Questions and answers

1). Describe, giving examples, the different types of records a farmer should keep in crop production.

Answer: Production records e.g., crop enterprises, livestock deaths, births and yields financial records
e.g., income and expenditure accounts, profit/ loss accounts

2). Explain the advantages of keeping these records

Production records: - guide farmers in planning and making decisions - facilitate seed selection - identify
areas needing improvement

Financial records: - enable farmers to determine profit/ loss - help farmers to obtain loans - sharing of
profits/ loss at the end of a growing season - to assess income

3). Describe how weeds can be spread

Answer: - can be spread by water - animals/ birds - wind - explosive means

4). Describe how weeds can be controlled

Answer: Cultural control: - correct spacing of crop plants in order to smother weeds, correct fertilization
for quick growth of plants - crop rotation to suppress some weed species

Mechanical control: - ploughing and harrowing - hand pulling and hoeing

Chemical control: - use of herbicides - contact or systematic herbicides - selective or non-selective

herbicides

5). Describe how each of the following can cause damage to crops

Crop damage caused

i). nutritional deficiencies stunted growth color change, less resistance to diseases and pests and death

ii). Water logging yellowing of leaves stunted growth roots fail to respire death

iii). Capping Seedling emergence is difficult Uneven germination Reduced air circulation in the
soil.

iv). Frost Slow plant growth kills plants

6). Explain how a farmer can prevent and control disease attack on crops.

- use of chemicals - rotation - destruction of diseased plants, rouging - fallowing - use of disease-free
certified seed - avoid wetting leaves - early/ late planting - use of disease resistant cultivators

7) State the differences between the following

i). Variable and fixed costs:

- variable costs can be allocated directly to an enterprise e.g., lime, seed etc. for a crop enterprise and
fixed costs or overheads cannot be allocated to a particular enterprise e.g., rates, interest on loans. -
Variable costs change with the size of the enterprise and fixed costs do not change
ii). Soil texture and soil structure

Soil texture soil structure answer: - texture is the size/ coarseness/ fineness of soil particles and
structure is the arrangement of soil particles

iii). Straight fertilizer and compound fertilizer

- straight fertilizers contain only one major nutrient. Compound fertilizers are mixtures which contain
more than one.

iv). Contact and systematic insecticides

Answer: - contact insecticides are absorbed through the skin/ cuticle of the pest and the insect gets
poisoned while systematic insecticides are absorbed by the plant first and the plant becomes poisonous
to pests, sap suckers are mostly affected.

8). Explain the importance of legumes in Agriculture

answer: - rich in proteins, useful as hay, improve pastures - fix nitrogen into the soil/ improve fertility,
reduce use of nitrogenous fertilizers / costs

9). Explain how plants use water by plants - used in transpiration to cool the plants - combines with CO2
in the presence of light to produce carbohydrates / oxygen - a solvent for nutrients/ translocation - a
medium for all chemical process in the plant - Used in germination - Major component of plant tissue

10) What are the advantages of using inorganic fertilizers in agriculture

Advantages of inorganic fertilizers

Answer: - nutrients readily available for plant use - facilitate estimates of crop yields - plant nutrients are
definite proportions - less storage space/ less bulk - specific nutrients can be applied

11). State factors that must be considered before starting an agricultural enterprise

Answer: - finance, source/ amount; expense / capital - market; profitability/ viability/ income - purpose
of product - labour - transport - skill - land/ soil type; climate; storage/ housing - farmers preferences;
water

12) With the aid of the diagram explain the hydrological cycle

Evaporation from rivers/ lake; transpiration from trees/ grass and soil evapo transpiration; warm air
rises; cools/ condenses; cloud formation, rain falls/ precipitation; flows as run off/ enters the soils;
breathing perspiration from animals

13. What causes coccidiosis?

Protozoa/ Eimeria ten Ella/ Coccidia/ Eimeria nectary

14). State any three ways of controlling coccidiosis

Sulphur drugs e.g., sulphamezathine emberizine/ ampler - change litter - separate older animals from
young ones - hygiene - isolation/ quarantine - provide feed with coccidiostats
15.Figure 3 shows the relationship between crop yield and fertilizers applied. Explain the relationship
between the yield and fertilizer at points marked 1, 2 and 3.

fertilizer

yield

phase1 phase2 phase 3

Point 1 the more fertilizer applied the higher yield, resources not fully utilized

Point 2 shows highest possible yields/ optimum fertilizer level; resources are fully utilized.

