neco model questions vol1 2025 agricultural_science | Practical

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Question 1 View Details
A field of mixed crops was surveyed for insect pests using a sweep‑net method. Ten sweeps were made across the field and the following numbers of insects were recorded: | Species | Number captured | |---------|-----------------| | Aphids | 48 | | Leaf‑hoppers | 27 | | Beetles | 15 | | Moths | 10 | | Others | 5 | Using this data, answer the following:
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the percentage composition of each species in the total catch.
(b)
Identify the dominant pest species and explain why it is considered dominant in this field.
(c)
Suggest two appropriate integrated pest‑management (IPM) measures to control the dominant species.
(d)
State one probable source of error in the sweep‑net method and how it could affect the results.
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Question 2 View Details
A soil sample was collected from a field to determine its physical properties. The following data were obtained from the laboratory: - Dry mass of the soil sample (after oven‑drying at 105 °C for 24 h): 560 g - Volume of the soil core taken for the sample: 1000 cm³ - After saturation and drainage, the mass of the soil plus water retained was 720 g. - After further drying to the permanent wilting point, the mass of the soil plus water was 640 g. Using this information, answer the following questions:
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the bulk density (ρb) of the soil in g cm⁻³.
(b)
Determine the following water contents (expressed as % w/w): (i) Field capacity (FC) – water retained after drainage. (ii) Permanent wilting point (PWP).
(c)
Calculate the available water capacity (AWC) of the soil in mm (depth of water per metre of soil).
(d)
Based on the AWC obtained, comment on the suitability of this soil for maize production, which requires at least 100 mm of readily available water during the growing season.
(e)
List two important precautions that should be observed when performing the gravimetric water‑content determination.
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Question 3 View Details
A farmer wants to compare the performance of two hand tools – a hoe and a digging fork – for loosening soil in a garden plot measuring 20 m × 10 m. The farmer carries out timed trials on three separate days for each tool and records the area prepared and the time taken as shown in the table. | Tool | Day | Area prepared (m²) | Time taken (min) | |------|-----|--------------------|------------------| | Hoe | 1 | 150 | 30 | | Hoe | 2 | 180 | 35 | | Hoe | 3 | 160 | 32 | | Fork | 1 | 120 | 28 | | Fork | 2 | 130 | 30 | | Fork | 3 | 125 | 29 | Using the data, answer the following:
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the average rate of work (in m² min⁻¹) for the hoe and for the digging fork over the three days.
(b)
State which tool is more productive based on the average rates obtained in part (a).
(c)
If the farmer needs to prepare a field of 0.5 ha (5 000 m²) using the more productive tool, estimate the time required, assuming the same average rate as in part (a). Express the answer in hours and minutes.
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Question 4 View Details
A farmer is evaluating the purchase of a 15‑horsepower (hp) tractor to operate a 3‑point‑hitch‑mounted disc plough for preparing a 10‑hectare field. The plough has a working width of 1.2 m. The tractor can maintain a forward speed of 5 km h⁻¹ in the field. Because of turning, overlap and other losses, the overall field efficiency is 75 %. Fuel consumption of the tractor at this load is 5 L h⁻¹ and diesel costs ₦250 per litre. Manual labour cost for preparing the same field with a hand plough is ₦1 200 per hectare. Additional data: - Purchase price of the tractor: ₦1 200 000. - Service life: 5 years (straight‑line depreciation). - Annual maintenance cost: 5 % of the purchase price. - The tractor will be used only for field preparation on 120 days per year. Using the information above, answer the following:
Question Parts
(a)
Calculate the field capacity (in hectares per hour) of the tractor‑plough combination.
(b)
Determine the total fuel cost for preparing the 10‑hectare field once.
(c)
Compute the total cost per hectare of using the tractor for one season, including fuel, depreciation and annual maintenance. Assume straight‑line depreciation and that the tractor is used only for this operation each day.
(d)
Compare the tractor cost per hectare with the manual labour cost (₦1 200 ha⁻¹) and advise whether the purchase is economically justified for the first five years. Provide a brief justification.
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