WAEC Agricultural Science 1991 (August) past questions and answers

Use the diagram (a soil profile with layers labelled I to V) to answer this question. The most weathered and leached area is labelled

1. A.I
2. B.II
3. C.III
4. D.IV
5. E.V

Use the diagram (a soil profile with layers labelled I to V) to answer this question. Which of the following areas has a significant influence on the properties of soils formed from it?

1. A.V
2. B.IV
3. C.III
4. D.II
5. E.I.

Use the diagram (a soil profile with layers labelled I to V) to answer this question. The part that is mostly rich is minerals is labelled

1. A.I
2. B.II
3. C.III
4. D.IV
5. E.V

The most important soil micro-organisms concerned with decay and nutrient-recycling are

1. A.bacteria and fungi
2. B.fungi and algae
3. C.algae and actinomyces
4. D.actinomyces and bacteria
5. E.bacteria and algae.

The nutrient content of soil may be influenced by the following except

1. A.harrowing
2. B.topography
3. C.cropping
4. D.fallowing
5. E.grazing.

What happens to the nitrogen and sulphur contents of vegetation when burning is used as a means of land clearing? They

1. A.are released by burning and lost as gases
2. B.remain in ash as nitrates and sulphates
3. C.raise the pH of an acid soil
4. D.are released into the soil thus increasing the nutrients of the soil
5. E.activate the soil microbes after burning.

Which of the following does not occur as a result of poorly drained soil?

1. A.Mottling near the top
2. B.Decrease in rooting depth
3. C.Change in colour of the subsoil
4. D.Decrease in organic matter content
5. E.Increase in oxygen level of the soil.

The different types of soil are determined by the relative amounts of each of the following components except

1. A.rocks
2. B.air
3. C.water
4. D.minerals
5. E.organic matter.

Fertilizers that usually contain one nutrient which can be used directly by plants are commonly called

1. A.organic fertilizers
2. B.mixed fertilizers
3. C.inorganic fertilizers
4. D.compound fertilizers
5. E.straight fertilizers.

A soil with particles of less than 0.002 mm in diameter is referred to as

1. A.clay
2. B.silt
3. C.sand
4. D.gravel
5. E.humus

Which of the following factors does not bring about soil formation?

1. A.Climate
2. B.Time
3. C.Parent material
4. D.Sunshine
5. E.Topography

Plant micro-nutrients include the following except

1. A.sulphur
2. B.copper
3. C.iron
4. D.zinc
5. E.chlorine

Most crop plants do not survive in water-logged soils because

1. A.the dissolved nutrients are too diluted for crop plants
2. B.the plants will not photosynthesize
3. C.their leaves are turgid for respiration
4. D.their physiological processes will be increased
5. E.oxygen has been displaced leading to its deficiency for crops.

A farmland was surveyed and mapped as shown in the diagram below. If AB is 10 metres, DC is 8 metres and EF is 5 metres, what is the area of the farm?

1. A.40m²
2. B.45m²
3. C.50m²
4. D.80m²
5. E.90m²

Use the diagram (a disc plough with parts labelled I to V) to answer this question. On which of the labelled parts can more weight be added to increase soil penetration by the implement?

1. A.V
2. B.IV
3. C.III
4. D.II
5. E.I

Use the diagram (a disc plough with parts labelled I to V) to answer this question. The part that is kept in touch with the ground at the rear end during operation is labelled

1. A.I
2. B.II
3. C.III
4. D.IV
5. E.V.

Use the diagram (a disc plough with parts labelled I to V) to answer this question. Which of the labelled structure carries out the functions of the share, coulter and mouldboard in a mouldboard plough?

1. A.I
2. B.II
3. C.III
4. D.IV
5. E.V.

If the ginning percentage of the Samaru variety of cotton is 35, what will be the amount of raw cotton obtained from a 6 hectare farm with a yield of 330 kg seed cotton per hectare?

1. A.46 kg
2. B.96.3 kg
3. C.114 kg
4. D.693 kg
5. E.6930 kg.

Which of the following factors does not affect the distribution of pasture grasses?

1. A.Type of species
2. B.Temperature
3. C.Soil
4. D.Pests and diseases
5. E.Rainfall.

Which of the following is not a reason for the government to encourage the planting of trees

1. A.Controlling erosion
2. B.Increasing soil fertility
3. C.Preventing desert encroachment
4. D.Reducing effects of enviromental pollution
5. E.Increasing output of mineral oil.

Which of the following crops does not require nursery?