Point 3 yields decrease with further additions of fertilizer/ low of Diminishing returns; over utilization
of fertilisation

16. State three advantages to farmers of maintaining up to date financial records.

- find out whether one is operating at a loss / profit - guide farmers in planning/ decision making, obtain
loans - calculation of tax - compare the performance of different enterprises - for farm evaluation

Answer two question only from any one of the options 1, 2, 3 or 4. Candidates will be penalized for
answering more than two questions or for answering two questions from different options.

17). Describe the records that a farmer should keep in the growing of a named legume crop.

Name of legume – ground nuts

Types of records: production records e.g. crop, rainfall records Financial records e.g. income and
expenditure, budgets

18). Explain the uses of each of the records.

Production records - determine level/ amount of inputs - area under cultivation - remember dates of
ploughing/ sowing / pest control/ weeding/ maturity/ earthing/ harvesting
Financial records - fixed costs can be determined - determine e variable costs e.g. labour/ seed/
insecticides/ fertili9zer - assess profitability / loss of enterprise

19). Explain the effects of drought, wind and hail on crops

Drought - reduced growth of crops Crops dry Quality of crops is reduced

Poor yields

Wind - necessary for pollination in some plants An agent for dispersal of seed Can have a cooling
effect – increasing rate of evaporation Strong winds cause crops to dry up Can break branches,
stems and fruits dropping Spread pests and diseases fast

Hail shred leaves, flowers and crop stems Cause branches, stems and fruits to break

20). Describe the measures that a farmer can take to minimize the crop hazards mentioned in 11 (a)

21). State four ways in which plant nutrients may be lost from the soil. - leaching - absorption by
plants, monoculture - soil erosion – runoff - burning crop residues - oxidation, volitalisation

22). Explain how each of the following will reduce crop production.

i). Strong winds - break branches - shed flowers, pollen, fruit leaves

- affects photosynthesis - reduces yield and quality

ii). Low rainfall - causes drying, moisture stress - plant food manufacture is reduced - poor germination -
poor yield - quality of produce is affected

iii). High temperatures - transpiration rate is increased - rate of evaporation rises - plants wilt and die -
poor quality of produce and low yields

23). List four ways by which pastures can be improved - fencing - rotational grazing, paddocks -
supplementary irrigation - planting pasture legumes - correct stocking rate - planting palatable species -
controlling bush encroachment - removal of notious weeds

24). State four characteristics of a flower which show that it is normally pollinated by wind.

- small flowers - no bright colours - no scent - no nectar - large loose anthers - plenty of pollen - feathery
stigma, stigma exposed - male flowers at tip

25 Explain what is meant by the following terms

a). Infectious disease - spreads rapidly - Contagious

b). Field Capacity - maximum amount of water held against gravity - moisture within air pockets

c). Catch cropping - crops grown in between main crops - to catch pests and diseases - crops that are
ploughed under

d). Liabilities - items delivered but not yet paid for - amount owing

e). Zero Grazing - animals penned - grass cut and carried to pen - animals not allowed to graze
26 What routine maintenance is necessary on:

a). a saw - sharpening - leveling - setting teeth - hanging on rack

b). a sprayer - tightening bolts and nuts - renewing hoses - repairing old parts

c). a wheel barrow - greasing wheel axil - tightening bolts - cleaning, washing and painting

27. Name one fungal disease which is harmful to a named crop.

Name of fungal disease crop affected

Early late blight tomatoes Powdery mildew peas Brown rust beans dumping off seedlings

b). disease damage dumping off hyphae penetrates cells downy mildew grow in tissue rust
interfere with physiological functions e.g. photosynthesis powdery mildew causes sports – wilting
soft rot stems soften causing death

c). symptoms of the fungal disease dumping off to seedlings - seedlings fall over - wilting and death

Downy mildew of peas - great / white fury growth on the surface of leaves - stunted growth and death

Rust of beans - khaki brownish, deep brown patches on leaves - stunted growth and death

Blight of tomatoes

- Brown patches on the leaves - death of leaves, reduced yield, rotting of fruits

Powdery Mildew of tomatoes - pods are covered with white powder - white powder appears on leaves
and stems - stunted growth, rotting of fruits and death of the plants

Soft rot of Brassicas - heads /stems soften - heads/ stems rot - bad smell of rotting leaves and stems
resulting in death of plants

d). Name two ways of preventing fungal attack on crops

- Seed dressing - certified seed - crop rotation - resistant cultivars - avoid water logging

The Nitrogen Cycle

Process: A feeding/ eating ingestion B death, decay, rotting, decomposition and excretion C nitrates
oxygen D note position of L on diagram E Legumes

28). State four reasons why wire fencing is preferred to a hedge in an area where livestock is kept.

