neco 2018 agricultural_science | Practical

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Question 1 View Details
A farmer wishes to evaluate the effect of intercropping maize (Zea mays) with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) on the incidence of the stem borer (Chilo partellus) compared with sole maize cropping.
Question Parts
(a)
Outline a suitable field experiment, specifying (i) the layout of the plots, (ii) the number of replications required, and (iii) the data that should be recorded during the trial.
(b)
During the 8‑week trial the following total numbers of stem‑borer larvae were counted from ten plants in each replicate. Sole maize: Rep 1 = 45, Rep 2 = 50, Rep 3 = 48. Intercrop (maize + cowpea): Rep 1 = 30, Rep 2 = 28, Rep 3 = 32. Calculate:
(c)
Identify two major sources of error that could affect the reliability of the results and suggest one practical way to minimise each error.
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Question 2 View Details
A soil sample from a cultivated field was analysed for its gravimetric moisture content at field capacity and at the wilting point.
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the gravimetric water content (as a percentage) for the soil at field capacity and at the wilting point. Use the data below: - Fresh weight at field capacity = 560 g, oven‑dry weight = 500 g. - Fresh weight at wilting point = 540 g, oven‑dry weight = 500 g.
(b)
The bulk density of the soil is 1.3 g cm⁻³. Determine:
() Volumetric water content at field capacity (m³ m⁻³).
() Available water capacity in mm per metre depth of soil.
(c)
Briefly explain how the calculated available water capacity influences crop water management decisions on the farm.
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Question 3 View Details
A farmer is comparing two hand tools for preparing a 10 m² garden plot: a hand hoe and a garden fork. The soil moisture condition is recorded as either “dry” (water content ≈ 10 %) or “moderately moist” (≈ 20 %). The following observations were made during repeated trials: | Tool | Soil condition | Time taken for 10 m² (seconds) | |------|----------------|--------------------------------| | Hand hoe | Dry | 180, 195, 210 | | Hand hoe | Moderately moist | 210, 225, 240 | | Garden fork | Dry | 150, 165, 180 | | Garden fork | Moderately moist | 180, 195, 210 | Using this data, answer the questions below.
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the mean time taken for each tool under each soil condition.
(b)
Determine the average rate of soil preparation (m² per minute) for each tool‑condition combination.
(c)
Based on the rates, recommend which tool is more efficient for each soil condition and justify your choice.
(d)
List two possible sources of error in the experiment and suggest one precaution to minimise each.
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Question 4 View Details
A small diesel‑powered tractor is used for ploughing a field of 2.5 ha. The tractor’s engine power is 15 kW and its fuel consumption at full load is 5 L h⁻¹. Under average field conditions the operator records a field capacity of 0.4 ha h⁻¹. Fuel price is ₦200 per litre. Additional data: at a tyre pressure of 30 kPa the tractor consumes 5 L h⁻¹; increasing the tyre pressure to 45 kPa reduces fuel consumption by 12 %. Answer the questions below.
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the total time required to plough the whole field at the recorded capacity.
(b)
Determine the total fuel consumed for the operation and the total fuel cost.
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