WAEC Agricultural Science 1995 past questions and answers

The most important factor that determines the rate of agricultural development in a country is the

1. A.readiness of farmers to adopt viable agricultural research results
2. B.quantity of herbicides used in the country
3. C.number of machinery available in the country
4. D.provision of raw materials for industries
5. E.number of people involved in agriculture.

A characteristic feature of subsistence agriculture is

1. A.supply of labour by farm families
2. B.wholesale of farm harvest
3. C.purchasing of seeds for planting
4. D.diseases' control.

Which of the following will retain the greatest amount of water?

1. A.Clay
2. B.Loam
3. C.Sandy loam
4. D.Sand
5. E.Silt.

The most common soil mineral found in all crystalline rocks and a main constituent of granite and sandstone is

1. A.biotite
2. B.quartz
3. C.mica
4. D.granite
5. E.basalt.

The factors affecting formation of soil include the following except

1. A.organisms
2. B.time
3. C.topography
4. D.catena
5. E.climate.

Inhibition of root and bark development, fruiting and seed formation in crops is due to the deficiency of

1. A.phosphorus
2. B.boron
3. C.nitrogen
4. D.chlorine
5. E.molybdenum

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

1. A.Enrichment of soil with animal dung
2. B.Exposure of soil to erosion
3. C.Destruction of soil structure
4. D.Increase in soil acidity
5. E.Reduced rate of water percolation.

In underground drainage

1. A.ditches are constructed to remove excess water
2. B.furrows in which water collects are made
3. C.water seeps into the tiles to reach an outlet where water is disposed
4. D.water is pumped through underground perforated pipes to crops
5. E.ditches are dug from a source of water to the farmland.

Which of the following is not an edaphic factor affecting agricultural production?

1. A.Soil pH
2. B.Soil texture
3. C.Predators
4. D.Soil structure
5. E.Soil type

A metamorphic limestone is

1. A.marble
2. B.gneiss
3. C.quartzite
4. D.schist
5. E.shale.

A soil with pH2 can be described as

1. A.moderately acidic
2. B.moderately alkaline
3. C.neutral
4. D.highly alkaline
5. E.highly acidic

Which of the following will be responsible for the poor yield of fertile soil in a high rainfall area?

1. A.Leaching of soil nutrients
2. B.Very low pH value of land
3. C.Lack of soil microbes
4. D.High alkalinity of soil
5. E.Erosion of the soil.

Crop rotation has the following effects on the soil except

1. A.maintenance of soil fertility
2. B.reducing concentration of soil pests
3. C.improving soil structure
4. D.reducing soil erosion
5. E.predisposing soil to leaching.

Flood irrigation is mainly used in

1. A.arid area
2. B.subtropical area
3. C.tropical area
4. D.sloppy area
5. E.savanna area.

The diagram is a longitudinal-section of the oil palm fruit (parts labelled I to V). The part containing raw palm oil is labelled

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

The diagram is a longitudinal-section of the oil palm fruit (parts labelled I to V). The part mainly used for fuel is labelled

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

The diagram is a longitudinal-section of the oil palm fruit (parts labelled I to V). The part labelled IV is crushed and pressed to produce

1. A.palm oil
2. B.palm wine
3. C.palm kernel oil
4. D.fibre
5. E.shells

Which of the following is not a reason for preferring rotational grazing to continuous grazing?

1. A.Avoiding build-up of livestock pests
2. B.Obtaining uniform quality of herbage
3. C.Encourage persistence of desired species
4. D.Breaking the life-cycle of some pests
5. E.Avoiding excessive amount of organic manuring.

The study and management of forests and forest resources is known as

1. A.agro forestry
2. B.taungya
3. C.wildlife
4. D.forestry
5. E.silviculture.

The most suitable soil for cultivating yam is

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

Jute, cotton and sisal are

1. A.oil crops
2. B.perennial crops
3. C.fibre crops
4. D.vegetable crops
5. E.ornamental

Which of the following diseases of crops causes stunting in maize?