- wire is easily established / hedges take long to establish - hedges eaten by animals; hedge is difficult to
alter - can be poisonous - wire needs less maintenance - wire easily altered to needs - wire is not
affected by drought

29. Name the organs where the following processes occur in ruminants

Process organ 1 cellulose digestion rumen 2. ovulation ovary 3. sperm production testis 4.
fertilisation oviduct 5. implantation of fertilized egg uterus

30 Explain the differences between

a). respiration and photosynthesis - respiration: oxygen used to provide energy in cell carbon dioxide
and water are produced - photosynthesis: carbon dioxide and water used to produce food and oxygen in
chloroplasts, respiration takes place in both animals and plants while photosynthesis occurs in plants
only.

Respiration C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy

Sugar + Oxygen Carbon Dioxide + Water

Photosynthesis 6CO2 + H2O C6H2O6 + 6O2 Carbon Dioxide + Water Sugar + Oxygen

Translocation and transpiration.

Translocation: movement of food from one part to another.

Transpiration: loss of water from leaves to atmosphere.

Pollination and fertilization

Pollination: transfer of pollen from male flower to female flower. Fertilisation : fusing of male sex
gamete with female sex gamete to form a zygote.

31 Describe the cultivation of a named legume crop under the following headings.

a). Name of legume - groundnuts

b). preparation for planting - stumping burning and filling holes - ploughing / digging / sub soiling to a
depth 230 – 300mm - discing / harrowing rolling and leveling - fertilization, manuring and liming

c). Methods of planting - by hand or machine planters - plant in rows of furrows spacing 600mm x
100mm - timing/ plant in summer – November to February - Depth – 25 to 75mm

d). Signs which indicate that the crop is ready for harvesting - pods are dry, turn brown - when pods are
well filled - brown leaves start failing - 50 to 60% pods are mature

32 For a named fruit or cash crop explain briefly.

a). three cultural methods of weed control

Name of crop tomatoes /sunflower

i). crop rotation bring different host e.g. witch weed control

ii). early planting crops established before weeds germinate

iii). Use of clean seed seed free from weed seed

iv). Mulching prevents young seedlings of weeds prevents weeds from growing

v). flooding suffocation of weeds

vi). Placement of fertilizer placed close to plants for maximum utilization

b). How a farmer can protect a named crop against

i). water logging- drainage

ii). wild animals- fencing

iii). Strong winds - wind breaks

iv). Trace element deficiency- soil tests and correct fertilizers or liming

34. Outline the advantages and disadvantages of using commercial fertilizers.

i). advantages of using commercial fertilizers

- nutrients are in definite proportions - fertilizers supply the required nutrients - nutrients are readily
available - application is easy - occupies less space in storage or less bulky - improves quality of yield and
yield

ii). disadvantages of commercial fertilizers

- expensive, need proper storage - need skilled persons when applying - cause plant damage if wrongly
applied - affect soil pH - affect soil structure

36. Describe the importance of keeping production and financial records bin crop husbandry

- tell whether making profit or loss - facilitate management of activities carried out - show history of
agricultural production - enable farmer to plan for future - proof for one to borrow money from banks -
a tool used in selection of breeding stock - help farmer to remember his debts or credits

37. State three advantages of forests to the economy of Zimbabwe

- foreign currency / cash returns / tourism / beautify land - fuel / firewood - medicines - timber/
furniture/ building materials/ construction/ industry - provides fruits/ food - act as wind break/ prevent
erosion - pulp/ paper / resin/ rubber - conducive to clouds / rain formation

b). State the differences between

i). soil pan and a soil cap

Soil Pan

- hard layer underground / below soil - due to continuous ploughing to same depth

Soil Cap

- hard layer on soil surface / crusting due to rainfall.

