Theory question 104
Crop Husbandry(a) Distinguish between spacing and thinning in crop production.
(b) Discuss the cultivation of oil palm under the following headings: (i) botanical name; (ii) two varieties; (iii) method of propagation; (iv) soil requirement; (v) spacing on the field; (vi) two diseases.
(c) Enumerate six ways in which forest resources are important to the economy of West Africa.
(d) What is apiculture?
Show the model answer
(a) Spacing is the distance left between plants/rows at planting; thinning is removing excess seedlings after germination to leave the right number per stand.
(b)(i) Elaeis guineensis.
(ii) Any two: Dura; Pisifera; Tenera.
(iii) By seed, raised in a pre-nursery and nursery (after heat treatment to break dormancy) and transplanted at about 12 months.
(iv) Deep, well-drained, fertile loamy soil in a humid area with high rainfall.
(v) About 9 m × 9 m (triangular).
(vi) Any two: Fusarium wilt (vascular wilt); freckle; blast; anthracnose; bud rot.
(c) Any six: timber for building and furniture; foreign exchange from exports; employment; raw materials for paper, plywood and other industries; firewood and charcoal; bushmeat; medicinal plants; tourism/recreation; revenue from licences and taxes.
(d) Apiculture is the keeping of bees for honey, wax and other products.
Two named varieties and two named diseases.