1. A.Blast
2. B.Rosette
3. C.Blight
4. D.Streak
5. E.Smut

When individual crops with desired characteristic mostly favoured by the environment are chosen for breeding this type of breeding is referred to as

1. A.introduction
2. B.hybridization
3. C.line-breeding
4. D.selection
5. E.cross-breeding.

Molasses is a major by-product obtained after the processing of

1. A.kenaf
2. B.sugarcane
3. C.cassava
4. D.pawpaw
5. E.guinea corn.

Rice bran is usually obtained from the paddy after

1. A.winnowing and boiling
2. B.threshing and winnowing
3. C.parboiling and threshing
4. D.harvesting and milling
5. E.milling and polishing.

Yams stored in a barn should be inspected at least once a week to

1. A.remove rotten tubers
2. B.remove sprouts from yam tubers
3. C.prevent termite attack
4. D.prevent mouldiness in yam
5. E.remove sprouts and rotten tubers.

A major routine operation in cowpea production which normally starts from flowering stage is

1. A.weekly spraying with insecticides
2. B.folial application of liquid fertilizer
3. C.application of herbicides
4. D.routine application of NPK granulated fertilizers
5. E.timely harvesting of pods.

The mesocarp of an oil palm fruit is the

1. A.nut
2. B.kernel
3. C.shell
4. D.seed
5. E.pulp

Blackarm is a bacterial disease of

1. A.rice
2. B.cotton
3. C.citrus
4. D.cocoa
5. E.tobacco

The female sex hormone that is responsible for oestrus in farm animals is called

1. A.prolactin
2. B.progesterone
3. C.oxytocin
4. D.oestrogen
5. E.androgen

The fertility of the soil is an important factor in the selection of site for a fish pond because a fertile soil will

1. A.encourage the growth of trees within the pond
2. B.stimulate growth of lower plants which are sources of food to fish
3. C.add minerals to the water for the fishes' resistance to diseases
4. D.prevent the pond from drying up
5. E.lower the temperature of pond water for the survival of fish

Air sacs are present in

1. A.poultry
2. B.cattle
3. C.rabbit
4. D.goat
5. E.sheep.

The gestation period in days of a sow is

1. A.30
2. B.42
3. C.114
4. D.165
5. E.180

The castrated male cattle is referred to as

1. A.bull
2. B.heifer
3. C.castrate
4. D.wether
5. E.steer

The amount of livestock feed needed to prevent either an increase or a decrease in live weight of an animal is referred to as

1. A.maintenance ration
2. B.balance ration
3. C.weaners ration
4. D.production ration
5. E.breeders ration.

The water-snail is important in the life-cycle of

1. A.roundworm
2. B.tapeworm
3. C.liver fluke
4. D.coccidium
5. E.tick

Control of water level in a fish pond with minimal loss of fish can be achieved with the aid of

1. A.wooden panels only
2. B.monk with panels, screens and outlet channel
3. C.wooden panel and screen
4. D.monk and outlet channel
5. E.screen and monk.

Use the diagram (a digestive system with parts labelled I to IX). The diagram represents the digestive system of a

1. A.bull
2. B.ewe
3. C.rabbit
4. D.sow
5. E.cock

Use the diagram (a digestive system with parts labelled I to IX). What is the main function of the part labelled II?

1. A.Crushing of food particles
2. B.Transportation of food nutrients
3. C.Mixing of food particles
4. D.Temporary storage of food
5. E.Production of digestive enzymes

Use the diagram (a digestive system with parts labelled I to IX). The parts labelled VII are the

1. A.cloaca
2. B.ileum
3. C.vent
4. D.duodenum.
5. E.caeca

Use the diagram (a digestive system with parts labelled I to IX). The proventriculus is labelled

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

Use the diagram (a digestive system with parts labelled I to IX). The part responsible for the grinding of food is labelled

1. A.III
2. B.IV
3. C.V
4. D.VII
5. E.VIII

Male spermatozoa is produced in the

1. A.penis
2. B.testicles
3. C.urethra
4. D.epididymis
5. E.prostrate gland.

The main function of ground maize in livestock feed is for

1. A.providing energy
2. B.body building
3. C.strong bone formation
4. D.blood clotting
5. E.addition of bulk

The discontinuation of feeding young animal with milk is known as

1. A.weaning
2. B.lactation
3. C.creep feeding
4. D.sucking
5. E.gestation.

N'dama cattle are well adapted to West Africa mainly because the breed

1. A.can withstand a long period of drought
2. B.is resistant to trypanosomiasis
3. C.can feed well on poor quality forages
4. D.can withstand high humidity
5. E.is tolerant to poor management.