iii). A clay soil and a sandy soil

Clay: poorly aerated/ drained; high humus content - difficult for plant roots to penetrate; cold soil/
takes time to warm - difficult to cultivate - has small particles/ fine particles; forms cracks when dry,
compact particles, less leaching, absorbs water slowly - high water holding capacity - high plant nutrients

Sand: well aerated / drained

- easy penetration of roots - easy to work/ does not stick - nutrients easily leached, large particles - poor
water holding capacity - little plant nutrients, little humus - erodes easily - doesn’t form cracks when it
dries - particles loosely packed

38. State three ways in which a farmer can cause soil erosion

- ploughing along slope - stream bank cultivation; poor pasture management - burn crop residue -
overstocking ; pulling sledges - veld fires; cattle tracks / foot paths - cutting trees indiscriminately -
monoculture

b). State three advantages of using cuttings when propagating crops

- identical off spring - shorter period to mature - contains enough food for young plant - only way to
multiply sterile plants

c). List four advantages of rotational grazing in pasture management.

- pest disease control - less erosion - grass recovers / rested - reduces selective grazing - grass builds
reserves - ensures enough food

- number of animals controlled

39. What are the functions of the following parts

xylem cell, transports water and mineral salts from root to shoot

stomata for gaseous exchange, transpiration/ water loss

40. State four methods that can be used to improve the structure of the soil.

- application of manure - minimum tillage - green manuring - plough under crop residues - liming -
leaving soil fallow

b). Calculate the amount of food consumed by an animal in four weeks if the daily consumption is 120g.

1 week = 7x120 =840g

4 weeks 4x840g = 3360g

3360g / 3.36kg

c. State three reasons why mixing legumes and grass is good pasture management.

- supply nitrogen for plant growth - improves palatability - nutritious / protein supplied - carbohydrates
supplied for growth and production during long dry season

41. Define the following terms

i). stocking rate - number of animals per unit area of land/ number of animals actually grazing on the
land
ii). carrying capacity - maximum number of animals which can be grazed on the veld without doing any
damage to that land - number of hectares required by one livestock unit

b). State four water collecting methods - dams, wells - water harvesters - weirs - man made lakes -
storage tanks - boreholes

42). State two characteristics of a mature green crop - leafy - 10 to 15% flower - early maturity - quick
to rot / succulent

b). State five problems associated with poor soil drainage

- low soil temperature

- poor germination - denitrification - poor microbial activity - water logging - poor / shallow root system -
difficult to cultivate - late maturity of crops - poor aeration - leaching of plant nutrients

c). Explain how ring barking kills trees

- bark with phloem cells is removed - manufactured food is not translocated down to roots

d). Why does excessive application of nitrogenous fertilizer cause plants to wilt.

- high concentration of nitrogen in soil than in plant - plasmolysis created / reversed osmosis - fertilizer
scorch / burns

43). For a named legume crop, describe the operations that are carried out from harvesting to
marketing.

- name of legume: groundnuts

- Lifting / digging/ hands / groundnut lifter - Curing on racks / drying; 2 – 6 weeks of drying - Plucking
groundnuts stores best in pods - Shelling - Protect from pests - Bagging - Store in a dry place, moisture
below 9% - Grading - Weighing / 20 kg

Marketing - Sold to Grain Marketing Board/ National Foods / Lever Brothers

beans

picking, hands, drying; 2 – 6 weeks of drying - / threshing beans, beans store best in seed - Protect from
pests - Bagging - Store in a dry place, moisture below 9% - Grading – Weighing -50kg

- Marketing - Sold to Grain Marketing Board/ National Foods / Lever Brothers

b). Explain the difference between selective and non selective herbicides.

Selective Kill only the weeds, without harming he crop, kill weeds within a crop

Non- selective Kill everything i.e both crops and weeds, use for pathways / construction sites / parking
sites

44). Describe the advantages and disadvantages of

i). Mechanical Weed Control

Advantages - faster - loosens the soil - aeration improved - infiltration improved

Disadvantages - difficult to control perennial weeds - labour intensive - crops can be damaged - destroys
soil structure - can lead to erosion - cannot be used in wet places - soil can be compacted

iii). Cultural

Advantages

- cheap - less damage to crops

- less damage to soil

Disadvantages

- less effective - takes a long time - not economic

b). State any two methods of applying fertilizer

- spray/ foliar application - branding / drilling - broadcast; fertigation; hill placement

4 5). List five causes of crop damage other than pests and diseases

- drought - hail - extreme temperatures - water logging - capping / crusting - excessive use of fertilizers -
1

b). Explain how each one causes damage to crops

i- drought – plants wilt/ dry - hail – tear / breaks/ crops

ii- water logging – suffocation of plants / stunted growth affect microbial activity - capping – affects

iii-infiltration of water - affects germination - affects aeration - fire – destroys crops - wind – encourages
iv-evaporation/ transpiration – breaks plants/ crops / lodging of crops - Nutritional deficiency – retards
growth of plants .

