The process of moving soil particles by wind is called
Erosion refers to the removal and transportation of soil particles by agents such as wind, water, or ice. Wind erosion specifically moves soil particles across the surface, distinguishing it from weathering (breakdown in place), deposition (settling of particles), or leaching (downward nutrient loss in solution).
Which of the following is a common method of propagating pineapple?
Pineapple is vegetatively propagated using suckers (shoots arising from the base of the plant), slips (from the fruit stalk), or crowns (top of the fruit). Seed sowing is rare in commercial practice due to genetic variability; grafting and simple cuttings are not applicable to pineapple.
The ideal depth for planting soybean seeds is
Soybean seeds are small and require shallow planting at 2–4 cm to ensure good germination and emergence. Deeper planting delays emergence and reduces seedling vigor due to limited energy reserves in the seed.
Which nutrient is most essential for the development of healthy seeds?
Phosphorus is critical for energy transfer (ATP), seed formation, and reproductive development. It promotes strong root systems and high-quality seed fill, making it the most essential nutrient for healthy seed development.
The practice of growing crops in a nutrient-rich water system with fish is called
Aquaponics integrates aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics; fish waste provides nutrients for plants, and plants filter water for fish. Hydroponics uses only nutrient solution without fish; aeroponics uses mist; soil culture is traditional.
Which of the following is a viral disease of citrus?
Tristeza is a devastating viral disease caused by Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), leading to decline and death of trees on sour orange rootstock. Citrus canker (bacterial), powdery mildew (fungal), and anthracnose (fungal) are not viral.
The primary source of potassium in soil is
Potassium in soils originates mainly from the weathering of potassium-rich minerals like feldspars and micas. Organic matter contributes smaller amounts; rainfall adds trace levels; nitrogen fixation is unrelated to potassium.
Which animal is primarily reared for wool production?
Sheep (especially Merino breeds) are the primary source of wool due to their dense, crimped fleece. Angora goats produce mohair, rabbits produce angora, but sheep dominate global wool production.
The removal of branches to reduce tree height is known as
Pollarding involves cutting back the upper branches to a specific height to promote dense regrowth and control size. Pruning is general branch removal; thinning reduces density; girdling removes bark to kill the tree.
Which of the following is a method of preserving fish by salting?
Curing involves treating fish with salt (dry or brine) to draw out moisture and inhibit bacterial growth. Smoking uses heat and smoke; freezing lowers temperature; drying removes water without necessarily using salt.
The process of mating animals to produce hybrid vigor is called
Crossbreeding mates individuals from different breeds or lines to exploit heterosis (hybrid vigor), improving traits like growth rate and fertility. Inbreeding increases homozygosity; line breeding maintains relatedness; selection chooses superior individuals.
Which of the following is a secondary nutrient required by plants?
Secondary macronutrients are calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, required in moderate amounts. Iron, zinc, and copper are micronutrients needed in trace quantities.
The practice of raising bees for honey production is known as
Apiculture is the scientific management of honey bees for honey and wax. Sericulture (silk), pisciculture (fish), and heliculture (snails) are unrelated.
Which of the following is a symptom of magnesium deficiency in crops?
Magnesium deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between veins) in older leaves due to its role in chlorophyll. Leaf drop, root rot, and stem cracking are not typical symptoms.
The most effective method of controlling weeds in a vegetable garden is
Hand weeding provides precise, complete removal of weeds without chemical residue, ideal for vegetables. Herbicides risk crop damage; mulching suppresses but may not eliminate; burning is impractical and hazardous.
Which of the following is a leguminous cover crop?
Mucuna (velvet bean) is a legume that fixes nitrogen and suppresses weeds. Pennisetum, Napier grass, and Andropogon are grasses, not legumes.
The disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin D in animals is
Rickets results from vitamin D deficiency, impairing calcium absorption and causing soft, deformed bones in young animals. Anemia (iron/B12), scurvy (vitamin C), and beriberi (thiamine) are unrelated.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of overgrazing?
Overgrazing removes protective vegetation, exposing soil to wind and water erosion. It reduces fertility, degrades pasture, and lowers biodiversity.
The practice of keeping animals in a confined area with controlled feeding is called
Zero grazing (cut-and-carry) confines animals and supplies fresh forage, controlling diet and reducing pasture damage. Extensive systems allow free range; ranching is large-scale grazing; rotational moves animals between paddocks.
Which pest is known to attack the leaves of cocoa?
Capsid bugs (Miridae) pierce and suck sap from cocoa leaves and pods, causing lesions and distortion. Aphids affect many crops but not primarily cocoa leaves; termites attack roots/stems; weevils target storage.
