Grade 10 Agriculture β Growing Selected Crop Quiz
1. When growing maize in Kenya, which practice helps ensure good germination and uniform crop stand?
Planting maize at the recommended depth (about 2β5 cm depending on soil moisture) and spacing ensures good germination, uniform growth and makes management like weeding and fertilising easier.
2. What is the best time to plant beans in most parts of Kenya for a reliable rainfed crop?
Planting beans at the start of the rains takes advantage of soil moisture for germination and early growth; planting too early or late risks poor establishment or drought stress.
3. Which seed characteristic is most important when selecting potato seed tubers for planting?
Using healthy, certified seed tubers of the recommended size reduces disease introduction, ensures vigorous growth and improves yield; diseased or old tubers reduce crop performance.
4. Which practice helps control maize stem borers in smallholder Kenyan farms?
Early planting can escape peak pest pressure and regular scouting allows farmers to remove borer-infested stems or apply control measures early, reducing damage.
5. For tomato production in Kenya, which soil condition is best for healthy plants?
Tomatoes require well-drained, fertile soils rich in organic matter to support root growth and reduce disease; waterlogged or compacted soils cause root problems and low yields.
6. What is an appropriate spacing for Irish potato planting to balance tuber size and yield?
Spacing potatoes 30β40 cm within rows and 60β75 cm between rows gives roots room to develop and allows cultivation and hilling, which improves tuber size and overall yield.
7. Which fertilizer practice is recommended for maize to improve yields in Kenyan smallholdings?
Applying part of the nitrogen as basal and top-dressing at knee height (about 4β6 weeks) matches crop demand and improves efficiency and yields versus a single mis-timed application.
8. Which method helps conserve soil moisture for crops during dry spells in Kenya?
Mulching reduces evaporation, moderates soil temperature and adds organic matter, helping conserve moisture and improve plant growth during dry spells.
9. When is the correct time to harvest maize for consumption to reduce losses in storage?
Harvesting maize when grain moisture is around 13β15% and husks are dry reduces post-harvest losses from mold and pests and improves storage quality.
10. What simple practice reduces soil erosion on Kenyan sloping farms growing crops like maize or beans?
Contour planting, terraces and grass strips slow runoff, reduce erosion and protect soil fertility on slopesβimportant for sustainable crop production.
11. Which weed control method is suitable for small-scale vegetable gardens in Kenya?
Regular hand weeding, especially early, reduces competition for nutrients, water and light in small gardens and is safe and effective when done correctly.
12. For successful coffee growing on small Kenyan farms, which factor is most important?
Coffee in Kenya often does well with managed shade to reduce heat stress, conserve moisture and maintain quality; full sun or waterlogged conditions harm coffee.
13. Which practice helps reduce post-harvest losses of Irish potatoes for smallholders?
Curing helps heal wounds and reduces rot; storing in cool, ventilated, shaded conditions prevents sprouting and rotting, reducing losses.
14. What is the benefit of crop rotation when growing maize and legumes in Kenyan farms?
Rotating maize with legumes breaks pest and disease cycles and legumes fix nitrogen, improving soil fertility and subsequent crop yields.
15. Which irrigation method is most water-efficient for vegetable plots in Kenya?
Drip irrigation applies water directly to roots with minimal evaporation and runoff, making it more efficient and suitable for smallholder vegetable production.
16. Which is a recommended control method for maize weeds in the early growth stage?
Early hand hoeing or inter-row cultivation removes weeds before they compete strongly with the crop, improving yields and making later management easier.
17. When preparing land for sunflower planting in Kenya, what should a farmer do first?
Proper land preparation (clearing, ploughing, making a fine seedbed) ensures good seed-soil contact, uniform germination and reduces early weed competition.
18. Which sign indicates that maize plants might be deficient in nitrogen?
Nitrogen deficiency typically causes older leaves to turn pale or yellow first because N is mobile and moves to new growth; this reduces overall crop vigour and yield.
19. For small-scale tomato farmers, which pest control is appropriate and safe?
Integrated pest management combining good cultural practices, resistant varieties and careful pesticide use reduces pest damage safely and sustainably.
20. Which planting practice improves bean yields by reducing disease spread?
Certified seed is disease-free and using clean seed reduces disease introduction and spread, improving germination and yields.
21. When growing onions, what is a key practice to achieve good bulb size?
Proper spacing and thinning reduce competition for light and nutrients, allowing bulbs to develop full size and improving overall yield.
22. What is the advantage of using improved drought-tolerant maize varieties in arid parts of Kenya?
Drought-tolerant varieties are bred to cope with limited water and can give more stable yields in dry areas, though good management still matters.
23. Which simple measure reduces post-harvest loss of maize due to weevils in Kenyan households?
Proper drying reduces moisture that allows pests and molds; clean, elevated storage containers reduce weevil access and extend grain shelf life.
24. Which soil test result should a farmer consider before applying phosphorus fertiliser for crops like maize and beans?
Applying phosphorus when the soil test shows low available P addresses nutrient deficiency efficiently; unnecessary application wastes resources and can harm the environment.
25. Which practice helps increase yields when planting sweet potatoes on a small Kenyan farm?
Healthy vine cuttings, ridging for loose soil, and proper spacing promote root development and reduce disease, leading to better sweet potato yields.
26. Which action helps prevent soil nutrient loss when growing crops continuously?
Adding organic manure returns nutrients and improves soil structure, while rotation with legumes helps restore soil nitrogen, sustaining long-term productivity.