CROP PRODUCTION IV (FIELD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES) (a) Identify the farm practice represented by B

This topic entails the following:

 Crop rotation (b) State the importance of the above practice in the following crops;
 Reasons for crop rotations
 Crop rotation programme (i) Maize
 Terms used in crop farming (ii) Irish potatoes
 Mulching (c) At what stage of growth should the above practice be carried out in
 Reasons for various field management practices maize?
 Correct stage for harvesting crops 19. Mention four factors which determine the stage at which crops are
 Harvesting practices of various crops. harvested
20. State two limitation of using polythene sheets as mulching materials in a
The following relevant questions and their answers in this topic will field of tomatoes
greatly motivate and help the user to comprehend and understand the required 21. Give two management practices carried in a banana stool
concepts and practices:
23. State two functions of polythene sheet when used as mulch material
1. Distinguish between staking and propping as a field management
practice on crops 24. Give four crops requiring training
2. Explain five advantages of crop rotation

3. State four factors which influence the stage at which the crops are
harvested
4. The diagrams labelled B and C below are illustrations of coffee plants CROP PRODUCTION IV
established using two (FIELD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES)
different formative pruning systems. 1. Staking is supporting tall varieties of tomatoes using a stick fixed next to
the plant and tied with
Examine the diagrams and answer the questions that follow:- sisal string while propping is supporting banana plant with sticks Mark as a
whole= 1 mk
2. five advantages of crop rotation

 Improves soil fertility: where legumes are included nitrogen is fixed/

added in the soil
 Control pests and diseases: disrupts the life cycle of certain pests and
diseases
 Control weeds: control weeds which are specific to certain crops e.g.
striga in cereals/ cover crops in a rotation will smother certain weeds
 Better use of the soil nutrients: different crops (due to differing root
systems) draw nutrients from varying soils horizons/ different crops
(a) Identify the system of pruning illustrated in B require different nutrients
 Control of soil erosion: cover crops included reduce soil erosion
(b) Identify the system of pruning in C  Improve soil structure: When grass lays are included which during the
period organic matter will accumulate to enrich the soil and improve soil
(c) Outline the procedure of how pruning in diagram C is carried out structure
3. four factors which influence the stage at which the crops are harvested.
5. Give two functions of earthing up in crop production
- Purpose of the crop / maturity.
6. Describe the factors which determine the stage of harvesting of crops - Moisture content.
- Concentration of certain chemicals.
7. Give two ways in which inorganic much helps to conserve water - Water condition.
- Market demand.
8. State four factors that determine the spacing of annual crops 4. a) B. - Single stem pruning system. (1x1=1mk)
b) Identify the system of pruning in C.
9. Explain the importance of each of the following practices: (i)
Hardening off - Multiple stem pruning system. (1x1=1mk)
c) Outline how pruning in diagram C is carries out.
(ii) Pricking out
- Main stem of the seedling is capped/ cut stem at 38 – 60 cm high.
(iii) Gapping - Two or three suckers are selected and allowed to grow while the rest are
10. Outline two factors that determine the stage of harvesting crops removed
5. Two functions of earthling up in crop production
11. (a) List four factors that determine harvesting sage of a crop
- To influence tuber expansion
(b) Give four practices that can be used to control storage pests - To retain water between the ridges which increases water
conservation/infiltration
12. List four benefits of pruning in crop production - Reduces soil erosion
- To prevent the greening effect in potatoes
13. (a) What is winnowing? 6. (a) The factors which determine the stage of harvesting of crops

(b) Give one importance of the following practices: (i) - Stage maturity of the crops
Mulching - Use of the crop
- Tastes and preferences of consumers
(ii) Threshing - Weather conditions
(c) Which factors are considered when carrying out a crop rotation - Chemical conditions
program? - Chemical concentration of the chemical
14. What is frelishing? - Moisture content ( 1mk x any 6pts = 6mks)
15. Briefly explain how each of the factors listed below will determine the 7. - Reduces runoff thus increasing amount of water into the soil
stage at which a crop is harvested
(a) Intended use of the crop Reduces evaporation thus increasing the amount of water retained
8. - Moisture content of soil
(b) Market demand
- Use of which the crop is to be put
16. What is roguering in crop production? - Number of seeds per hole
17. What is meant by the term “changing the cycle” in coffee growing? - Prevalence of certain diseases/ pests
18. The diagram below shows a practice carried out on various crops on the - Machinery to be used in subsequent operations
farm. Study them - Fertility status of the soil
carefully and answer the questions that follow; 9. i) To acclimatized the seedlings to direct light/ conditions in the seedbed

ii) To avoid overcrowding and reduce competition for light.

iii) Produce healthy and strong seedling
iv) To obtain correct plant population
10. Two factors that determine the stage of harvesting crops are:-

 Purpose of crop
 concentration of required chemical
11 a) - Weather condition
 - Use/ purpose
- Stage of growth
- Concentration of the required chemicals (i.e. tea)
( ½ x4=2 mks)
b) - Proper drying of produce
- Keeping storage facility/ structure clean
- Use of pesticides on storage structure
- Treating produce with pesticides e.g. cereals
Use of rodent guards
12. Enable controlling over bearing by ensuring required leave ratio

- Open up canopy for air and light penetration

- Reduce chemical waste
- Control pests and diseases
- Allow other field operation
Give crop desired shape
(c) Which factors are considered when carrying out a crop rotation
program?
13. a) -Removing of chaffs by use of wind

b)i)- Prevent erosion

- Add organic matter
- Conserve soil moisture
- Raise soil temperature
( ½ mk)
ii) - improve quality of grains by separating them from rest of plant
(½ x1= ½ mks)
c) - Root systems of crops
- Botanical relation of crops
- Nutrient absorption by plant
Susceptibility to pests, diseases or weeds
14. a)This is support given to crops with weak stem. So as to grow in the
desired direction
b) -Makes the plant to get enough sunlight to manufacture food i.e.
prevent shading
-leads to more productivity
-reduced infections of diseases from the grounds
15. (a) Some crops are harvested earlier e.g. maize for silage at silking stage
while maize for grains when the grains are dry;

(b) A crop can be harvested earlier when the market demand is high;
16. It is a farming practice that involves the removal and destruction of crop
plants which are heavily
infested with pests and diseases from the field.
17. It is the replacement of old bearing stems by suckers. The cycle is usually
changed
after 4 – 6 years.
18. a)- Earthening up
b) Importance of the above practice
i) Maize - provides support to prevent lodging
ii) Irish potatoes – Improves tuber formation
c) During second weeding
19. Four factors which determine the stage at which crops are harvested

 Original conditions of land

 Soil type
 Cost
 Size of planting materials
 Soil moisture type of implement
20. Two limitation of using polythene sheets as mulching materials in a field
of tomatoes Expensive
 Requires skilled labour
 Does not decompose
May overheat soil around crop roots
22. - suckering
-Pruning of leaves
-Propping
-Mulching
-Earthing up
23. - Smothers weeds
-Regulate soil temperature
-Conserve moisture
25. -passion fruits
-Deep rooted
-Nitrogen fixing
-Good by-products
- Friendly too crops / not affent crop