WAEC Agricultural Science 1992 past questions and answers

Which of the following is not a characteristic feature of peasant farming?

1. A.Inability to repay loan
2. B.Long-term loan facility
3. C.Lack of capital
4. D.Small farm-holding
5. E.Inability to obtain farm input.

The principles involved in crop production include the following, I. controlling of diseases, weeds and pests, II. maintaining the quality of agricultural produce, III. conserving and preserving of natural resources, IV. controlling soil erosion. Which of the following combinations does the government aim at when making agricultural policies?

1. A.I and II only
2. B.III and IV only
3. C.I, II and III only
4. D.I, II, III, and IV
5. E.II, III and IV.

Which of the following is not a problem of agricultural development in Nigeria?

1. A.Provision of food and employment opportunity
2. B.Land tenure system
3. C.Poor and fluctuating climatic conditions
4. D.Poor storage facilities
5. E.Primitive production techniques.

What is the purpose of wildlife conservation?

1. A.Keeping animals in forests
2. B.Preventing wild animals from destroying crops
3. C.Preventing the extinction of some wild animals
4. D.Ensuring that hunters always have some games
5. E.Earning foreign exchange through export of meat.

Adequate knowledge of climate is useful in determining the following except

1. A.methods of land clearing to adopt
2. B.tillage practices
3. C.crop and livestock management practices
4. D.harvesting and storage
5. E.marketing practices and strategies.

The most important soil microorganisms which are effective decomposers of wood in forest areas are

1. A.earthworms
2. B.wood beetles
3. C.termites
4. D.algae
5. E.fungi.

Which of the following is not a biotic factor affecting agricultural production?

1. A.Predator
2. B.Soil
3. C.Parasite
4. D.Pest
5. E.Disease.

Use the diagram (the nitrogen cycle, with stages labelled I to VIII) to answer this question. The salts denitrified in I are

1. A.nitrites
2. B.ammonium salts
3. C.magnesium salts
4. D.urea
5. E.nitrates.

Use the diagram (the nitrogen cycle, with stages labelled I to VIII) to answer this question. When VI and VII are decomposed, they produce V which are

1. A.inorganic residues
2. B.ammonium salts
3. C.nitrites
4. D.dead woods
5. E.organic residues.

The effect of clearing agricultural lands clean of all vegetation and or trees include the following except

1. A.exposure of soil to erosion
2. B.compaction of soil
3. C.desertification
4. D.complete removal of soil nutrients
5. E.exposure of subsoil.

Which of the following is not an advantage of drip-irrigation?

1. A.Fertilizers can be applied through the system
2. B.There is reduction in the concentration of salt in the root zone
3. C.The system operates on a much lower line pressure than spinkler system
4. D.Its efficiency on water distribution in steep slopes is poor
5. E.There is considerable maximization on use of water.

Chlorosis observed along the veins of leaves is a characteristic symptom for the deficiency of

1. A.nitrogen
2. B.magnesium
3. C.potassium
4. D.phosphorus
5. E.sulphur.

The removal of excess water from the soil surface and the upper subsoil is known as

1. A.irrigation
2. B.drainage
3. C.evaporation
4. D.surface turn-off
5. E.dehydration.

Which of the following is not an effect of manuring on the soil?

1. A.Adding plant nutrients to the soil
2. B.Releasing adequate plant nutrients of the appropriate time
3. C.Facilitating soil aeration and movement of soil moisture
4. D.Enhancing the activities of soil microorganisms
5. E.Improving the structure of the soil.

A soil with low pH value can be improved by the addition of

1. A.ammonium sulphate
2. B.calcium carbonate
3. C.sodium chloride
4. D.sodium nitrate
5. E.magnesium phosphate.

Which of the following factors will cause etiolation in crops?

1. A.Low humidity
2. B.High light intensity
3. C.High humidity
4. D.Low temperature
5. E.Absence of light.

The windmill is normally used as a source of power in

1. A.pumping well water
2. B.soil drainage
3. C.ridging
4. D.erosion control
5. E.seed broadcasting.

Study the diagram. What is the meaning of the conventional sign illustrated by the diagram in farm surveying or mapping?

1. A.Railway crossing
2. B.Bridge
3. C.Gate
4. D.Datum
5. E.Bench mark.

The most appropriate farm machinery for breaking soil is the

1. A.harrow
2. B.plough
3. C.ridger
4. D.tractor
5. E.cultivator

An area of land where fruit trees are cultivated is commonly called?

1. A.an orchard
2. B.a plantation
3. C.a nursery
4. D.an estate
5. E.a garden.

The natural grasslands of West Africa are generally located in the

1. A.Sahel region
2. B.Guinea savanna
3. C.Mangrove area
4. D.Equatorial region
5. E.Deciduous forest.

Which of the following forest trees is a soft wood?

