(a) Outline six benefits derived from growing ornamental plants, [6 marks] (b) State four symptoms of cassava mosaic disease. [4 marks] (c) Explain the following terms as used in forest management. (i) selective exploitation (ii) regeneration (iii) taungya farming [6 marks]
Explanation
(a) Benefits derived from growing ornamental plants - Source of employment/income to florists • -Flowers are used for the expression of love and as gifts on special occasions -Shade loving ornamentals can be used for decoration in porches, verandahs and halls -Densely branched ornamental shrubs can be used for. fencing - Used for visual screening or concealing views to provide privacy - Pruning and clipping from hedges can be used as compost materials or mulch - Some ornamental plants have medicinal value and are used in herbal preparation - Some ornamental trees have edible fruits for human consumption - Fixing of atmospheric nitrogen into the soil by bacteria in the root nodules of leguminous ornamental plants -Decay of the leaves of ornamental plants improves soil fertility - Purifies the environment - Provides shade in car parks and public places - Helps to absorb and reflect sound waves to reduce noise from hooting horns from vehicles -Some ornamental plants are used for teaching and learning purposes - Helps to reduce light blurrs on major roads to prevent accidents in the night - Serves as windbreaks - The beauty and fragrance of some ornamental plants give some people pleasure and satisfaction - Ornamental plants can be used to direct the movement of people through the planting of avenues trees in curves, hedges along path in school compounds etc. - Beautification of environment - Flowers and leaves are used for floral design such as wreaths. bouquets, garlands - Some flowers are used in the preparation of dyes - Prunings from ornamented plants may be used in feeding animals - Source of revenue to the government through taxation - Well established ornamental gardens serve as tourist attraction. (b) Symptoms of Cassava mosaic disease - Mottling of leaves/leaf curl - Distortion of leaves and stems -Vein clearing -Stunted growth -Development of yellowish pale areas alternating with green patches on the leaves / mosaic pattern on the leaves. (c) of forest management terms (i) Selective exploitation -This is the legal felling of trees based on criteria such as maturity and species - it helps to protect the soil from erosion and at the same time encourages continuous supply of timber. (ii) Regeneration - This is the process of forest re-growth after it has been exploited - It can occur either by re-growing from old stumps or deliberate planting of new forest seedlings in a deforested area. ((May be natural or artificial) (iii) Taungya farming: This is a management practice which involves the planting of food crops and some forest trees at the same time until the canopy of the trees close up.
