WAEC Agricultural Science 1999 past questions and answers

The main objective of agriculture is

1. A.income generation
2. B.provision of employment
3. C.food production
4. D.provision of shelter.

Food shortage can be minimised by

1. A.efficient pest control services
2. B.natural hazards
3. C.illegal exportation of farm produce
4. D.hoarding.

Subsistence agriculture is characterised by

1. A.used of machines
2. B.large scale production
3. C.small farm holdings
4. D.intensive use of inputs.

Output is higher in commercial agriculture because of the following reasons except

1. A.adequate finance
2. B.cultivation of large hectares of land
3. C.employment of large labour force
4. D.utilization of complex farm machinery.

The most common factor affecting land use is

1. A.population pressure
2. B.solar radiation
3. C.climatic influence
4. D.type of soil.

Financial assistance from government to the farmers is usually in the following forms except

1. A.loan
2. B.tax
3. C.credit
4. D.subsidy.

Which of the following groups of animals is usually kept in game reserves?

1. A.Cattle, sheep and goats
2. B.Camels, donkeys and horses
3. C.Chickens, ducks and turkeys
4. D.Lions, elephants and leopards.

The following processes in crops are sensitive to day-length except

1. A.fruiting
2. B.growth
3. C.flowering
4. D.branching.

Rain water is made available to crops through

1. A.evaporation
2. B.transpiration
3. C.surface drainage
4. D.root absorption.

Which of the following rocks is formed from shale?

1. A.Marble
2. B.Slate
3. C.Quartzite
4. D.Limestone.

The horizon of a soil profile which encourages the greatest level of microbial activity is

1. A.A-horizon
2. B.B-horizon
3. C.C-horizon
4. D.D-horizon.

The easiest method of determining soil texture in the field is by

1. A.moulding
2. B.sieving
3. C.feeling
4. D.sedimenting.

The type of soil with a particle size of 0.02 to 0.002 mm is

1. A.clay
2. B.silt
3. C.fine sand
4. D.coarse sand.

If urea fertilizer contains 46% nitrogen, calculate the amount of nitrogen in 25 kg bag of fertilizer?

1. A.11.5 kg
2. B.13.5 kg
3. C.21.5 kg
4. D.36.5 kg.

Fertile soil is one which

1. A.is easily drained
2. B.is well aerated
3. C.can produce a good harvest of cowpea
4. D.contain all essential plant nutrients in suitable proportions.

The effects of practising crop rotation include the following except

1. A.maintaining and improving soil fertility
2. B.controlling soil erosion
3. C.preventing the build-up of pests and diseases
4. D.adding humus to the soil.

The method of irrigation suitable for use on a steep slope is

1. A.sprinkler irrigation
2. B.flood
3. C.furrow irrigation
4. D.shadoof.

The main source of power for subsistence agriculture is

1. A.animal
2. B.machine
3. C.electricity
4. D.man.

The most suitable source of power for stationary equipment on the farm is

1. A.machine
2. B.electricity
3. C.animal
4. D.man.

An important farm machine used for coupling many implements is

1. A.disc harrow
2. B.harvester
3. C.tractor
4. D.plough.

Which of the following is the correct order for land preparation?

1. A.land clearing → ploughing → harrowing → ridging
2. B.Land → clearing → harrowing → ploughing → ridging
3. C.Land → clearing → ploughing ridging → harrowing
4. D.Land → clearing → harrowing → ridging → ploughing.

Which of the following surveying equipment is used for measuring angles during farm surveying?

1. A.Theodolite
2. B.Measuring tape
3. C.Gunter's chain
4. D.Abney level.

Which of the following farm practices is not mechanised?

1. A.Planting
2. B.Fertilizer application
3. C.Bush clearing
4. D.Transplanting.

The main aim of mechanised agriculture is

1. A.reducing maturation time for crops
2. B.decreasing number of pests
3. C.having a large land area for cultivation
4. D.reducing cost of production.

