Grade 10 Agriculture – Field Management Practices Quiz

Rotating crops prevents pests and diseases that attack one crop from building up and helps restore soil nutrients by alternating crops with different nutrient needs, which is suitable for Kenyan smallholder farms.

Recommended spacing allows enough sunlight, air circulation and nutrient availability for each maize plant, reducing competition and disease, common guidance in Kenyan crop production.

Weeds compete with crops for resources; timely weeding helps crops access water, light and nutrients, improving yields and is a basic management practice for Kenyan farms.

Mulch (e.g., crop residues, grass) conserves soil moisture, suppresses weeds and over time adds organic matter—useful during Kenya's dry spells.

Minimum or zero tillage reduces soil disturbance, helps retain moisture and protects against erosion—suitable for semi-arid parts of Kenya.

Contour farming places rows along the slope contour to slow water flow and reduce soil erosion, a common practice on Kenya's highland slopes.

Applying fertilisers at key growth stages and splitting doses ensures nutrients are available when the crop needs them most, improving efficiency and reducing losses.

Intercropping uses space efficiently; legumes like beans fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, benefiting maize—an approach used widely by Kenyan smallholders.

Proper drainage and periodic leaching flush salts below the root zone; otherwise salts accumulate and harm crops, important in irrigated areas.

Keeping records allows farmers to evaluate what works, plan planting dates, input use and improve yields—useful for extension discussions in Kenya.

Certified seed is quality-assured for germination and purity, giving better yields and disease resistance compared to reused seed—recommended by Kenyan extension services.

Grass strips act as physical barriers that trap soil and reduce the velocity of surface runoff, helping control erosion on Kenyan farms.

Drip irrigation reduces water loss to evaporation and directs water to roots, conserving water—useful for Kenyan farmers with limited water.

Integrated pest management encourages monitoring and acting only when pest damage economic thresholds are met to avoid unnecessary pesticide use and cost.

A well-prepared seedbed provides a firm, fine tilth for seeds to germinate uniformly and allows good root penetration—important for crops in Kenya.

Organic manures add nutrients and improve soil physical properties, increasing moisture retention and fertility over time—valuable for Kenyan soils.

Proper pruning removes dead wood and shapes the canopy to allow light and air, reducing disease and improving fruit development—useful in Kenyan orchards.

Using protective equipment and following labels prevents poisoning and environmental harm; safe storage keeps households in Kenya protected.

Good nurseries provide strong seedlings with less disease and uniform growth, increasing survival and yields when transplanted to the field.

Combining organic inputs, rotation and balanced fertiliser use maintains and improves soil fertility sustainably for Kenyan smallholders.

Thinning reduces competition among seedlings, allowing the remaining plants better access to light, nutrients and water for healthy growth.

Cover crops protect bare soil, improve structure and fertility (especially legumes that fix nitrogen), supporting sustainable production in Kenya.

Level fields allow even irrigation water flow, improving water use efficiency and crop uniformity—important for smallholder irrigation schemes.

Proper drying and clean, dry storage reduce mould and insect damage, lowering post-harvest losses common among Kenyan farmers.

Removing some lateral growth can focus plant resources on the main stem and grain, improving yield under certain management systems.