Theory question 105
Pasture and Forage Crops(a)(i) What's natural pasture? (ii) State four characteristics of natural pastures in West Africa.
(b) Discuss the root knot disease of tomato under the following headings: (i) causal organism; (ii) mode of transmission; (iii) two symptoms; (iv) two prevention and control measures.
(c) Distinguish between grafting and budding in plant propagation.
(d) Give two uses of sugarcane.
Show the model answer
(a)(i) Grassland that grows on its own without being planted or managed by man, on which animals graze.
(ii) Any four: low yield and low quality; mostly grasses with few legumes; seasonal (lush in rainy season, dry and fibrous in dry season); contains weeds and poisonous plants; grows on its own; may harbour pests and parasites.
(b)(i) Nematode, Meloidogyne spp. (root knot eelworm).
(ii) Spread through infested soil, water, farm tools, and infected seedlings/roots.
(iii) Galls or knots on the roots; wilting, yellowing and stunted growth; low yield.
(iv) Crop rotation with non-host crops; nematicides/soil fumigation; resistant varieties; clean seedlings and sterilised nursery soil; fallowing/flooding.
(c) Grafting joins a shoot (scion) with several buds onto a rootstock; budding joins only a single bud (with a little bark) onto the stock.
(d) Any two: sugar production; chewing; molasses/animal feed; ethanol/alcohol; bagasse for fuel, paper or fibre board.
Give the scientific name of the nematode in (b)(i).