WAEC, 2024 PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE

(Study Guide)
As Produced By Achievers Education Concepts for DEXTERS Solution Team

List of specimens
Specimen A is Ranging Pole
Specimen B is Arrow
Specimen C is Measuring Tape
Specimen D is Wooden Peg
Specimen H is Maize Weevil
Specimen I is Bean beetle
Specimen J is Grasshopper
Specimen K is Cotton stainer
Specimen L is Tilapia fish
Specimen M is Hay
Specimen N is Fish meal.

*The collective name for specimens A, B, C and D is surveying equipment.

*The field operation that could be performed using specimens A, B, C and D is farm surveying

SPECIMEN A - RANGING POLE

Uses of specimen A
- It is used in making straight lines
- It is used to mark survey stations
- It is used to determine baseline lines/ boundaries

Maintenance of specimen A
- Clean after use/wash and dry after use
- Store in cool, dry place after use
- Should be handled by competent person(s)
- Oil or grease metal part
- Sharpen the pointed metal tip
- Keep away from rain
- Avoid exposing it to the sun
- Re-paint if necessary
- Ensure that the metal tip is tightly fitted

Description of specimen A
It is made of wood or metal of varying lengths. It has pointed end and painted black, bright red and
white to enable it to be seen from afar.

OR
Description of specimen A
It is made of light pole of circular section, about 30 mm in diameter. A pole has iron shoe at one
end to allow it to be fixed into the ground. The poles is made of light metal or seasoned wood.
Painted in alternate bright colours as white, red and black to make it visible from afar. The ranging
pole is about 2.5m in length

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Description of specimen A
It typically consists of a long, slender rod made of lightweight and durable materials such as wood.
It is often painted in contrasting colors to enhance visibility in the field.

OR
Description of specimen A
It is made of light poles of circular section, about 30 mm in diameter. The pole has iron shoe at
one end to allow it to be fixed into the ground. It is painted in alternate bright colours as white, red
and black to make it visible from afar

SPECIMEN B – ARROW
Uses of specimen A
- It is used during chaining for marking off length chains as measured
- It is used for marking stations
- It is used for marking points of intersection

Maintenance of specimen B
- Wash and dry after use
- Store in cool, dry place
- it should be handled by competent person(s)
- Oil or grease metal part
- Sharpen the pointed metal tip
-Regularly wipe the equipment with a soft cloth to remove dirt, dust, and debris.
-Store the equipment in a protective case or cover when not in use to prevent damage.
-Regularly inspect the equipment for damage, wear, or corrosion, and replace if necessary.
-Avoid exposing the equipment to extreme temperatures, such as direct sunlight or freezing
conditions.

Description of specimen B
It typically consists of a long, lightweight and straight rod with a pointed end and a target or flag at
the other end.

SPECIMEN C - MEASURING TAPE

Uses of specimen C
- It is used for taking measurement of length, height and breath
- It is used for determining definite points on straight lines
- It assists in determining right-angle triangle during farm layout

Maintenance of specimen C
-Roll back in it's case after use
-Avoid exposure to the sun
-Keep clean and dry
-Store in a cool dry place after use
-It should not be left lying about in the farm.
-Don not wind tapes overly tight on their reels, as it can cause unwanted stresses and lead to
stretching of the tape.
-Do not roll in when wet

Description of specimen C

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It is usually made of linen. It is marked on one side with metric units and on the other side with
imperial units which could be of various types and lengths. It is normally wound in a small case
from where it is unwound for use.

OR
Description of specimen C
It consists of a ribbon of cloth or metal strip with linear measurement markings for precise
measurements. It is flexible and can be easily rolled up for storage and transportation.

OR
Description of specimen C
It consists of a flexible, retractable tape made of metal, or plastic, marked with units of
measurement (feet, meters, inches, etc). It has locking mechanism and hook or clip for attaching
to objects. It has clear and durable markings with units of measurement marked on the tape.

OR
Description of specimen C
It consists of a flexible ribbon or strip of material, typically made of metal, or cloth, with markings
or graduations along its length for precise measurements.

SPECIMEN D – WOODEN PEG

Uses of specimen D
It is used for marking permanent survey stations

Care/Maintenance of specimen D
Keep away from termites
Avoid storing in damp places
Clean or wash dry after use
Grease/oil the top steel pins

Description of specimen D
This is a stick with pointed end and steel pin on top

The diagram below illustrates an experimental set-up on soil samples. Study it and answer the
questions that follow.

