  • (i) Cowpea: Vigna unguiculata
  • (ii) Rubber: Hevea brasiliensis
  • (iii) Oil palm: Elaeis guineensis
  • (iv) Yam: Dioscorea spp
  • (v) Cocoa: Theobroma cacao