(a) State four aims of crop improvement. [4 marks] (b) Give four conditions necessary for seed germination. [4 marks] (c) State the importance of conducting a germination test. [2 marks] (d) Discuss briefly three problems associated with the use of poor quality planting materials. [6 marks]
Explanation
(a) Aims of crop improvement are - increase the quality of crops -Increase the quality of produce/improve nutritional value of produce - Meet the need of growers and consumers/improve harvesting qualities. -Adapt to climatic conditions. - Increase resistance to diseases. -Increase resistance to pests. -produce crops that mature early. Produce crops with uniform agronomic characteristics. (b) Conditions necessary for seed germination - Temperature/suitable temperature/optimum temperature - Air/Oxygen Moisture/Water/Rainfall -Viable seed (c) Importance of conducting a germination test -To assess the viability of the seeds. - To determine seed rate (d) Problems associated with the use of poor quality planting materials - It may lead to uneven germination and establishment which will eventually require replanting. -Seedings may be weak or feeble thereby predisposing them to mechanical damage, disease infection and if pest attack. - It requires grading and disinfection of the planting material against seed borne pests and diseases. -Extra costs are incurred in purchasing more planting materials. -Uneven plant growth. -Uneven growth may lead to uneven maturity. This will lead to haphazard nature of harvesting. -Marketing of produce is affected by uneven maturity n and harvesting. ▪ -Poor quality produce is harvested. • -Processing is affected due to the unequal sizes of the produce. - Yield is reduced/poor.