The following are necessary operations in maize cultivation except

1. A.weeding
2. B.thinning
3. C.nursery practices
4. D.fertilizer application.

Ginning is a method of processing

1. A.cocoa
2. B.cotton
3. C.oil palm
4. D.rubber.

Ginger is propagated by

1. A.suckers
2. B.rhizomes
3. C.seeds
4. D.tubers.

Which of the following is not correct about Stylosanthes gracilis? It

1. A.is an animal legume
2. B.is propagated by seed
3. C.is drought resistant
4. D.produces nodules.

Which of the following is not a problem of forest management?

1. A.Absence of adequate information on the ecosystems
2. B.Inadequate support from government for the development of forest resources
3. C.Planting different varieties of timber
4. D.Indiscriminate destruction of forest resources by bush fire.

The tree species commonly planted for pulpwood is

1. A.Gmelina
2. B.Cassia
3. C.Albizia
4. D.Tectona.

Root-knot disease in tomatoes is caused by

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

Callosobruchus maculatus is a common pest of

1. A.maize
2. B.cowpea
3. C.rice
4. D.millet.

Gummosis disease of citrus is caused by

1. A.aphids
2. B.fungi
3. C.white flies
4. D.bacteria.

Which of the following weeds is dispersed by wind?

1. A.Pig weed (Boerhavia diffusa)
2. B.Goat weed (Ageratum conizoides)
3. C.Hausa thorns (Acanthospermum hispidum)
4. D.Tridax (Tridax procumbens).

The characteristic symptoms of mosaic disease of crops is usually observed on

1. A.roots
2. B.leaves
3. C.stems
4. D.fruits.

The correct sequence in the processes of crop improvement is

1. A.introduction → selection → breeding
2. B.breeding → selection → introduction
3. C.breeding → introduction → selection
4. D.introduction → breeding → selection

A condition in which a gene does not manifest observable characteristics in the presence of its dominant allele is known as

1. A.dominance
2. B.mutation
3. C.recessiveness
4. D.homozygosity.

Use the diagram (a section of an egg, parts labelled I to VII). The parts orderly labelled as I - IV are

1. A.shell, membrane, air space and albumen
2. B.air space, shell, membrane and albumen
3. C.albumen, air space, shell and membrane
4. D.membrane, albumen, shell and air space.

Use the diagram (a section of an egg, parts labelled I to VII). The nucleus is the part labelled

1. A.IV
2. B.V
3. C.VI
4. D.VII.

Use the diagram (a section of an egg, parts labelled I to VII). The parts labelled V - VII are

1. A.chalaza, yolk and nucleus
2. B.yolk, nucleus and blood vessels
3. C.nucleus, blood vessels and yolk
4. D.nucleus, chalaza and yolk.

The hormone responsible for milk let down in female farm animals is

1. A.testosterone
2. B.follicle stimulating hormone
3. C.oxytocin
4. D.androgen.

The adult male cattle is called

1. A.bull
2. B.ram
3. C.boar
4. D.buck

An advantage of extensive system of rearing goats is

1. A.low labour requirement
2. B.easy control of diseases
3. C.indiscriminate mating
4. D.exposure to adverse weather conditions.

Layers' ration contains more limestone than growers' ration because limestone

1. A.is difficult for the growers to digest
2. B.stimulates layers' appetite
3. C.reduces the acidity in the gut of growers
4. D.supplies sufficient minerals to layers for shell formation.

Which of the following is not a method of improving rangeland?

1. A.Practising continuous grazing
2. B.Routine and regular weeding
3. C.Routine reseeding
4. D.Regular application of fertilizers.

Miracidium is one of the stages in the life cycle of

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

Which of the following is not a symptom of foot and mouth disease of cattle?

