KNEC KCSE Agriculture Paper 1 Question Paper / 2015 KCSE Kericho West Joint Examination
SECTION A (30 Marks)
Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided
1.
Define opportunity cost.
1 marks
2.
Outline four factors that influence soil formation.
2 marks
3.
State five roles of agriculture in the Kenyan economy.
2.5 marks
4.
State three precautions taken during soil sampling.
1.5 marks
5.
State four characteristics of potassic fertilizers.
2 marks
6.
List four factors that determine the time of planting crops.
2 marks
7.
Differentiate between under sowing and oversowing.
2 marks
8.
Explain the following terms:
i) Propping (1 mark)
ii) Staking (1 mark)
2 marks
9.
State four factors that are considered in determining seed rate.
2 marks
10.
State two harmful effects of weeds in livestock production.
2 marks
11.
Give four reasons why drainage is used as a land reclamation method.
2 marks
12.
State four factors affecting the quality of farm yard manure.
2 marks
13.
Name four methods of fertilizer application in crops.
2 marks
14.
Give four advantages of mulching as used in crop production.
2 marks
15.
State four reasons for carrying out earthing up in crop production.
2 marks
16.
Outline four post-harvest practices in crop production.
2 marks
SECTION B (20 Marks)
Answer all the questions in this section in the space provided
17.
The diagram below illustrates a method used in propagating crops through layering.
a) Identify the method. (1 mark)
b) State two suitable characteristics of a mother plant that can be used in this method. (1 mark)
c) Outline two advantages of tissue culture as a method of crop propagation. (2 marks)
4 marks
18.
The illustrations below shows various types of weeds. Study them and answer the questions that follow.
a) Identify weed A and B . (1 mark)
b) Why is it difficult to control weed B? (1 mark)
c) State one disadvantage of weed labelled B. (1 mark)
d) Suggest two herbicides that can be used to control weed B. (1 mark)
4 marks
19.
a) A farmer was advised to apply 90kg of P2O5/ha in a field of tomatoes. The fertilizer available is DSP 40% P2O5. Calculate how much DSP the farmer will apply per hectare. (2 marks)
b) Outline the procedure used in soil sampling. (5 marks)
7 marks
20.
The line graph below shows the relationship between supply and demand of milk in a given town. Study it carefully and answer the questions that follow.
a) Explain what happens when the price of milk is Ksh 25 per litre. (1 mark)
b) From the above graph what conclusion can one make about the behaviour of demand for milk in relation to price
(2 marks)
c) From the graph what conclusion can one make about the behaviour of supply of milk in this town in relation to the price.
(2 marks)
5 marks
SECTION C (40 Marks)
Answer any two questions in this section.
21.
a) Discuss any cultural measures used to control pests on the farm. (10 marks)
b) Describe the production of onions under the following subheadings:
i) Field management (5 marks)
ii) Harvesting (5 marks)
20 marks
22.
a) Explain six physical methods that can be used to control crop pests on the farm. (6 marks)
b) Describe six management practices that should be carried out on a vegetable nursery after sowing seeds until the seedlings
are ready for transplanting. (6 marks)
c) Explain eight factors that can encourage soil erosion. (8 marks)
20 marks
23.
a) State and explain the various land tenure systems practised in Kenya. (10 marks)
b) State five importance of land preparation. (5 marks)
c) State five uses of farm records. (5 marks)
