Theory question 104
Land Preparation and Cultural Practices(a) A farmer intends to cultivate sorghum on a farmland measuring 300 m by 150 m at a seed rate of 60 kg per hectare. If sorghum requires NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer at the rate of 20 kg per hectare, calculate the: (i) area of farmland in hectares. (ii) quantity of sorghum seeds required for planting. (iii) quantity of fertilizer required.
(b)(i) State two differences between budding and grafting in vegetative propagation. (ii) Mention four crops that could be propagated by budding.
(c) Name two groups of farm animals each that should be fed with: (i) production ration; (ii) maintenance ration.
Show the model answer
(a)(i) 300 × 150 = 45,000 m² = 4.5 ha.
(ii) 4.5 × 60 = 270 kg of seed.
(iii) 4.5 × 20 = 90 kg of NPK 15:15:15.
(b)(i) Any two: budding uses a single bud as scion, grafting uses a shoot with several buds; budding is simpler and more economical of scion material; in budding the bud is inserted under the bark (T or patch), in grafting stock and scion are cut and joined; budding is done on young, thin stocks.
(ii) Any four: citrus (orange, lemon); rubber; mango; avocado; cocoa; rose; cashew.
(c)(i) Production ration: pregnant or lactating animals; growing/fattening animals; laying birds; working animals; breeding males.
(ii) Maintenance ration: dry (non-lactating, non-pregnant) adults; mature animals not in production; idle work animals.
1 ha = 10,000 m².