neco model questions vol1 2020 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 pest (Chilo partellus) in a smallholder field.
Question Parts
(a)
Propose a practical experimental layout that will allow a reliable comparison between sole‑maize and maize‑cowpea intercropping. State the number of replicates, approximate plot size for each replicate and the variables that must be measured.
(b)
During the 8‑week observation period the following numbers of stem‑borer larvae were recorded per plot: - Sole‑maize plots (average of 3 replicates): 48, 52, 55 - Intercropped plots (average of 3 replicates): 30, 28, 32 Calculate the percentage reduction in mean stem‑borer infestation in the intercropped system relative to sole‑maize.
(c)
List two possible sources of error that could affect the reliability of the results and suggest one method to minimise each.
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Question 2 View Details
A soil sample was collected from a farm field at three depths (0–15 cm, 15–30 cm and 30–45 cm). The following gravimetric data were obtained after oven‑drying at 105 °C for 24 h. Depth (cm) | Wet mass (g) | Dry mass (g) 0–15 | 250 | 210 15–30 | 240 | 200 30–45 | 230 | 190 The bulk density of the 0–45 cm profile was measured as 1.35 g cm⁻³. Assume a particle density of 2.65 g cm⁻³.
Question Parts
(a)
Determine the gravimetric moisture content (%) for each layer.
(b)
Convert the gravimetric moisture contents to volumetric moisture contents (%) using the bulk density. Show the formula used and the calculation for each layer.
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Question 3 View Details
A farmer uses a wooden hand‑hoe for shallow tillage. During a trial the following data were recorded: - The force applied by the farmer on the handle was measured as 120 N. - The handle was held at an angle of 45° to the ground while the hoe was pulled forward. - The distance covered in one tillage pass was 5.0 m. - The recommended minimum work required to achieve satisfactory soil loosening for a pass of this length is 600 J. Using the data above, answer the following:
Question Parts
(a)
Determine the horizontal component of the applied force that actually does work in moving the hoe forward.
(b)
Calculate the work done by the farmer in one tillage pass.
(c)
State whether the work done meets the recommended minimum of 600 J and justify your answer.
(d)
Suggest one practical modification to the hand‑hoe or its use that could increase the work done per pass, and explain briefly how it would help.
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Question 4 View Details
A small motorised threshing machine is being evaluated for its performance on paddy. The following data were obtained during a one‑hour test run: - Fuel consumption: 0.80 L of diesel. - Diesel price: ₦180 per litre. - Energy content of diesel: 38 MJ L⁻¹. - Quantity of paddy processed: 150 kg (moisture content 12 %). - Specific mechanical energy required to thresh paddy at this moisture level: 0.5 kJ kg⁻¹. - The machine’s rated engine power is 5 kW. Using the information above, answer the questions that follow:
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the total energy supplied to the engine from the diesel consumed during the test (in megajoules).
(b)
Determine the total mechanical energy required to thresh the 150 kg of paddy (in kilojoules).
(c)
Compute the overall energy efficiency of the threshing operation (percentage).
(d)
Calculate the cost of processing one kilogram of paddy (in naira).
(e)
Suggest two practical measures that could be adopted to improve the overall efficiency of the threshing operation, and briefly explain how each measure would help.
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