KNEC KCSE Agriculture Paper 1 Question Paper / 2015 KCSE Tharaka South Joint Examination

Give four types of livestock farming.

State four advantages of mixed farming.

Name four types of agricultural services available to farmer.

State TWO precautions to be observed in soil sampling.

State FOUR objectives of land tenure reforms.

State FOUR stages of land adjudication and registration.

a) Define opportunity cost. (1 mark)
b) Give two types of labour records (2 marks)

Name FOUR processes involved in chemical weathering.

State four importance of drainage in farming.

Give four ways in controlling river bank erosion.

State four effects of solifluction.

State four reasons for minimum tillage.

a) Name two tractor implements for sub-soiling (1 mark)
b) Give two reasons for sub-soiling. (1 mark)

Name four factors that determine hay quality.

State four factors that are considered during the timing of planting.

Name two factors that affect the efficiency of pesticides.

Two garden soil samples A and B weighing 100gms each were set aside in a room for some hours. 50gms of water was added to sample A and then weighed. The weight was 148gms. Sample B (100gms) was heated in an over at 105°C until a constant weight of 95gms was achieved. When it was further heated at 400°C a constant weight of 92gms was achieved. This information is illustrated in the table below.
Soil sample Original weight Weight after addition of water Weight after heating at
100°C
Weight after further heating at
400°C
A 100gms 148gms
B 100gms 95gms 92gms
a) From the information above.
i) What is responsible for the loss of weight when 50gms of water was added to 100gms of soil? (1 mark)
ii) What was the percentage loss. (1 mark)
b) What was responsible for the loss when 100gms of soil was heated at 100°C (½ mark)
c) i) What caused the change in weight when the soil was continuously heated at 400°C from 100°C. (½ mark)
ii) Calculate the percentage loss in c(i) above. (1 mark)
d) State four effects of the substance that was lost in sample when it was heated at 400°C (2 marks)

The following diagram shows a branch of tea which can be used to provide a cutting for a tea production.

a) Which section of the branch labelled A, B, C is suitable for cutting? (1 mark)
b) Give a reason for your answer. (1 mark)
c) Draw an illustration to show how the cutting obtained for providing the cutting. (1 mark)

Study the diagram below and use it to answer the questions that follow.
i) Identify the field management practice shown above. (1 mark)
ii) State three importance of such practice. (3 marks)
iii) State one method of pruning. (1 mark)

Below is a diagram of crop pest.
a) Identify the pest in the diagram. (1 mark)
b) Suggest three ways of controlling the pests. (2 marks)
c) Name any two diseases of cabbages. (3 marks)

a) Describe the factors which determine the stage of harvesting crops. (5 marks)
b) Explain any five advantages of crop rotation. (10 marks)
c) Give five factors to consider in adopting farming system. (5 marks)

a) Describe factors contributing to competitive ability of weeds. (6 marks)
b) Outline the characteristics of ideal agro-forestry tree species. (9 marks)
c) Outline cultural methods of controlling crop pests. (5 marks)

a) State three forms of conserving forage? (3 marks)
b) State and explain three methods through which training is achieved in crop production. (6 marks)
c) Discuss the production of tomatoes under the following subheadings.
i) Ecological requirements. (3 marks)
ii) Land preparation (4 marks)
iii) Diseases and their control (4 marks)​

Give four types of livestock farming
– Pastoralist / mammalian livestock farming
– Fishing farming / acquaculture / crocodile farming
– Bee keeping apiculture
– Pouty keeping.

State four advantages of mixed farming
– Livestock provide manure for growing crops
– Crop residuals provide food livestock

Name four types of Agricultural services available to farmer
– Extension and training
– Banking
– Credit
– A.I
– Research
– Marketing
– Tractor hire service

State two precautions to be observed in soil sampling (1mk)
– Avoid unusual areas e.g under fence
– Collect at right depth
– Do not contaminate samples

State four objectives of land tenure reforms
– Encourage conservation measures of land
– Increase productivity of both land and labour
– Encourage commercial farming and self employment
– Security of tenure hence more investment
– Enhance flrxibility in farming depending on market demands
– Enhance stalemnt schemes and improve land use through irrigation 4 x ½ = 2 mks

State four stages of adjudication and registration
– Adjudication officials with chiefs and local farmers on land ownership
– Surveying and measurement of adjudicated land
– Maps and records submitted to the title deed holder and their land by land by land office
– Registration of title deed holder and their land by land registra later issues them

a). Define opportunity cost
– The returns from the best alternative foregone
b. Give two types of labour records
– Muster roll
– Labour utilization

Name four processes involved in chemical wreathing (2mks)
– Oxidation
– Carbonation
– Hydration
– Hydrolysis

State four importance of drainage in faming
– Improves soil volume
– Reduce soil erosion
– Improves soil temperature
– Improves soil aeration
– Improves microbial activities

Give four ways of controlling bank erosion
– Construction of dams that retains flowing water
– Construction of dykes

Planting trees along the river banks to hold oil together
– Leaving uncultivated land on either side of the river

State four effectives of solidification
– Soil fertility / transferred to other destructions
– Temporary lakes are created / river causes changed
– Loss of property and life
– Permanent scars on landscape

State four reasons for effecting minimum tillage.
– reduce the cost of farming
– control soil erosion
– maintain soil structure
– to conserve soil moistureprevent disturbance of roots and underground plant structures
– avoid exposure of humus to sun’s heat

a). name two tractor implements for sub soiling
– Chisel plough
– Sub oilers
– Cultivators heavy type
b) Give two reasons for sub soiling
– break hardpans in orders to improve soil structure

