WAEC Agricultural Science 1994 past questions and answers

Agricultural production in West Africa can be improved by the following except

1. A.ability of farmers to purchase modern farm implements
2. B.expansive irrigation of farmlands
3. C.adoption and proper application of tested findings of agricultural research
4. D.continued adoption of the communal land holding system
5. E.adequate supply of improved seeds and livestock to farmers.

Farm settlement scheme is an example of agricultural

1. A.programme
2. B.policy
3. C.commodity
4. D.subsidy
5. E.regulation.

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

1. A.Inadequate land availability
2. B.Lack of finance
3. C.Improved and adequate storage facilities
4. D.Lack of basic amenities and social infrastructure
5. E.Poor transportation facilities.

Land use is influenced by the following except

1. A.population density
2. B.population growth
3. C.climatic conditions
4. D.topography
5. E.fallowing.

The response of crops to day-length is referred to as

1. A.photoperiodism
2. B.photosynthesis
3. C.photogenesis
4. D.venalization
5. E.volatilisation.

Coal is an example of

1. A.igneous rock
2. B.metamorphic rock
3. C.plutonic rock
4. D.volcanic rock
5. E.sedimentary rock.

What is the percentage of water content of a soil sample if the mass of fresh soil is 180 gm and mass of dried soil is 120 gram?

1. A.45.5%
2. B.40.4%
3. C.38.3%
4. D.35.3%
5. E.33.3%

Use the diagram illustrated to answer this question. The diagram illustrates

1. A.nitrogen cycle
2. B.kreb's cycle
3. C.carbon cycle
4. D.water-cycle
5. E.food chain.

Use the diagram illustrated to answer this question. The part labelled I represents

1. A.carbondioxide
2. B.sulphur oxide
3. C.respiration
4. D.plants
5. E.photosynthesis.

Prolonged application of ammonium sulphate fertilizer on a given soil can lead to the

1. A.decay of tuber and root crops
2. B.increase in beneficial soil micro-organisms
3. C.increase in soil acidity
4. D.damage of soil structure
5. E.increase in the alkalinity of soil.

Land is considered to be an essential factor in agricultural production because

1. A.it is most abundant
2. B.it is important for development
3. C.crop, fisheries and livestock production are practised on land
4. D.it cannot be increased in quantity
5. E.crop production is usually done on land.

The type of crops planted and the livestock raised in any given area depends primarily on the

1. A.type of climate
2. B.physical factors
3. C.biotic factors
4. D.socio-economic factors
5. E.edaphic factors.

In which of the following ways are metamorphic rocks formed?

1. A.By physical disintegration of igneous rocks
2. B.By alternative layering of particles of sedimentary and igneous rocks
3. C.By the combination of igneous and sedimentary rocks
4. D.Through biological change of original rock
5. E.Through chemical changes caused by heat and pressure.

A moistened soil sample which can be moulded to form a smooth continuous ring is characteristic of

1. A.sandy clay
2. B.heavy clay
3. C.loamy sand
4. D.clay loam
5. E.heavy loam.

Which of the following is not a factor for chemical weathering of rocks?

1. A.Solution
2. B.Hydrolysis
3. C.Freezing
4. D.Hydration
5. E.Carbonation.

Which of the following sets of farm operations can use electricity as a source of power?

1. A.Clearing, tiling and levelling
2. B.processing, storage and ploughing
3. C.Processing, storage and extraction
4. D.Harrowing, winnowing and storage
5. E.Winnowing, ridging and shelling.

The best source of power for weeding in nursery is

1. A.animal
2. B.man
3. C.machine
4. D.wind
5. E.sun.

Shellers are used to remove

1. A.bracts from grains
2. B.grains from cobs
3. C.husk from grains
4. D.dirt from grains
5. E.cobs from stalks.

Mechanisation would remain uneconomical in West African countries as long as

1. A.farms are small and scattered
2. B.land acquisition remains in the hands of farmers
3. C.basic amenities are inadequate
4. D.machines are not available for farming operations
5. E.extension officers are not provided with transport facilities.

The primary product of ginger is the

1. A.rhizome
2. B.fruit
3. C.seed
4. D.flower
5. E.leaf

The main purpose of including leguminous crops in pastures is to serve as a source of

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

Which of the following is a primary product of forest trees?