1. A.Rice
2. B.Tobacco
3. C.Tomato
4. D.Oil palm
5. E.Maize.

The causal organism of damping - off disease of okra is a

1. A.bacterium
2. B.virus
3. C.nematode
4. D.aphid
5. E.fungus.

Which of the following crops cannot be easily improved by cross-breeding?

1. A.Groundnut
2. B.Cowpea
3. C.Oil palm
4. D.Maize
5. E.Yam.

The commonest method of vegetative propagation is by

1. A.layering
2. B.budding
3. C.cutting
4. D.grafting
5. E.tillering.

Use the information below: I. spreading and perennial plant with long and rapid growing stems. II. Height of plant about 1.2 m III. Resistance to dry weather. Which of the following pasture grasses has the description given above?

1. A.Northern gamba grass
2. B.Bahama grass
3. C.Guinea grass
4. D.Elephant grass
5. E.Giant star grass.

The annual burning of forest areas encourages

1. A.afforestation
2. B.deforestation
3. C.regeneration
4. D.selective exploitation
5. E.taungya farming.

Which of following crops is not correctly grouped with its industrial product?

1. A.Cocoa-chocolate
2. B.Rubber-boots
3. C.Coconut-oil
4. D.Cotton-textile
5. E.Orange-margarine.

The objective of crop improvement programmes is to produce the following except

1. A.crop types with improved taste and processing
2. B.disease-resistant crops
3. C.high-yielding crops
4. D.crops adapted to adverse enviromental conditions
5. E.crops resistant to all pests.

The bacterial blight of cotton is also known as

1. A.black arm
2. B.leaf spot
3. C.damping off
4. D.twister
5. E.leaf rust.

Staking is very essential in the cultivation of

1. A.tomato and pepper
2. B.cassava and cowpea
3. C.cowpea and spinach
4. D.tomato and yam
5. E.spinach and pepper.

Vetox 85 is used to control

1. A.rodents
2. B.birds
3. C.stem borers
4. D.reptiles
5. E.nematodes.

What symptom can be used to identify maize rust?

1. A.Yellow colouration of the leaves
2. B.Raised brown spots on the leaves
3. C.Infected leaves showing stripes of yellow and green
4. D.Drying up of the leaves
5. E.Shedding of leaves.

Use the information below: I. Pale leaves II. Shrunken new leaves III. Water-soaked bark which peels off IV. Gum-like exudation from the cracks on the bark. Which of the following diseases of citrus has the symptoms listed above?

1. A.Die-bark
2. B.Gum-mosis
3. C.Blight
4. D.Tristeza
5. E.Citrus scab.

Which of the following is not a breed of cattle?

1. A.Ndama
2. B.Sokoto Gudali
3. C.White Fulani
4. D.Sokoto Red
5. E.Muturu.

Which of the following may cause diseases in a fish pond?

1. A.Mixed stocking
2. B.Liming
3. C.Poor management practices
4. D.Harvesting
5. E.Fertilization.

The act of parturition in rabbits is called

1. A.kindling
2. B.kidding
3. C.farrowing
4. D.lambing
5. E.calving.

The factors affecting growth and development of young animals from birth to maturity include the following except

1. A.breed of animal
2. B.size of the head
3. C.nutritional status
4. D.health status
5. E.housing.

Use the formula: percentage digestibility of nutrient = (Wt. of nutrient in feed − Wt. of nutrient in faeces)/Wt. of nutrient in feed × 100. If an animal ate 20 kg of feed containing 25% protein and excreted 15 kg of faeces containing 7.5% protein, what will be the digestibility of protein in the feed?

1. A.67.5%
2. B.77.5%
3. C.82.5%
4. D.87.5%
5. E.92.5%.

Which of the following is not a sign of animals approaching parturition?

1. A.Soft, pliable and swollen vulva
2. B.Relaxed cervix
3. C.Full mammary gland
4. D.Relaxed pelvic ligaments
5. E.Drop in milk production.

Daily management routines in poultry include the following except

1. A.egg collection
2. B.record keeping
3. C.water and feed provision
4. D.health care
5. E.debeaking.

Basal feeds have a high proportion of easily digestible

1. A.minerals
2. B.proteins
3. C.fats
4. D.vitamins
5. E.carbohydrates.

The length of oestrus cycle (in days) in goat is

1. A.16 – 17
2. B.18 – 21
3. C.19 – 20
4. D.20 – 22
5. E.20 – 24.

When a cockerel is castrated, it becomes a

1. A.broiler
2. B.cock
3. C.layer
4. D.capon
5. E.pullet

Forages cut fresh and preserved in silo or pit are referred to as

1. A.hay
2. B.silage
3. C.haylage
4. D.soilage
5. E.compost.

Which of the following is not a method of improving range land?

