Agricultural Practical Specimens 2024 F (Clay Soil) G F (Clay Soil) G F (Clay Soil) G

(Loamy Soil) H (Loamy Soil) H (Loamy Soil) H

(2a) The provision of specimens, materials and (Sandy Soil) (Sandy Soil) (Sandy Soil)
equipment for the test is your responsibility. smooth/ smooth/ smooth/
(2bi) Where a specimen is not readily available in powdery to powdery to powdery to
sufficient quantity. It should be shared among small touch touch touch
groups of candidates. intermediate/nei intermediate/nei intermediate/nei
(2bii) Each candidate should be provided with the ther smooth nor ther smooth nor ther smooth nor
following specimens labeled accordingly: coarse coarse coarse
A – Ranging Pole; B – Arrow; C – Measuring Tape; D – coarse/gritty to coarse/gritty to coarse/gritty to
Wooden Peg. touch touch touch
• For specimens E, F and G, you are requested to get sticky when wet sticky when wet sticky when wet
some quantity of dry sand, dry clay (ground) and dry not sticky when not sticky when not sticky when
loam (ground) respectively. wet not sticky wet not sticky wet not sticky
• Get three capillary tubes, label each of them E, F and when wet when wet when wet
G. • Close the lower ends of each of the capillary tubes a roll was a roll was a roll was
with a plug of cotton wool. produced produced produced
• Put the: (i) dry sand into the capillary tube labelled formed a weak formed a weak formed a weak
E; (ii) dry clay (ground) into the capillary tube labelled roll no roll was roll no roll was roll no roll was
F; (iii) dry loam (ground) into the capillary tube labelled produced produced produced
G. moderately moderately
• Shake or tap the ends of the capillary tubes to make plastic not plastic not
sure that the particles are tightly packed/settled in plastic plastic
each of the capillary tubes. ne/tiny grains a
• Get a water trough and put water in it until it is half ring was formed
full. • Set the capillary tubes securely in the trough. ne/tiny grains a
• Leave the setup to stand for 24 hours before the ring was formed
examination.
Specimen:
H – Maize Weevil; I – Bean beetle; J – Grasshopper; K – (b) Crops that can be grown on specimen H (Sandy
Cotton stainer; L – Tilapia (whole and fresh); M – Hay; soil)
N – Fish meal.

Explanations for some of them Groundnut Cowpea Soybean Millet Coconut Oil
Take a sample each of specimens F (CLAY SOIL), G palm Cotton Sugarcane Guinea corn Pigeon pea
(LOAMY SOIL) and H (SANDY SOIL) and rub each Watermelon
between the thumb and forenger. Put a sample of (c)(i) Preferred specimen for maize production -
each of the specimens on your palm and add a little Specimen G (Loamy soil)
amount of water succulent to wet it. Mix each sample (ii) Reasons why specimen G (Loamy soil is
with water. preferred for maize production)
Attempt producing a roll and then a ring.  It has good
(a) Tabulate your observations from the experiment.  aeration Contains
(b) Name two  high organic matter
 Leaching of nutrients is minimized
crops that can be grown on specimen H. (c) (i)
 Easy to cultivate
Which of specimens F,G, and H is preferred for
 Has a crumby structure
maize productions? (ii) Give three reasons for your
 Has good water retention capacity
answers in c
 Encourages microbial activities
Explanation
 It is well-drained
(a) Tabulation of observation from the
Experiment
Study specimens G (GRASSHOPPER), H (BEAN
BEETLE), carefully and answer the following
questions. (a)(i) Classify specimens G and H according
 to their feeding habits. (ii) Name one part of crops
damaged by each of specimens G and H. (ii) State
three ways in which specimen H is economically
important.
Explanation
(a)(i) Classification of specimen G (Grasshopper) and
H (Bean beetle) based on their feeding habits;
Specimen G (Grasshopper): biting and chewing insect
pest Specimen H (Bean beetle): boring insect pest
(ii) Part of crops damaged by specimens G and H;
G (Grasshopper): Leaf, young shoot, succulent stem H
(Bean beetle): Seeds
(iii) Ways in which specimen H (Bean beetle) is
economically important
1. Destroys viability of seeds/destroys cotyledon.
2. Reduces market value of crop/quality of crop.
3. Increases farmer's cost of production. Reduces the
quantity of stored produce (seed)
(a). State three effects of maize weevil on maize grains.
(b) Explain briefly five general control measures of
insect pests of grains in storage
(a) Effects of maize weevil on maize grains are: (i)
destroys the endosperm, thereby, reducing the food
value grains. ( (ii) reduces viability of infested grains as
the embryos are damaged. (iii) reduces market value of
infested grains. (iv) predisposes infested grains to
other pathogenic microorganisms attack. (v) reduces
the quantity of the maize grains and produce.
(b) General control measures of insect pests of grains
in storage are: (i) Early harvesting of grains such as
maize, guinea corn and cowpea reduces the level of
infestation and damage in the field. (ii) Proper cleaning
and fumigation of sores before grains are stored helps
to reduce the level of infestation and damage. (iii)
Storage of maize -cobs with or without the husks and
guinea corn heads over re places where they are
regularly smoked has been found to be selective in
controlling the insect pests (iv) Storage and fumigation
of she in silos or sealed polythene bags/ containers. (v)
maize cob stored in cribs and unthreshed guinea corn
heads in rhumbus should be treated with insecticides
such as Actellic 25 dust or liquid, (vi) Grains should be
dried to reduce their moisture content to the desired
level to kill the eggs and larva of pests.
(a) Give three reasons for stocking K (TILAPIA) and L
(CATFISH) together in a pond.
Explanation
a) Reasons for stocking specimens K(Tilapia) and
L(Catfish) together in a pond:
1. Tilapia and catfish can co-exist successfully in
ponds,
2. Tilapia and catfish have different feeding habits,
3. Tilapia is herbivorous while catfish is carnivorous,
4. Tilapia is a surface feeder while catfish is a bottom
feeder,
5. Catfish checks/controls the population of tilapia
which multiplies at a very fast rate and could
overpopulate the pond,
6. Optimizing farmers' income/ harvest,
7. To ensure adequate utilization of the pond's space.
(b) Fishing gears used for harvesting specimens K
(Tilapia) and L (Catfish) in a pond: 1 Hook and line, 2
Fish trap, 3 Fishing gourd, 4 Use of nets e.g seine
net, drag net, scoop net, cast net, shying
spear/harpoons basket
Study carefully the experimental set-ups below and
use them to answer the following questions
(a) What is the aim of the experiment for which
the apparatus has been set-up? (b) List the
experimental set-ups in the order which as
risen through the soil samples, starting with
the highest. (C) List six items of apparatus used
in the experimental set-up (d) Describe briefly
the procedure used in setting up
the experiment
Explanation
(a) The aim of the experimental set up is to compare /
determine and measure the capillarity of rise in water
of different types of soils.
(b) The rise in water is in the following order:
Specimen A- highest- loam, Specimen B - higher - Clay
Specimen C-lowest- sand (c)
Apparatus used in the experimental set up are:
a large beaker / basin/dish/trough. 3 capillary tubes/
glass tubes
Soil samples (use the given sample here). Water
Cotton wool clamps/ retort stands
(c) Method used:
Take three glass tubes and plug each with cotton wool.
Fill each tube with dry samples of clayey, loamy and
sandy soils respectively. Fix the three tubes in an
upright position with clamps Get the three glass tubes
immersed in a trough of water, Allow to stand for the
required time. Watch the upward movement into the
soil samples and record your observations,