1. A.Mahogany
2. B.Teak
3. C.Shea-butter
4. D.Ebony
5. E.Gmelina.

Soil-borne diseases of crops can be effectively reduced by

1. A.terracing
2. B.crops rotation
3. C.liming
4. D.irrigation
5. E.mulching.

Gametes are produced through the process of

1. A.fusion
2. B.meiosis
3. C.mitosis
4. D.pollination
5. E.fertilization

Which of the following is the most suitable raw material used in the production of pulp in paper industry?

1. A.Hardwood
2. B.Softwood
3. C.Heartwood
4. D.Sapwood
5. E.Plywood.

Which of the following explains the term pruning?

1. A.Removal of unnecessary branches of trees crops
2. B.Adequate spacing of seedlings during transplanting
3. C.Removal of diseases or dead crops from the farm
4. D.hardening of seedlings in the nursery
5. E.Ripening of fruits before the development of embryo.

The freshly cut forage crops fed to livestock in their housing units are referred to as

1. A.paddock grazing
2. B.rotational grazing
3. C.silage
4. D.hay
5. E.soilage.

Which of the following plant diseases is not caused by fungus

1. A.Black arm
2. B.Rice blast
3. C.Rice smut
4. D.Cassava leaf-spot
5. E.Maize rust.

Trees for lumbering will be regularly available in Nigerian forests if

1. A.there is an increase in annual rainfall
2. B.fertilizers are applied to trees
3. C.timber is no longer used for construction purposes
4. D.a tree is planted for everyone felled
5. E.wood is no longer used as fuel.

The side effects of the various preventive and control measures of pests and diseases of crops include the following except.

1. A.environmental pollution
2. B.poisoning of wildlife
3. C.disruption of the ecosystem
4. D.improvement in the quality of farm produce
5. E.exposure of the farmer to health hazards.

Which of the following parts of plants are normally used for vegetative propagation?

1. A.Stem, root and seed
2. B.Stem, root and flower
3. C.Fruit, leaf and root
4. D.Leaf, flower and stem
5. E.Stem, root and leaf

The correct sequence in preparing new land for cropping is usually

1. A.stumping, laying out of farm, ridging and tilling
2. B.laying out of farm, ridging, stumping and tilling
3. C.tilling, stumping, ridging and laying out of farm
4. D.ridging, laying out of farm, tilling and stumping
5. E.Laying out of farm, stumping, tilling and ridging.

Which of the following methods would quickly provide a large harvest of oranges from a tree with desirable qualities?

1. A.Planting the seeds of the plant with the desirable qualities
2. B.Crossing orange trees with those of desirable qualities
3. C.Applying special fertilizer to the other citrus trees
4. D.Grafting a branch from the tree with desirable qualities to the stock of other citrus trees
5. E.Planting the stem cuttings of the orange tree with desirable qualities.

Which of the following is not an aim of improving crops?

1. A.Producing crops which are resistant to diseases and pests
2. B.Producing crops which are adapted to adverse weather conditions
3. C.Increasing yield by planting high yielding and vigorous varieties
4. D.Improving the qualities of farm produce
5. E.Improving mechanical method of harvesting crops.

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a good pasture?

1. A.Ability to withstand extremes of climate and soil conditions
2. B.Ability to withstand competition from weeds or other forage crops
3. C.Ability to produce high quality fresh leaves
4. D.High palatability and nutritional content
5. E.Ability to provide mainly high quality carbohydrates.

Feed carotene is usually converted into

1. A.vitamin K
2. B.vitamin E
3. C.vitamin D
4. D.vitamin B
5. E.vitamin A.

Which of the following is a disadvantage of battery cage?

1. A.High rate of egg production
2. B.Production of eggs which cannot be hatched
3. C.Production of eggs which do not break easily
4. D.Regulation of feed consumption
5. E.Carrying out culling easily.

Routine operations in cattle farming include the following except

1. A.dehorning
2. B.castration
3. C.identification marking
4. D.de-worming
5. E.shearing.

The act of mating in chicken is known as

1. A.treading
2. B.service
3. C.topping
4. D.breeding
5. E.laying.

Stud bull is the term used in describing

1. A.a castrated male cattle
2. B.a bull kept mainly for breeding
3. C.an old bull used for draft purposes
4. D.a bull used for artificial insemination only
5. E.an immature male cattle.

When an animal is being fed on a ration that does not increase its value but keeps the animal in good health and constant weight, the animal is said to be on a

1. A.production ration
2. B.creep feed
3. C.maintenance ration
4. D.concentrate
5. E.balanced ration.

The ways by which a pasture can be improved include the following except

1. A.over-grazing
2. B.weed control
3. C.reseeding
4. D.irrigation
5. E.fertilizer application.

Which of the following group of diseases mostly affect goats in Nigeria?