1. A.Controlled stocking
2. B.Rotational grazing
3. C.Use of fertilizers
4. D.Introduction of legumes
5. E.Overgrazing.

Which of the following characteristics is not correct of pigs?

1. A.Prolific animals
2. B.Efficient feed converters
3. C.Source of meat
4. D.Source of lard
5. E.Source of skin.

The best control measure for rinderpest disease in cattle is

1. A.sanitation
2. B.isolation
3. C.use of antibiotics
4. D.eradication of infected stock
5. E.vaccination.

Temperature is an important factor which is monitored in fish ponds because

1. A.it determines the feeding rate of fishes
2. B.its fluctuation retards fish reproduction
3. C.it affects the metabolic processes in fish
4. D.it decreases the reaction of fishes to other water organisms
5. E.it reduces the effect of decaying materials in ponds.

Diarrhoea tainted with blood is a symptom of

1. A.trypanosomiasis
2. B.coccidiosis
3. C.ketosis
4. D.brucellosis
5. E.aspergilliosis.

The major cause of spoilage in fresh fish is

1. A.high humidity
2. B.fungal attack
3. C.high moisture content
4. D.bacterial attack
5. E.protozoa.

Selection of breeding males based on the performance of their female relatives is known as

1. A.sib-selection
2. B.individual selection
3. C.tandem-method
4. D.progeny testing
5. E.index selection.

A farmer uses his agricultural loans for the following except

1. A.paying labour wages
2. B.hiring machineries and tools
3. C.purchasing drugs for livestock
4. D.paying for seeds
5. E.marketing his crops.

What is the effect of stability of market price on a produce? The

1. A.profit of the producer would be constant if there is no increase in cost of inputs
2. B.profit of the retailer will be decreased
3. C.wholesaler will earn more from his sales
4. D.consumers will willingly buy more of the produce
5. E.producer and wholesaler will benefit from the ecomomic of large scale production.

From which of the following sources can agricultural credits be more easily obtained by peasant farmers?

1. A.Commercial banks
2. B.Wholesalers
3. C.Money lenders
4. D.Government agencies
5. E.Credit and thrift societies.

Net worth statement can be referred to as

1. A.balance sheet
2. B.farm record book
3. C.profit and loss account
4. D.farm trading account
5. E.depreciation.

Which of the following activities is correct about agricultural extension agent?

1. A.Teaching farmers the management of exotic breeds of animals and crops
2. B.Educating farmers on the use of improved inputs and techniques in agriculture
3. C.Training school leavers to become professional farmers
4. D.Encouraging graduates to take up agriculture as a profession
5. E.Understudy the researchers and recording their findings.

The problems of agricultural development in Nigeria are caused by the following except

1. A.inadequate land
2. B.poor finance
3. C.poor transportation system
4. D.lack of basic amenities
5. E.substandard farm inputs.

The climatic factors affecting agricultural production in Nigeria include the following except

1. A.temperature
2. B.rainfall
3. C.relative humidity
4. D.sunlight
5. E.topography.

(a) State four roles of government in agricultural production.
(b) Describe four traditional land ownership systems in Nigeria and give one disadvantage of each system.

Discuss eight maintenance practices including the precautions you would take to keep the tractor operating safely and ensure its durability.

(a) List six environmental factors affecting agricultural production in Nigeria.
(b) Explain briefly how five of the factors listed in (a) can affect agricultural production in Nigeria.

(a) With the aid of a fully labelled diagram, describe the carbon cycle.
(b) Explain the importance of carbon cycle to crops and animals.

Describe briefly the side effects, preventive and control measures of diseases and pests of crops, under the following headings:
(a) chemical control
(b) biological control
(c) cultural method of control.

(a) Describe briefly five management methods adopted in the forest areas to ensure a continuous timber supply.
(b) Enumerate six benefits derived from forestry and range.

Explain briefly the following terms:
(a) ovulation
(b) oestrus cycle
(c) gestation
(d) parturition

(a) What is a balanced ration?
(b) If birds at point of lay were fed a ration/feed containing: maize meal - 65%, groundnut cake - 25%, fish meal - 5% and brewers' grain - 5%. Name the other feed ingredients that are essential which are not listed. State the importance of the ingredients you have listed.

State the law of demand and six basic assumptions as related to agricultural products. Illustrate your answer with the aid of a demand schedule and a demand curve.

(a) Explain agricultural marketing and four channels of marketing farm produce.
(b) State four problems associated with marketing of farm produce by small-scale farmer.