Land Preparation

12 Grade 10 Agriculture questions on Land Preparation, with worked marking schemes. 12 questions are available on this topic in full.

1. Question 1

   4 marks

   Outline four factors that determine the depth to which a farmer ploughs a field.

   (4 marks)

   Marking scheme

   Any FOUR, 1 mark each: type of crop to be grown - deep-rooted crops such as cassava need deeper ploughing than shallow-rooted ones; depth and type of the soil - shallow soils are ploughed lightly to avoid bringing up infertile subsoil; implement and power available - a jembe works shallower than a tractor-drawn disc plough; presence of a hardpan that has to be broken; moisture content of the soil at the time of ploughing - very wet or very dry soil limits depth; slope of the land and the risk of erosion. (4 x 1 = 4 marks)

2. Question 2

   1 mark

   After sowing kale seeds in a nursery bed, a farmer presses the soil lightly over the rows with a flat piece of wood. The purpose of this practice is to:

   A. firm the soil around the seeds so that they draw moisture and germinate evenly

   B. increase the depth of the seedbed so that roots grow deeper

   C. open up the soil so that more air reaches the sown seeds

   D. destroy the weed seedlings that have already emerged on the bed

   (1 mark)

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3. Question 3

   2 marks

   Distinguish between primary cultivation and secondary cultivation.

   (2 marks)

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4. Question 4

   1 mark

   A farmer opening up a stony field with old tree stumps in Machakos chooses a disc plough rather than a mouldboard plough. The main reason is that the disc plough:

   A. uses less fuel than any other type of plough

   B. rolls over obstacles instead of being damaged by them

   C. turns the furrow slice over completely and buries all the weeds

   D. cuts the soil so finely that harrowing is not necessary

   (1 mark)

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5. Question 5

   4 marks

   Outline four operations carried out when clearing a new piece of land for cultivation.

   (4 marks)

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6. Question 6

   1 mark

   Which one of the following practices best illustrates minimum tillage?

   A. Burning all crop residues and then digging the whole field with a jembe

   B. Uprooting every weed in the field with a jembe before the rains begin

   C. Ploughing the field twice and then harrowing it before planting

   D. Killing the weeds with a herbicide and planting in narrow slits opened along the rows

   (1 mark)

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7. Question 7

   1 mark

   A farmer in Narok ploughs his maize field soon after harvesting, while the soil is still dry, instead of waiting for the first rains. The main advantage of this practice is that:

   A. The soil pH rises so that the farmer need not apply lime at planting

   B. The dry soil becomes compacted and therefore holds more water when the rains come

   C. All weed seeds in the field are killed permanently by the hot sun

   D. Crop residues and weeds rot and the soil weathers before the planting rains arrive

   (1 mark)

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8. Question 8

   1 mark

   Which one of the following is a tertiary cultivation operation?

   A. Slashing down bush with a panga on a new piece of land

   B. Making ridges on which sweet potato vines will be planted

   C. Turning the furrow slice with a mouldboard plough

   D. Breaking large clods into a fine tilth with a disc harrow

   (1 mark)

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9. Question 9

   3 marks

   Explain three reasons why a farmer growing sweet potatoes in Homa Bay makes ridges before planting.

   (3 marks)

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10. Question 10

    1 mark

    A field in Uasin Gishu has been ploughed to the same depth with a disc plough every season for many years. Maize roots now stop at one level and water stands on the surface after a heavy shower. The implement that should be used to correct this condition is a:

    A. roller

    B. disc harrow

    C. ridger

    D. sub-soiler

    (1 mark)

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11. Question 11

    3 marks

    Explain three advantages of practising minimum tillage on a farm in semi-arid Kitui.

    (3 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any THREE, 1 mark each: the soil stays covered with crop residues, so less moisture is lost through evaporation and the little rain received is conserved; the soil surface is not pulverised, so it is less easily carried away by run-off or wind; less ploughing means less labour, fuel and time, which lowers the cost of production; organic matter and soil structure are maintained because the soil is not repeatedly turned. (3 x 1 = 3 marks)

12. Question 12

    4 marks

    State four reasons why a farmer prepares land before planting maize.

    (4 marks)

    Marking scheme

    Any FOUR, 1 mark each: loosens the soil so that roots penetrate easily and seedlings emerge; kills and buries weeds that would compete with the crop; improves infiltration of water and aeration of the soil; incorporates crop residues and manure into the soil; exposes soil-borne pests and their eggs to the sun and to predators; produces a fine tilth that gives good contact between seed and soil. (4 x 1 = 4 marks)

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