AGC 111/F PRACTICAL: #1 DATE: 27/05/2022 MARKS: 25

SURNAME AND INITIALS: Ngaleka E

STUDENT NUMBER:
2 0 2 3 1 2 0 7 5

1. Use the table below to determine which farm has a reliable rainfall if the farmer
intends to grow crops that have an annual water requirement of 370mm/yr.[10]
YEARS FARM A FARM B
Average Years Average Years
Rainfall Rainfall≥ Rainfall Rainfall≥
(mm) mean (mm) mean
2000 600 X X 800 X X
2001 470 - X 200 - -
2002 500 X X 380 - X
2003 440 - X 390 - X
2004 350 - - 460 - X
2005 600 X X 560 X X
2006 530 X X 600 X X
2007 460 - X 350 - -
2008 400 - X 670 X X
2009 420 - X 360 - -
Total 4770 Freq=4/10 Freq=9/10 4770 Freq=4/10 Freq=7/10
Mean 477 40% 90% 477 40% 70%

2. If Range method is used which farm has a better range and what is it? [4]

Answer:

Farm A range=600-350=250mm

Farm B range=800-200=600mm

Farm B has a better farming system than A because it has a high range
AGC 111/F PRACTICAL: #1 DATE: 27/05/2022 MARKS: 25

3. Why is the range method not suitable for determining the reliability of Rainfall? [3]

Answer:

> Because it uses an average number of years using a maximum average and minimum

average without considering other averages which are in between.

> Average method does not measure how much rainfall that can be expected.

> It is not reliable for giving you the exact amount of rainfall expected.

4. If there were two more economically viable crops (better than the one which the farmer

intends to grow) namely Crop A and Crop B (with annual water requirements of 405mm

and 450mm, respectively), which crop will you advise the farmer to choose and why? [8]

Answer:

> Crop A which is 405mm is the most advisable crop to choose because it has less

amount of water required which implies that it can adapt to areas with less rainfall.

> crop A is drought tolerant crop which makes it develop deep root system to counter

both heat and low water levels.

> Since crop A is a drought tolerant crop it grows much quicker than crop B which

reduces long term requirements.

> Suitable conditions produce more profit.

> Crop A use water efficiently.