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 Questions
(a) State the aim of the experiment.
(b) Name the soil sample in each of the tubes labelled E, F and G
(c) Outline the procedure for carrying out the experiment.
(d) State three properties of each soil sample in the tubes labelled E, F and G

Answers
(a) Aim of the experiment:
- To compare the capillarity/capillary action of different soil samples

(b) Naming of soil samples in the glass tubes

E - Sandy soil/sand
F - Clay soil/clay
G - Loamy soil/loam

(c) Procedure for carrying out the experiment

- Obtain three long glass tubes
- Close the lower end of each glass tube with cotton wool
- Grind/sieve the soil samples after air drying
- Fill the tubes with equal volumes of sand, loam and clay soil
- Immerse the lower end of each tube in a water trough
- Allow the set-up to stand overnight/some hours

(d)
Characteristics/Properties of soil sample in the tubes labelled E (Sandy soil)
-It contains large particles
-It is light grey in colour
-It has large pore spaces
-It is coarse to touch
-It is well drained and well aerated

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Characteristics/Properties of soil sample in the tubes labelled F(Clay soil)
-It is reddish brown in colour
-It is fine grained
-It is smooth to touch
-It has small /fine pore spaces and hence, poorly aerated
-It has high capillarity action
-It is sticky when wet
-It is colloidal in nature
-It is easy to mould into shape
-It is easily water logged
-It has high water retention capacity

Characteristics /Properties of soil sample in the tubes labelled G – (Loamy soil/loam)

-It has moderate pore spaces
-The particles are loosely packed
-Presence of organic matter or residues
-It is dark brown in colour
-Rate of water percolation is moderate
-It is fairly friable

Factors needed for determining capillary rise includes

-Diameter of capillary tube
-Density of the liquid
-Viscosity of the liquid
-Surface tension

SPECIMEN H -MAIZE WEEVIL

The botanical name of specimen H is Sitophilus zeamays

Economic importance of Specimen H

-It causes loss of food/ food shortage/destruction of stored maize
-It destroys seed viability/reduced seed germination
-It causes loss of income/reduced market value
-It increases the cost of production due to the cost of controlling the pest
-It reduces yield/quantity of produce

Ways of controlling Specimen H

-Use of repellants such as dried pepper
-Store in air tight containers
-Use of appropriate insecticide
-Heat treatment/ store on rafters in smoky rooms
-Use of deep freezer/freezing
-Early harvesting of crops
-Fumigating maize in store
- Handpicking

Mode of nutrition/type of mouthparts of specimen H

Boring insects

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SPECIMEN I -- BEAN BEETLE
The botanical name of specimen I is Acanthoscelides obtectus

Ways in which specimen I (Bean beetle) is economically important

-It destroys viability of seeds/destroys cotyledon.
-It reduces market value of crop/quality of crop.
-It increases farmer's cost of production.
-It reduces the quantity of stored produce (seed)

Ways of controlling Specimen I (Bean beetle)

-Treat bean seeds with appropriate insecticides before storage
-Use of proper planned crop rotation
-Plant resistant varieties
-Hand picking and destroying
-Dry grains very well before storing
-Early harvesting
-Store grains in air-tight containers
-Fumigate storage facilities
-Store grains in hot dried pepper/neem extracts

Part of crops usually attacked/damaged by specimens I (Bean beetle):

Bean Seeds

Ways by which specimens I (Bean beetle) damages crops

It bores into the grains of beans and creates holes. It destroys the embryo and hence prevents
germination. It eats the endosperm and reduces food value. Vents created serve as sites for
secondary infections.

Mode of nutrition/type of mouthparts of specimen I

Boring insects

Life cycle of specimens I (Bean beetle)

An adult beetle has a short life span of about 6-8 days after emergence. After this emergence,
mating takes place. (The female begins to lay eggs before she dies. The eggs are attached to the
surface of the seed and the larvae bore directly into the seed where they feed and pupate. Adult
beetles emerge through circular holes from about 22 to 28 days after the eggs have been laid.
Three to four beetles may emerge from a single seed.

SPECIMEN J --- GRASSHOPPER

Economic importance of Specimen J
-It is used as a source of food
-It is a vector of crop diseases
-It destroys leaves and stems of cultivated crops

Methods of controlling of specimen J

-Use of insecticides such as malathion
-Killing of the adult grasshopper with sticks
-Use of well planned crop rotation
-Use of natural predators such as birds
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Part of crops damaged by specimens J (Grasshopper):
- Plants leaves, -young shoot, -succulent stem

Ways by which each specimen J damages crops.

It chews the stem and leaves of plants, weakens the stem and leaves of plants and makes them to
lodge. It causes defoliation of crops. Young shoots are destroyed. Wounds left on the crops can
serve as site for secondary infection. Buds are also destroyed. It reduces the photosynthetic ability
of crop plants and also reduces the growth of crop plants.

Mode of nutrition/type of mouthparts of specimen J

Biting and chewing insects

Life cycle of specimen J (Grasshopper)

The female lays eggs on the underside of leaves/decaying wood. The eggs hatch into nymphs.
The nymphs move to farms and feed on cassava leaves or other shrubs till they become adults.
The nymph moults five times before becoming adult grasshopper. It undergoes incomplete
metamorphosis.

