Question 4
(a) Distinguish between spacing and thinning in crop production. (2 marks)
(b) Discuss the cultivation of oil palm under the following headings:
(i) botanical name; (ii) two varieties; (iii) method of propagation; (iv) soil requirement; (v) spacing on the field; (vi) two varieties. (8 marks)
(c) Enumerate six ways in which forest resources are important to the economy of West Africa. (6 marks)
(d) What is apiculture? (2 marks)
Observation
Question 4 was popular among candidates although many failed to use conjunction or table to distinguish between spacing and thinning. In addition, most candidates did not follow the scientific convention in writing the botanical name for oil palm, thereby losing marks.
The expected answers include:
4. (a) Distinguishing between spacing and thinning in crop production
Spacing is the distance given between one stand of crop and another
While
Thinning is the removal of excess seedlings of plants per stand.
(b) Discussion on the cultivation of oil palm
(i) Botanical name
- Elaeis guineensis
(ii) Varieties
- Dura
- Tenera
- Pisifera
(iii) Method of propagation
- By seeds
(iv) Soil requirement
- Loamy soil, rich in organic matter
- Slightly acidic soil
(v) Spacing on the field
- 9m x 9m x 9m in a triangular form
(vi) Diseases
- Anthracnose
- Freckle
- Algal spot
- Galadema/Ganoderma
- Blast
- Brown germ
- Red ring disease
- Orange spotting -
Vascular wilt
- Necrotic spot
(c) Ways in which forest resources are important to the economy of West Africa
- Provide food such as fruits, bush meat and vegetables
- Provide pulp for paper production
- Provide wood used for planks and furniture
- Provide trees (timber) which generate revenue and foreign exchange
- Provide employment for forest guards and those involved in lumbering
- Forest trees serve as windbreaks thereby preventing wind erosion and desert encroachment
- Source of fuel wood for domestic use
- Source of medicinal herbs used by local healers and pharmaceutical industries
- Source of raw materials for industries e.g. gum, resins, dyes, fibre and ropes
- Provide home to wild life
- Increase soil fertility through the decomposition of leaves of plants and help to enhance the growth and activities of soil microbes
- Have a cooling effect on the environment
- Serve as tourist centres
- Forest trees planted around homes, industries and offices help to beautify the environment
- Help in the purification of air by removing carbondioxide and adding oxygen to the atmosphere during photosynthesis
- Forests help to improve soil structure
- Water shed protection
- Source of income to individuals
(d) Meaning of apiculture
Apiculture is the art of domesticating bees for the production of honey and wax.