Name four factors that determine hay
– Forage species used in making
– Stage of harvesting the forage
– Length of drying the forage
– Weather condition during drying forage
– Condition of the storage structure whether leaking
– Presence of foreign material in forage like weeds. 4 x 1/2 = 2mks

State four factors that are considered during the timing of planting
– Type of crop to be planted – Type of soil and its water retention
– Market demand
– Prevalence of pest and disease
– Weed control made easy by early planting

Name two factors that affect the efficiency of pesticides Concentration of pesticides
– Time of applying the pesticides
– Weather condition
– Persistence of pesticide
Section B (2 0Marks)

From the information
i). Air was lost from the soil lmk
ii) What was the percentage loss
150 – 148 = 2
/100 x 100 = 2% 1mk
b) What was responsible for the loss of weight when 100gms of soil was heated at 100°C (1/2 mk)
Water was lost from the soil
c) i) What caused the change in weight when the soil was continuously heated to 400°C from 100°C 04mk)
Humus /organic matter bunt/loss
ii) Calculate the percentage loss in c(i) above
95 – 92 = 3 = 3
/95 x 100 = 3%
d) – Improve structure
– Add nutrients
– Prevents erosion
– Improve drainage
– Modify soil temperature
– Improve water holding capacity
– Buffer soil pH
– Provide shelter and food for soil-microorganisms

i). B ½ mk
a). Give a reason for your answer (lmk)
It is mature and roots fast​

c) Draw an illustration to show how the cutting obtained for providing the cutting

i). Multiple stem pruning
– To remove the plant so that it can have the required shape.
– To remove the diseased and unwanted parts of a plant such as extra suckers, leaves, branches, flowers or even
stem
– Control of cropping
– To facilitate picking
– To ease the penetration of the spray
– It controls pests and diseases any 3×1= 3mks
iii) – Pinching out
– Annual pruning
– Coppicing or pollarding

a). cutworm 1 x 1 = 1 mk
b) Ways of controlling cut worms
– Use appropriate insecticides
– Crop rotation
– Early planting 2×1 = 2mks
c) Cabbages diseases
– Bacteria wilt -Ring spot -Damping off
– Black pot
– Black leg/dry rot canker -Dark leaf spot 3 x1= 3mks

a). Describe factors determining the stage of harvesting crops
– Use of crop/purpose
– Market demand/fast preference weather conditions
– Prevailing market price
– Conentration of the required chemicals e.g Pyrethrum, tea and coffee. 5mks
b) Expalin five advantages of crop rotation
– Improves soil fertility – when legumes are included in the rotation, Nitrogen is fixed/ added in the soil
ii) Control of pests/diseases
– Crop rotation disrupts the life cycle of certain pests and diseases.
iii) Control weeds – which are specific to certain crops for example stigma in cereal/ cover crops smoothers certain
weeds.
iv) Control of soil erosion- Crops planted in rows eg Maize should
v) Better use of soil nutrients – different crops have different root systems and draw nutrients from varying soil
horizon /different nutrient demands therefore alternating leads to proper utilization
vi) Improve soil structure – Grass lays established will improve soil structure through the roots by binding soil
particles together.
– During grass lays period organic matter will accumulate to enrich soil structures Stating lmk Explanation lmk
5×2= lOmks
b) Five factors to consider in adopting farming system
– Size of the farm
– Environmental factors
– Aims or objectives of the farmers
– Farms knowledge and skills
– Availability of resources
– Government policy
– Security 1 x 5=5 mks

a). Factor contributing to competitive ability of weeds
– Ability to produce large quantities of seeds
– Weeds and seeds remain viable in the soil for a long time.

Easy and successful dispersal mechanism of most weeds and seeds
– Elaborate or extensive root system
– Ability to complete their life cycle in a short time
– Ability of some weeds to propagate vegetatively
– Ability to survive even under adverse environmental conditions 5×1=5 mks
b) Chracteristics of ideal agroforestry trees
– Nitrogen fixing ability
– Fast growing ability
– Multipurpose nature
– By products production
– Deep rooted with shallow rootzone
– Nutritious
– Palatable 10×1=10 mks
c) Cultural methods of controlling crop pests.
– Timely planting
– Timely harvesting
– Proper tillage
– Close season
– Trap cropping
– Crop rotation
– Planting resistant crop varieties
– Field hygiene
– Crop nutrition
– Restriction of alternative host
– Use of clean planting materials

a). State three forms of conserving forage
– Hay
– Silage
– Standing forage
b) State and explain three methods through which training is achieved in crop production (6 mks)
i) Staking- Supporting plants having weak stems with the help of thin strong stick eg for tomatoes.
ii) Propping – Producing support to tall varieties of bananas and those with heavy branches
iii) Trelishing- Providing support to crops with vines using wires or sisal strings.
c) Discuss the production of tomatoes under the following subheadings:
i) Ecological requirements (3mks)
– Attitude – 0-2100mm a.s.l (
– Rainfall – 760mm – 1300mm
– Soil – deep fertile and well drained
ii) Land preparation (4 mks)
– Clear the vegetation
– Soil is dug deep/dry cultivation and all weed especially the perennial ones controlled
– Trash collected/secondary cultivation
– Level the area
iii) Disease and their control (4 mks)
Tomato Blight – Preventive spraying using fungicides
Bacteria wilt – Uproot and burn affected plants
– User certified seeds -Crop rotation
Blossom end rot – Regulate watering Top dressing with correct amount of nitrogen​