CSEC Agricultural Science Paper 2 May/June 2011 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers

Name the part of the plant that is used for propagating yam.

The plot of yam becomes heavily infested with weeds. State ONE effect this is likely to have on the production of yam.

Table 1 shows the results of the experiment conducted by the agronomist.

TABLE 1:

THE EFFECT OF SOIL COMPACTION ON TUBER YIELD IN YAM

Describe the relationship between soil compaction and tuber yield, shown in Table 1.

A farmer attempts to till a compacted soil with a garden fork but he is unsuccessful. Recommend ONE tillage implement that can be used to break up the compacted layer.

State TWO breeding methods used in rabbit production.

To improve production of the next generation, the farmer decides to select rabbits showing high growth rates. Suggest TWO OTHER qualities or traits he may select.

Identify the structures labelled X in Figure 1 and Y in Figure 2.

X: Y:

A farmer digs a shallow pond on a clayey soil to rear tilapia. After filling the pond, the water almost completely drains out.

Suggest the MOST likely cause of this problem.

Recommend ONE solution to this problem.

Table 2 is an example of an incomplete breeding record of a doe. Three of the headings are missing.

TABLE 2: BREEDING RECORD OF A DOE

Complete the record by inserting the following headings in the correct order in Table 2.

• Date doe Kindled
• Date mated
• Date weaned

Farmer Raj grows corn and rears goats. Table 3 shows the financial accounts for his mixed farm enterprise.

TABLE 3: FINANCIAL ACCOUNT

Using the information in Table 3, list the variable costs and the fixed costs.

Variable Costs $ Replacement does Farm operator salary Cost of corn seeds Feed costs Casual labour

Fixed Costs $ Housing and equipment

Calculate the gross income and the net income. Show all your working.

State whether or not the farmer’s business is successful. Explain your answer.

State TWO effects that the overuse of fertilisers may have on the environment.

State ONE benefit of mulching.

A farmer cultivates a leafy vegetable crop and a root crop on flat land. Compare the cultivating practices (similarities and differences) of these TWO crops under the following headings: (i) Land preparation (ii) Fertiliser application (iii) Harvesting and post-harvest handling

Name a meat breed for EACH of the following classes of livestock: (i) Pig (ii) Goat (iii) Rabbit

An Agricultural Science student carried out an experiment over a four-week period to evaluate the performance of rabbits on a forage diet and on a concentrate diet. Table 4 shows the results of the experiment.

TABLE 4: FEEDING EXPERIMENT ON RABBITS

(i) On which of the diets, forage or concentrate, did the rabbits gain MORE weight? (ii) Calculate the increase in average weight of the rabbits on the concentrate diet, from one week to four weeks. (iii) At the end of four weeks, an average of 4.2 kg of feed was consumed by each rabbit. Calculate the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) on the concentrate diet, using the data in Table 4 on page 12. (iv) Explain the importance of Feed Conversion Ratio in livestock production.

One rabbit in the experiment showed the following signs:

• Frequent shaking of its head
• Scabs in its ear
• A foul-smelling substance oozing from the ear

Suggest the likely cause of this condition and state TWO methods for controlling it.