Page 21 - Agriculture Form Two

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Activity 1.8
Re-visit your school farm and nearby crop fields and or use ICT devices to
perform the following tasks:

1. Observe and identify different ways by which:
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
(a) soil moisture is conserved;
(b) deficit of soil moisture is managed, and
(c) excessive water is managed in the field.
2. Based on inquiries from field experiences, library, ICT, and internet searches,
outline various technologies for managing water in the crop field.
3. Summarise your observations in your portfolio.

Exercise 1.3

1. Soil water is vital to crop plants in several ways. Using various sources of
information, outline any five roles/functions of soil water to a crop plant.
2. Identify the critical stages during which the crop demands significant water.
3. What crops require minimal water and can be grown in areas with limited
water availability?
4. How does planting cover crops and mulch help to retain moisture in the soil?
5. Recommend to farmers any two methods for managing water on a steeply
sloped crop field.

Pest management in crop production

Crop pest refers to a living organism that harms crops directly or indirectly. Crop
pests include insects, rodents, mites, weeds, birds, and large animals (vermin),
including monkeys, elephants, and wild pigs. Plant pathogens (e.g., bacteria,
viruses, fungi, and nematodes) cause plant diseases such as bacterial wilt, damping
off, Cassava Mosaic disease, and stunting. Pests can directly impact plants by
feeding on them, which can cause damage to leaves, stems, and other parts of
the plant. Pests can also indirectly impact plants by changing the host plant in
ways that affects interaction with other pests. For example, pathogens can affect
plants’ growth and fitness and induce plant changes that impact susceptibility
to insect pests. Insects can indirectly impact plants by transmitting pathogens
as they feed on host plants. Large animals (e.g., monkeys, elephants, wild pigs,
Rodents, quelea beds are pests that destroy crops by feeding on them. Figure 1.3
(a)-(i) presents crop pests in different environments. Study them, and carry out
Activity 1.7

Student’s Book Form Two 13

04/10/2024 18:07
Agriculture form 2.indd 13 04/10/2024 18:07
Agriculture form 2.indd 13