47 Define the following terms, as they are used in Agriculture:

i-Valva external part of female reproductive system

ii-Lubrication application of grease to moving parts to reduce friction

iii-Ovule developing seed

iv-Coppice shoots which grow at the base of a tree after harvesting

48-State tow measures farmers would take to prevent the spread of notifiable diseases.

i - vaccinate all animals - restrict movement of animals - report the disease outbreak to the police or
veterinary officers

50 Explain the importance of each of the following terms in the nitrogen cycle.

Term Explanation

Lightning converts atmosphere nitrogen into nitrates

Nitrifying bacteria converts ammonium carbonate to nitrous acid which reacts with lime to form
nitrates Nitrites are changed to nitrates by nitrobacter

Nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soil convert nitrogen from the air into Bacteria nitrogen compound that
can be used by the plant

51). State three methods which can be used to improve quality of livestock.

- cross breeding livestock - selection of cows and bulls - improve nutrition

b). How can excessive irrigation be harmful to crops?

Too much water will cause erosion, water logging and will increase incidence of pests, diseases and
weeds.

c). Fallopian Tube – passage of eggs from the ovary/ carries eggs to uterus

d). Cervix – separates uterus and vagina, keeps out foreign bodies, opens to allow passage of young at
birth.

e). Uterus – site for development of embryo - embryo is attached or implanted

53). For either Chickens or rabbits, state with reasons, four management practices to improve
productivity.

Practice Reason

Vaccination - to prevent diseases

Feed balanced ration - for fast growth

Supply fresh bedding - for warmth and to prevent diseases

Provide clean water - water is an essential food component for easy all the time digestion

clean run - prevent disease and parasite outbreak

Rabbits
Practice Reasons

Clean hutches - Prevent disease and parasite outbreak - Prevent diseases

Provide a balanced ration - for fast growth

Supply clean water - water is essential for dissolving food nutrients all the time

54). A farmer plants a cereal at a spacing of 900mm by 300mm in a field measuring 100m by 50m.

i). Calculate the expected plant population to the nearest thousand. Show working.

Answer

Number of rows 10 000/ 90

= 111.1

Number of plants per row = 5 000/ 30

= 166.7

Plant population = 166.7 x 111.1

= 18 520 19 000

Or

Number of rows = 5 000 90

= 55.5

Number of plants per row = 10 000 30

= 333.3

Plant population = 55.5 x 333.3 = 18 498 or 18 000

ii). If the top dressing rate is 200 Kg/ ha, calculate the weight of ammonium nitrate to be applied per
plant.

10 000 m2 (1ha) requires 200kg of ammonium nitrate 5 000m2 (100 x 50m) requires + 10 000 x 2 =
5 000 x 200 10 000

= 100kg of ammonium nitrate

Amount per plant = 100 000 18 500 g

= 18 000

= 5g/ plant

56 State ways through which soil fertility can be lost from arable lands

leaching - erosion - continuous cropping

57 State ways in which alkaline soils can be improved.

b). – application of large quantities of organic manure e.g. well-rotted straw, leaves, sawdust, compost -
cultivation of fodder crops - use of gypsum to convert sodium clay to calcium clay - heavy irrigation to
wash sodium salts deep down

59). How can moisture be conserved in arable lands? Answer: - good crop cover or plant population,
mulching.

60-Explain how the use of paddocks improves grazing pastures

palatable grasses can be grown - allows seed formation - there is a build up of food reserves in grasses -
fertilizers can be applied - overgrazing is prevented

61-State two reasons which are taken to protect farm tools during storage.

Paint the tools Apply oil coating Store tools in a shed or store room Keep tools clean

62 Explain the term minimum tillage.

very little cultivation of the soil is done - there is less disturbance of soil structure - it reduces
destruction of vegetation therefore reduces soil erosion