The anti-sterility vitamin in livestock nutrition is vitamin

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

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

1. A.High palatability
2. B.High nutritive value
3. C.High digestibility
4. D.Low leaf to stem ratio
5. E.High resistance to trampling.

The mode of infection of rinderpest disease in cattle is through

1. A.feeding
2. B.drinking water
3. C.a vector
4. D.inhalation
5. E.sexual contact

Which of the following characteristics is not normally considered in the selection of animals for breeding?

1. A.Fertility
2. B.Growth rate
3. C.Resistance to diseases
4. D.Milk quality and quantity
5. E.Horn size.

Land in agricultural business is said to be a durable asset. This means land

1. A.value is realized over several years
2. B.will yield nothing except through cropping
3. C.can be generated through reclamation
4. D.can only be used for a short period of time
5. E.is much more valuable than labour and capital.

The quantity of rice that an individual is able to buy during a given period of time is simply the individual's

1. A.supply of rice
2. B.demand for rice
3. C.elastic limit for rice
4. D.preference for rice
5. E.purchasing power.

The major difference between loan and subsidy is that

1. A.subsidy is repayable while loan is not
2. B.both cannot be available to the farmer at the same time
3. C.loan is provided by government only while subsidy is not
4. D.subsidy is expensive to obtain but loan is not
5. E.loan is repayable while subsidy is not.

The loss in value of an asset due to wear and tear in the course of its use is known as

1. A.depreciation
2. B.salvage value
3. C.appreciation
4. D.net worth
5. E.evaluation.

Farm-gate price is usually obtained through

1. A.the producer
2. B.middlemen
3. C.commodity boards
4. D.co-operatives
5. E.wholesalers.

Which of the following is not a method or agent of disseminating agricultural information?

1. A.Individual contact
2. B.Agricultural programmes
3. C.Marketing channels
4. D.Agricultural finance
5. E.Co-operative societies.

(a) List six problems of agricultural development in Nigeria.
(b) State five possible solutions to the problems of agricultural development listed in (a).
(c) Explain five ways in which inadequate storage and processing facilities have affected agricultural development in Nigeria.

Write short notes on each of the following:
(a) tractors
(b) incubators
(c) sprayers
(d) shellers.

With the aid of a labelled diagram, describe briefly the nitrogen cycle.

(a)(i) Explain the term surface drainage. (ii) List three disadvantages of surface drainage.
(b)(i) Define irrigation (ii) State two aims of irrigation (iii) List five problems associated with irrigation.

(a) Discuss briefly the rosette disease of groundnut under the following headings: (i) causal organism; (ii) symptoms; (iii) method of transmission; (iv) damage done; (v) preventive and control measures.
(b) Assuming the spacing of a vegetable crop per stand is 30 cm x 30 cm, calculate the plant population expected in a portion of land measuring 60 m x 30 m.

(a) Give two examples of crops belonging to each of the following groups of crops: (i) cereals, (ii) roots and tubers (iii) legumes (iv) vegetables. (v) fruits. (vi) beverages (vii) fibres. (viii) oil crops.
(b) Discuss briefly the production of tomato under the following headings (i) sowing method. (ii) transplanting (iii) varieties. (iv) harvesting.

In a tabular form, state:
(a) four food nutrients in livestock production;
(b) two sources of each food nutrient stated in (a).
(c) two functions of each nutrient stated in (a).

(a) List ten tools or equipment used in a dairy cattle farm.
(b) Name three harmful contaminants of milk in dairy farm.
(c) Explain briefly three precautions which must be taken in order to obtain or produce clean milk.

(a)(i) Explain marketing in agriculture. (ii) Mention five stages involved in marketing agricultural produce.
(b) Describe briefly four agents of marketing.

(a) What is Agricultural Extension?
(b) Enumerate seven roles of an Agricultural Extension Worker.