(a) State three ways in which science and technology have contributed to agricultural development through each of the following: (i) Crop protection; (ii) Climatology and meteorology. [6 marks] (b) Give two functions of each of the following farm machines and implements: (i) bulldozer; (ii) combine harvester; (iii) tractor; (iv) sprayer; (v) planter. - [10 marks]
Explanation
(a) Ways in which science and technology have contributed to agricultural development: (i) Crop protection - Producing equipment for pesticides and herbicides application - Herbicides for weed control - Nematicides for the control of nematodes - Fungicides for the control of fungi - Pesticides for the control of pests in plants - Insecticides for control of insects -Rodenticides for control of rodents - Avicides for control of birds - Molluscides for the control of molluscs - Bactericides for the control of bacteria - Sterilization of plant materials - Soil sterilization - Breeding disease resistant varieties of crops - Irradiation to enhance storage of farm produce. (ii) Climatology and meteorology: - Forecasting rainfall pattern to determine planting and harvesting dates - Forecasting temperatures to produce drying and prediction of disease and pest outbreak - Monitoring of wind speed - Monitoring of wind direction - Cloud seeding for rainfall - Determination of relative humidity - Monitoring cloud formation and movement - Measurement of solar radiation - To determine types of crops to plant e.g. early maturing - Producing equipment for weather forcasting (b) Functions of farm machines and implements (i) Bulldozer: - Leveling of land surface - Moving large quantities of earth - Uprooting stumps - Removing, obstacles - Felling trees Clearing virgin lands/Bush clearing - Road construction on farms in rural areas (ii) Combine harvester: Harvesting of cereals - Threshing of cereals - Winnowing of harvested grains - Bagging of harvested grains (iii) Tractor -Transportation of human beings -Pumping of water through the use of Power-Take-Off (P. T. 0) -Lifting of equipment with the aid of the hydraulic system e.g. mower -Allows the use of farm implements for land preparation e.g. plough, harrow, ridger etc. -Provides power to drive stationary farm equipment e.g. milking machines, shellers, etc. -Generates electricity - For carting farm produce and inputs /haulage (iv) Sprayer - Application of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, etc. - Application of liquid fertilizers -Application of plant hormones (v) Planter - Sowing of seeds - Application of fertilizers - Application of nematicides/ pesticides
