NAME:……………………………………………………………..…..

INDEX NO:……………

443/1
AGRICULTURE
PAPER 1
TIME: 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

- This paper consists of three sections A, B and C

- Answer all questions in section A and B and any two questions from section C.

FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY

SECTION QUESTIONS MAXIMUM SCORE

A 1 - 21 30

B 22 - 25 20

C 20

20

TOTAL SCORE 90

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SECTION A (30 MARKS)

Answer all questions in this section in the spaces provided.

1. State two effects of H.I.V/AIDS on agricultural production. (1 mk)

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2. (a) Give two factors that affect rooting of cuttings. (1 mk)
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(b) Why is the nursery bed recommended to be 1M wide. ( ½ mk)
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3. State two major causes of land fragmentation in Kenya. (1 mk)
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4. Name four practices used by farmers to reduce the temperature of a silo during silage
making. (2 mks)
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5. Give four economic importances of crop pests. (2 mks)
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6. Given that maize is planted at a spacing of 75cm x 25 cm, calculate the plant population in
a plot of land measuring 4m x 4m. Show your working. (2 mks)
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7. State four ways in which seeds can be treated before planting. (2 mks)
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8. State two methods of plucking table formation in tea production. (1 mk)
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 9. A part from deficiency symptoms in crops, name two other methods used to detect mineral
nutrient deficiency in crops. (1 mk)
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10. State three physical characteristics used in classifying soil. (1 ½ mks)
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11. (a) What is minimum tillage? (1 mk)
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(b) Give four farming practices that may help in achieving minimum tillage. (2 mks)
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12. List down two macro-elements used as liming materials. (1 mk)

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13. Give four reasons for using certified seeds for planting. (2 mks)
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14. Give two benefits of top dressing in the management of grass pastures. (1 mk)
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15. Name four management practices carried out on a banana stool. (2 mks)
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16. State two ways in which agriculture contributes to development of industries. (1 mk)
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17. Give two benefits of using tissue culture to raise seedlings in the farm. (1 mk)
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18. State two methods of sub-surface drainage methods. (1 mk)
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 19. Give two benefits of micro-catchments in water conservation. (1 mk)
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20. List two common sorghum diseases. (1 mk)

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21. Name two types of labor records commonly used in agricultural economics (1 mk)
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SECTION B (20 MARKS)

Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided.

22. The diagram below shows a structure used in soil and water conservation. Study it and
answer the questions that follow.

(a) (i) Identify the structure. (1 mk)

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(ii) State two ways by which feature conserves soil and water. (1 mk)
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(b) Outline the procedure followed in the preparation of the structure named in (a)(i)
above. (1 ½ mks
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23. The diagram below illustrates how a plucking table is developed in a given crop.
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23 (a)(i) Identify the crop where the above practice is carried out. (1 mk)
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(ii) Name the practice illustrated above.
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(iii) State two reasons for carrying out the above practice. (2 mks)
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(iv) State two disadvantages associated with the above practice. (2 mks)
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(b) Name any one other method that can be carried out on the same crop for the same
purpose. (1 mk)
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24. Below is an illustration of a maize cob attacked by a certain disease. Study it carefully
and answer the questions that follow.

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 (a) (i) Name the disease illustrated above. (1 mk)
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(ii) Beside what is visible on the maize cob, state two other symptoms of the disease.
(2 mks)
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(b) State three control measures of the above disease. (3 mks)

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25. The diagram below represents parts of a water harvesting structure. Study it carefully and
answer the questions that follow.

a) Name the parts labeled A and C on the diagram. (1 mk)

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 b)Identify the method of water harvesting illustrated (1 mk)
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(c) State the use of part labeled B. (1 mk)
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(d)State two maintenance practices needed for part labeled D. (2 mks)
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SECTION C - 40 MARKS
Answer any two questions from this section in the spaces provided after question 28

26. (a) Describe the establishment and management of grass pastures up to the time it is ready
for grazing under the following subheadings:
(i) Seedbed preparation (3 mks)
(ii) Planting (5 mks)
(iii) Field management practices (6 mks)

(d) Explain the importance of pruning field crops. (6 mks)

27. (a) State six advantages of land consolidation. (6 mks)

(c) Explain how land adjudication and registration is carried out. (5 mks)
(d) Explain how various practices carried out in the field help to control crop disease.
(9 mks)
28. (a) Explain five methods of drainage. (5 mks)
(b) Explain five factors to consider when choosing maize varieties for different ecological
zones in Kenya. (5 mks)
(c) Describe five factors that influence crop rotation. (10 mks)
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