1. A.paper
2. B.particle board
3. C.timber
4. D.cardboard
5. E.pulp.

A fungicide is important in maize production because it

1. A.prevents the attack of causative organisms generally
2. B.makes maize seeds more viable
3. C.assists in the control of corn smut
4. D.scares away mammalian pests
5. E.prevents the attack by stem borers.

Yam setts are usually planted with cut surface

1. A.downwards and sloping at 45 degrees
2. B.downwards and vertically at 90 degrees
3. C.upwards and vertically at 90 degrees
4. D.upwards and sloping at 45 degrees
5. E.sideways and sloping at 90 degrees.

The National Tree-planting Campaign in Nigeria is an example of

1. A.regeneration of forest
2. B.afforestation
3. C.taungya farming
4. D.forest reservation
5. E.forest degeneration.

The most devastating and commonest pests of cassava foliage are

1. A.leaf worms
2. B.weaver birds
3. C.rodents
4. D.variegated grasshoppers
5. E.aphids.

Which of the following crops is tolerant to both poor and rich friable soils?

1. A.Onion
2. B.Cocoa
3. C.Tomato
4. D.Cassava
5. E.Rice.

Which of the following plant parts or modification is not suitable for propagation of pastures?

1. A.Stem cuttings
2. B.Seeds
3. C.Leaves
4. D.Stolons
5. E.Rhizomes.

The stages of life cycle of locust are

1. A.egg-larva-pupa-adult
2. B.egg-nymph-adult
3. C.egg-caterpillar-pupa-adult
4. D.egg-nymph-pupa-adult
5. E.egg-larva-nymph.

Fertilization in crops leads to the formation of

1. A.gamete
2. B.pollen grain
3. C.zygote
4. D.pollen tube
5. E.endosperm.

Which of the following is not normally a pasture crop?

1. A.Mucuna
2. B.Centrosema
3. C.Stylosanthes
4. D.Giant star grass
5. E.Guinea grass.

The damage to the stems of maize plants resulting in hollowness and lodging is most likely caused by

1. A.rodents
2. B.grasscutters
3. C.stem borers
4. D.weevils
5. E.thrips.

The planting depth of rice grain is about

1. A.2-4 cm
2. B.6-8 cm
3. C.8-10 cm
4. D.10-12 cm
5. E.12-14 cm.

Which of the following is the botanical name for guinea grass?

1. A.Panicum maximum
2. B.Pennisetum pupureum
3. C.Eleusine indica
4. D.Pennisetum maximum
5. E.Panicum pupureum.

The benefits derived from wildlife conservation practices include the following except

1. A.preservation of rare species of wild animals
2. B.source of food for man
3. C.tourist attraction
4. D.preservation of land for future use
5. E.source of foreign exchange.

Use the diagram (the reproductive system of a hen, parts labelled I to IX). The ovaries are labelled

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

Use the diagram (the reproductive system of a hen, parts labelled I to IX). What is the name of the part labelled VI?

1. A.Infundibulum
2. B.Uterus
3. C.Magnum
4. D.Oviduct
5. E.Isthmus.

Use the diagram (the reproductive system of a hen, parts labelled I to IX). Egg is voided through the part labelled

1. A.I
2. B.III
3. C.V
4. D.VII
5. E.IX

What is the effect of applying pressure on a ring inserted through the nostril of a bull?

1. A.Breaking of the septum
2. B.Reducing the resistance of the bull
3. C.Easing the flow of mucus
4. D.Facilitating the feeding of the bull
5. E.Detecting cows on heat by the bull.

Which of the following statements on ration is not correct?

1. A.Chick ration is used to feed chicks from a day-old to six weeks old
2. B.Growers ration is used to feed growing chicks between the ages of 5 and 17 weeks
3. C.Layer ration is used to feed layers
4. D.Starter ration is used for feeding broiler chicks from day-old to six weeks old
5. E.Finisher ration is for feeding chicks from day-old to market size.

Which of the following is not a pasture legume?

1. A.Pueraria
2. B.Calopogonium
3. C.Centrosema
4. D.Andropogon
5. E.Stylosanthes.

A nutritional deficiency disease of livestock is

1. A.rinderpest
2. B.contagious abortion
3. C.oesteomalacia
4. D.coccidiosis
5. E.tuberculosis.

Which type of soil is usually preferred in terms of chemical properties in siting fish ponds?