1. A.Excessive production of saliva
2. B.Sores on feet and tongue
3. C.Lameness
4. D.Blood stained diarrhoea.

Heavy infestation of liver fluke causes poor absorption of fats in livestock by

1. A.blocking bile ducts thus preventing flow of bile
2. B.destroying fat-digesting enzymes
3. C.reducing ingestion of fats
4. D.inhibiting the action of the digestive enzymes.

Methods of preserving fish include the following except

1. A.boiling
2. B.drying
3. C.smoking
4. D.salting.

Which of the following fishing gears can be used for total harvesting of pond?

1. A.Hook and line
2. B.Harpoon
3. C.Basket trap
4. D.Dragnet.

The practice of mating closely-related animals is called

1. A.pen mating
2. B.cross breeding
3. C.out breeding
4. D.in breeding.

The natural resource utilized for production is

1. A.capital
2. B.management
3. C.labour
4. D.land.

An increase in supply of agricultural produce can be caused by the following factors except

1. A.reduced cost of production
2. B.favourable weather conditions
3. C.reduced taxation
4. D.consumers buying less products.

Which of the following constitutes subsidy in agricultural enterprise?

1. A.Supply of fertilizer to farmers at reduced price
2. B.Borrowing of money from a thrift society
3. C.Provision of money to farmers through commercial banks
4. D.Provision of services through co-operative societies.

Records of money transactions in a farming business are termed

1. A.farm inputs
2. B.farm accounts
3. C.capital
4. D.farm liabilities.

Calculate the salvage value of a tractor with a depreciation value of ₦10,580.00 and initial cost of ₦50,000.00 after a year of use.

1. A.₦10,580.00
2. B.₦30,290.00
3. C.₦39,420.00
4. D.₦60,580.00

The main processes involved in the marketing of cotton include the following except

1. A.weeding
2. B.processing
3. C.grading
4. D.packaging.

Which of the following methods of agricultural extension aims at reaching a large number of farmers at the same time?

1. A.Mass method
2. B.Group method
3. C.Individual method
4. D.Contact method.

Enumerate four possible solutions to each of the following problems of agricultural development in your country:
(a) poor transportation
(b) inadequate farm inputs
(c) crude tools
(d) inadequate storage facilities.

(a) List four farming operations requiring electric power.
(b) State three advantages and three disadvantages for each of the following farm power (i) electricity (ii) animal.

(a) State two each of (i) climatic, (ii) biotic and (iii) edaphic factors affecting distribution and production of crops and animals in your country.
(b) State three climatic and two soil requirements for optimum production of each of yam and tomato.

(a) Describe briefly six ways in which soil organisms aid the formation of soils.
(b) State four ways in which soil organisms improve soils for crops growth.

Describe briefly the production of cowpea under the following headings:
(a) land preparation.
(b) planting.
(c) fertilizer application.
(d) weeding.
(e) harvesting.
(f) processing.
(g) storage.

(a) State six aims of crop improvement.
(b) Explain briefly 'introduction' as a method of crop improvement

(a) List four breeds of goats.
(b) Discuss briefly the extensive system of rearing any ruminant.
(c) State three reasons for rearing goats.
(d) List three common diseases of cattle.

(a) State six functions of protein in the body of a farm animal.
(b) List five (i) animal-sources protein (ii) plant-protein source used in livestock feeding.

(a) Explain briefly the term 'farm valuation'.
(b) Prepare a Profit and Loss Account for a farm from the following information: maize seeds for planting ₦25,000.00; fertilizers used ₦14,800.00; pesticides ₦20,000.00; purchase of seed yams ₦50,000.00; tractor hire ₦60,000.00; transport cost ₦10,000.00; workers' wages ₦40,000.00; sale of maize cobs ₦250,000.00; yam tubers sold ₦200,000.00; opening valuation ₦440,000.00; closing valuation ₦200,000.00.

(a) Explain the term extension in agriculture.
(b) State eight functions of an extension agent.
(c) List six problems of agricultural extension in your country.