SPECIMEN K - COTTON STAINER

Botanical name of specimen K is Dysdercus Spp

The major crop which specimen K attacks is cotton

Economic importance/Damages caused by specimen K (Cotton stainer) on crops

-It transmits diseases
-It causes leaf distortion
-It pierces and sucks sap from crop tissues
-It reduces the quality or market value of bolls/lint
-It produces saliva which is toxic to crops
-The wounds caused by the pest to plants leads to secondary infection.
-It reduces the viability of cotton seeds

Control of specimen K
- Handpicking
- Destruction of infested plant
- Spraying with recommended insecticides
- Destruction of alternative hosts around the farm

The part of the plant usually attacked by specimen K

Cotton bolls/okro fruits

Ways by which specimen K damages crops

It pierces into mature cotton bolls/okro fruit. Stains the cotton lint. Vents created serve as sites
for secondary infection. It therefore prevents good fruit formation in cotton/okro and causes
premature drop of fruits.

Alternate hosts of specimen K are:

Kenaf, millet, Okra, maize, baobab, guinea corn,, Silk cotton tree

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Mode of nutrition/type of mouthparts of specimen K
Piercing and sucking insects

SPECIMEN L - TILAPIA FISH

Economic importance of specimen L/Tilapia to humans

- Its oil is used as medicine/contains omega 3 oil;
- It is used as food/source of protein;
- It is used as animal feed;
- It is a source of income/employment for fishermen;
- It is used for biological control of mosquito larvae

By-products that could be obtained from the processing of specimen L (Tilapia fish)
-Fish meal
-Fish oil (Cod liver oil)
-Fish skins
-Fish manure
-Fish scale
-fish bone

Methods/Ways of preserving specimen L

-Smoking
-Salting
-Canning
-Drying
-Refrigeration/Freezing
-Frying
-Roasting
-Steaming
-Cooking

Tools that could be used in harvesting specimen L

- Hook and line
-Nets such as Scoop net, Cast net, Gill net, Siene net
- Fishing spear/Harpoon
- Fish gourd
- Fishing basket
-Fish trap

Main food nutrients obtainable from specimens L

- Protein

Functions of the main nutrients obtainable from specimen L (Tilapia)

- For growth and body building
- Repair of damaged tissues
- Replacement of worn out body tissues
- Synthesis of enzymes, hormones and other body fluids
- Formation of animal products such as milk, eggs, wool, fur, feather

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SPECIMEN M - HAY

Major nutrient found in Specimen M is:

Carbohydrate

Functions of the major nutrients found is specimen M (ie, functions of Carbohydrate)

- It is the main source of energy for animals
- It is source of materials necessary for fattening/fat storage
- It helps in the formation of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA

Description of Process of preparing specimen M

- Cut forage before flowering
- Forage material is chopped
- Spread chopped forage/regular turning of spread forage
- Dry to reduce moisture content
- Dry to maintain its green colour
- Bale / pack
- Stack / store in a dry place

OR
Description of the process of preparing specimen M
Harvest fresh grass before flowering
Spread thinly on a drying platform
Turn at intervals
Dry the grass but retain the colour
Pack/bail after drying
Store/stack in a dry place

OR
Description of the process of preparing specimen M
Harvest fresh grass before flowering. Chop plant into pieces. Partially chop wilted material under
the sun. Put wilted material into silage pit. Compress the material well. Sprinkle a little dilute
mineral acid. Add nitrogen fertilizer. Repeat the preceding steps until the pit is full. Cover the pit to
make it air tight and water tight.

Feed ingredients or Feedstuffs that could be used in place of specimen N (fish meal)
- Meat and bone meal
- Blood meal
- Maggot meal
- Shrimp meal/crayfish meal
- Whole milk/skimmed milk
- Earthworm meal
- Feather meal
- Poultry eggs/offals
- Insect meal
- Palm kernel cake
- Groundnut cake meal
- Cotton seed meal

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SPECIMEN N - FISH MEAL

Major nutrient obtainable/supplied by specimen N (Fish meal) in animal diet

- Protein

Importance/functions of major nutrient supplied by specimen N

-It assists in growth and body building
-It repairs and replaces worn out tissues in the body
-It synthesizes enzymes, hormones as well as body fluids.
-It helps in the formation of gametes in reproduction.
-It helps in the production of antibodies
-It helps in the formation of animal products such as eggs, milk, etc.
- It helps in the production of protective covering e.g. hair, nail
- It helps in formation of haemoglobin for transportation of oxygen in blood
- It serves as a source of energy

Description of the process of preparing specimen N

Fish or fish waste is cooked to remove water and oil.
The cooked fish is then dried to reduce moisture content.
The dried fish is ground into a fine powder or cake.
This powder or cake is the final fish meal product, which is rich in protein and used in animal feed.

OR
Description of the process of preparing specimen N
Fish or fish waste is ground and dried
The ground material is cooked and pressed to extract moisture and oil
The cooked fish is then dried again to reduce moisture content
Finally, the dried fish is ground into a powder or cake form
This process helps extract nutrients and create a protein-rich product

OR
Description of the process of preparing specimen N
Specimen N is made through a process that involves grinding, cooking, pressing, drying, and
grinding the fish or fish waste. The fish or fish parts are first ground and dried, then cooked and
pressed. After that, the cooked fish is dried again and finally ground into a powder or cake form.
This process is designed to extract the nutrients from the fish and create a valuable protein-rich
product.

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