1. A.Neutral or alkaline soil
2. B.Very alkaline soil
3. C.Moderately acidic soil
4. D.Peaty soil
5. E.Swampy soil.

The most important advantage of in-breeding is that

1. A.offspring show hybrid vigour
2. B.offspring grow more rapidly
3. C.offspring that can withstand variations of environment is produced
4. D.specific qualities of an animal are preserved and concentrated
5. E.an undesirable recessive character is manifested.

The farm animal whose skin or hide cannot be used for leader production is

1. A.goat
2. B.sheep
3. C.chicken
4. D.cattle
5. E.pig.

An effective way of preventing anaemia in piglets raised under intensive system is to provide them with

1. A.milk supplement
2. B.salt lick
3. C.protein supplement
4. D.drugs containing iron
5. E.roughages.

All the following are components of balance diet except.

1. A.carbohydrate
2. B.mineral and vitamin
3. C.protein
4. D.fats and oils
5. E.sucrose.

Natural immunity against diseases is conferred on the newly born young animal through

1. A.vaccination
2. B.sanitation
3. C.administration of antibiotics
4. D.feeding with colostrum
5. E.administration of drugs.

Which of the following is the reason for smoking fish?

1. A.Removing parasites
2. B.Preserving it
3. C.Increasing putrefaction
4. D.Increasing its quality
5. E.Decreasing its flavour.

Using N'dama bull to mate Muturu cow is an example of

1. A.inbreeding
2. B.selection
3. C.cross-breeding
4. D.introduction
5. E.artificial insemination.

The signs of approaching parturition include the following except

1. A.preparation of nests by the dam
2. B.swelling of the vulva
3. C.enlargement of the mammary glands
4. D.mounting of other animals
5. E.loss of appetite.

Farmers can minimise risks associated with farming business by

1. A.flexible budgeting
2. B.adopting farm assurance policy
3. C.diversification of farming enterprise
4. D.practising monoculture
5. E.sale of products immediately after harvesting.

Farmers often find it difficult to obtain loans from banks for agricultural projects because they

1. A.have no guarantors
2. B.have no collaterals
3. C.lack information on agricultural loans
4. D.lack technical know-how
5. E.have no tax clearance certificate.

Which of the following is not correct about market in agriculture? It is

1. A.the aggregate of contacts between buyers and sellers
2. B.an arena for organising and facilitating business activities
3. C.a number of people in contact with each other for the purpose of buying and selling
4. D.a place for social activities
5. E.a place for solving basic economic problems.

The table shows the profit and loss account of a private farm. In the table above the amount N1,015 represented by X is

1. A.credit
2. B.loss
3. C.depreciation
4. D.loan
5. E.tax

The government operates its extension programme by using the following methods except

1. A.establishment of demonstration plots
2. B.use of wall poster and handbills
3. C.organisation of agricultural shows and farmers festivals
4. D.provision of in-service training for farmers
5. E.provision of rural infrastructure.

The assistance given to farmers by government in form of a reduction in price is generally referred to as

1. A.input
2. B.loan
3. C.credit
4. D.subsidy
5. E.interest.

(a) Define the term land tenure system and give four examples.
(b)(i) Discuss briefly land use decree (ii) State two advantages and two disadvantages of the decree.

(a) What is farm surveying?
(b)(i) List six surveying instruments (ii) Write short notes on any four surveying instruments listed in (i).

(a) Define the term Irrigation.
(b) List six sources of water for irrigation.
(c) Give three reasons why irrigation schemes are necessary in Nigeria.
(d) State two similarities and three differences between sprinkler and surface irrigation.

List and discuss briefly four climatic factors that affect agricultural production in Nigeria.

(a) Explain what is meant by natural grassland.
(b) State five characteristics of natural grassland.
(c) List four grasses and three pasture legumes commonly found in natural grasslands.

(a) Define the term Taungya system.
(b) State five conditions that favour the practice of taungya system in Nigeria.
(c) State two advantages of the system to each of the following (i) farmers (ii) foresters.

Describe briefly the processes of egg formation in poultry.

With the aid of a labelled diagram, describe digestion in a named ruminant.

Write short notes on the following in agricultural production:
(a) land
(b) capital
(c) labour
(d) farm manager.

(a) Define the terms demand and supply and state the laws governing them.
(b) Explain the implications of demand and supply on agricultural production.