1. A.Diarrhoea, kata and intestinal worm infestation
2. B.Foot-rot, pneumonia and mange
3. C.Anthrax, foot-rot and kata
4. D.Foot and mouth, mastitis and mange
5. E.Diarrhoea, anthrax and bloat.

The conditions necessary for establishing a fish pond include the following except

1. A.sunlight
2. B.accessibility
3. C.capital
4. D.availability of stock
5. E.source of water supply.

Genetic characteristics are passed from the parents to offspring through the

1. A.cytoplasm
2. B.placenta
3. C.zygote
4. D.gene
5. E.umbilical cord.

A livestock disease caused by a fungus is

1. A.aspergillosis
2. B.coccidiosis
3. C.red water
4. D.brucellosis
5. E.foot and mouth.

An unproductive animal completely removed from the rest of the stock is said to be

1. A.quarantined
2. B.culled
3. C.isolated
4. D.confined
5. E.sold

For which of the following products do most farmers in West Africa raise pigs?

1. A.Pork
2. B.Bacon
3. C.Lard
4. D.Skin
5. E.Vaccine production

Which of the following will not help milk let-down in a lactating dairy cow?

1. A.Injection of oxytocin
2. B.Presence of calf
3. C.Provision of feed
4. D.Injection of progesterone
5. E.Presence of a milker.

Oil-meals that may be used in formulating livestock ration include the following except

1. A.blood meal
2. B.groundnut cake
3. C.palm kernel cake
4. D.cotton seed cake
5. E.coconut cake.

A disease that causes abortion in cattle in the later stages of pregnancy is

1. A.milk fever
2. B.pneumonia
3. C.brucellosis
4. D.foot and mouth disease
5. E.ring worm.

The type of soil recommended for pond foundation is

1. A.silt
2. B.clay
3. C.sandy loam
4. D.humus
5. E.sandy clay.

Which of the following animals is not normally bred in West Africa for the product indicated beside it?

1. A.Cattle -meat
2. B.Sheep -wool
3. C.Poultry -egg
4. D.Rabbit -meat
5. E.Pig -thin back fat.

Which of the following is not a source of agricultural finance in Nigeria?

1. A.Personal Savings
2. B.Merchant Banks
3. C.Commercial Banks
4. D.Money Lenders
5. E.Cooperatives

Which of the following statements is not correct about agricultural production?

1. A.Production is incomplete until the goods get to the consumer
2. B.Production also includes provision of services
3. C.Distribution, wholesale and retail trades are all part of production
4. D.Production deals with the provision of services on the farm
5. E.Production is restricted to the availability of commodity only.

To which of the following factors of production does the law of diminishing returns relate?

1. A.Unit factor
2. B.Fixed factors
3. C.Variable factors
4. D.Labour force
5. E.Labour efficiency.

The components of a complete farm enterprise record include the following except.

1. A.list of receipts and expenses by enterprise
2. B.list of payable and receivable accounts
3. C.farm income statements
4. D.list of marketing centres
5. E.an inventory.

Agricultural extension is best defined as

1. A.an informal educational process which aims at teaching farmers how to improve their farming activities and practices
2. B.a formal education procedure of improving the image of farmers
3. C.an informal educational institution where farmers can learn the art of improving their standard of living
4. D.an extension of agricultural institution established mainly for farmers to learn improved farming techniques
5. E.formal educational process designed to teach farmers and their families improved methods of rural living.

Marketing functions include the following except

1. A.buying agricultural commodities
2. B.transporting farm produce
3. C.financing agricultural production
4. D.storage of farm produce
5. E.planting of crops.

Discuss briefly four factors that cause food shortages in Nigeria.

Discuss briefly eight advantages of agricultural mechanisation in Nigeria.

List and discuss the process of soil formation.

(a)(i) Define the term irrigation. (ii) Mention two types of irrigation.
(b) Discuss briefly six problems associated with irrigation.

Discuss eight economic importance of insect pests in crop production.

Discuss the production of yam under the following headings:
(a) materials of propagation
(b) soil requirement
(c) land preparation
(d) planting and spacing
(e) cultural practices
(f) three major pests and their control.

(a) Name five breeds each of cattle and pig that can be found in Nigeria.
(b) State six general characteristics of rabbit.

(a) Name the causative agent of each of the following livestock diseases: (i) foot and mouth; (ii) rinderpest (iii) Newcastle.
(b) Name three animals that can be affected by each of the diseases listed in (a).
(c) State four symptoms of foot and mouth disease and three symptoms each for rinderpest and Newcastle diseases.

Discuss eight problems which an agricultural extension worker can face in the discharge of his duties.

List and discuss four functions of a farm manager in a farm business.