The process of converting organic matter into ammonia is called
Ammonification is the microbial breakdown of organic nitrogen (proteins) into ammonia. Nitrification converts ammonia to nitrate; denitrification reduces nitrate to gases; fixation converts N₂ to ammonia.
Which of the following is used to improve soil aeration?
Organic matter (compost, manure) improves soil structure, creating pores for air exchange. Clay compacts soil; excess irrigation causes waterlogging; herbicides control weeds but do not affect aeration.
The recommended spacing for planting cotton is
Cotton requires wider spacing (90 cm between rows, 45 cm within rows) to accommodate its bushy growth, reduce disease, and allow mechanical harvesting. Closer spacing causes competition and lower yields.
Which of the following is a parasitic disease of goats?
Liver fluke (Fasciola spp.) is a parasitic flatworm infecting goat livers via contaminated pasture. Foot rot (bacterial), mastitis (bacterial), and anthrax (bacterial) are not parasitic.
The primary function of the crop in poultry is
The crop is a pouch in the esophagus that temporarily stores ingested food, softening it before passage to the proventriculus and gizzard. Digestion and fermentation occur in the gizzard and ceca; water absorption is in the intestines.
Which of the following is a chemical method of pest control?
Insecticides are synthetic or natural chemicals applied to kill pests. Crop rotation, hand picking, and trapping are cultural, mechanical, or physical methods.
The practice of growing a single crop on a large scale is called
Monoculture is the continuous cultivation of one crop over a large area, simplifying management but increasing pest/disease risk. Polyculture/intercropping grows multiple crops; mixed farming combines crops and livestock.
Which nutrient deficiency causes poor root development in plants?
Phosphorus is essential for root initiation, elongation, and energy transfer in root cells. Deficiency stunts root growth, reducing nutrient and water uptake. Nitrogen affects shoots; potassium aids water regulation; magnesium is for chlorophyll.
The best method of storing potatoes to prevent rot is
Potatoes store best at 4–7°C, high humidity (90%), and darkness to prevent sprouting, greening (solanine), and fungal rot. Sunlight induces greening; wet/humid conditions promote rot.
Which of the following is a common parasite of cattle?
Ticks (e.g., Boophilus spp.) are major external parasites of cattle, transmitting diseases like babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Mites, fleas, and lice also parasitize cattle but ticks are most economically significant.
The process of removing excess nutrients from soil is known as
Leaching is the downward movement of soluble nutrients (e.g., nitrates) beyond the root zone by excess water. Irrigation supplies water; drainage removes excess water; mulching conserves moisture.
Which crop is primarily grown for its fiber content?
Sisal (Agave sisalana) is cultivated for strong leaf fibers used in ropes and twine. Maize, rice, and yam are grown for grain, grain, and tubers, respectively.
The ideal temperature for storing dairy products is
Refrigeration at 0–4°C slows bacterial growth and extends shelf life of milk, cheese, and yogurt. Higher temperatures accelerate spoilage.
Which of the following is a method of controlling desert encroachment?
Afforestation (planting trees) stabilizes soil, reduces wind erosion, and creates barriers against desert advance. Overgrazing, deforestation, and monocropping accelerate degradation.
The disease affecting horses caused by a parasite is
Strongylosis is caused by Strongylus (bloodworm) parasites damaging horse intestines and blood vessels. Colic (digestive pain), equine encephalomyelitis (viral), and tetanus (bacterial) are not parasitic.
Which of the following is a renewable energy source for water pumping?
Solar energy is renewable, harnessed via photovoltaic pumps for irrigation. Kerosene, diesel, and coal are non-renewable fossil fuels.
The practice of building embankments to prevent flood damage is called
Embankments (levees/dikes) are raised barriers along rivers to contain floodwaters. Terracing controls erosion on slopes; ridging forms small mounds; contour plowing follows land contours.
Which of the following is a symptom of sodium deficiency in animals?
Sodium deficiency disrupts nerve and muscle function, causing cramps, lethargy, and salt craving. Bone deformity (vitamin D/calcium), hair loss (various), and anemia (iron) are unrelated.
The primary role of agricultural banks is to
Agricultural banks (e.g., development banks) provide credit for farm inputs, equipment, and operations. Marketing, research, and seed supply are handled by other institutions.
Which of the following is a factor affecting the choice of farming tools?
Farm size determines tool scale: hand tools for small plots, tractors for large areas. Soil pH affects crop choice; water salinity impacts irrigation; air pressure is irrelevant.
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