Waec Model Questions Vol1 2021 Agricultural Science Question 7

Practice essay / theory question 7 from the 2021 Waec Model Questions Vol1 Agricultural Science examination. This question covers Crop Pests, Integrated Pest Management, Economic Threshold .

Waec Model Questions Vol1 2021 Agricultural Science Essay / Theory
Topics: Crop Pests Integrated Pest Management Economic Threshold
Question 7 WAEC_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1 • 2021 • AGRICULTURAL_SCIENCE • essay

A farmer in the North Central zone of Nigeria cultivates maize on a 1‑hectare field. The predominant pest affecting the crop is the African stem borer (Chilo partellus).

Question Parts

( a )
Identify the pest and describe its complete life cycle, giving the approximate duration of each stage under typical Nigerian conditions.
( b )
Explain three cultural control methods that can be employed against this pest and discuss the principle behind each method.
( c )
The farmer estimates that each larva causes a 0.5 % loss of the yield of the individual plant it attacks. The average yield on the farm is 2 500 kg ha⁻¹ and the market price of maize is ₦30 kg⁻¹. The field contains 50 000 plants per hectare and the cost of applying an effective insecticide is ₦5 000 ha⁻¹. Calculate the economic threshold (number of larvae per plant) at which the farmer should apply the insecticide. Show all steps of your calculation.

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About This Question

This is Waec Model Questions Vol1 2021 Agricultural Science Question 7. It is one of the essay questions from the 2021 Waec Model Questions Vol1 Agricultural Science examination.

The question covers Crop Pests, Integrated Pest Management, Economic Threshold .

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