(a) What is forest reserve? (2 marks)
(b) State two advantages of taungya system of farming to each of the following: (i) farmers; (ii) foresters. (4 marks)
(c) With the aid of a diagram, describe the life cycle of yam beetle (Heteroligus metes). (6 marks)
(d) State two advantages of organic fertilizers over inorganic fertilizers. (2 marks)
(e) Name two varieties of oil palm. (2 marks)
Explanation
(a) Meaning of forest reserve: This is an area of land. preserved by law primarily to protect economic and endangered tree species.
(b) Advantages of Taungya System of Farming:
(i) Farmers: Can make use of available fertile land for farming. Improves farmers standard of living. Provides some forest products for farmer’s use (e.g. firewood/fuel). Provides adequate employment. Increases farmers knowledge on other areas of agriculture other than food crop production. Increases food production.
(ii) Foresters: Weeds are controlled by the farmers for the forester. Reduction in the cost of establishing a forest reserve. More farmland eventually come under forest cover. There is interdependence of forest trees and crops where legumes are planted.
(c) Description of the life cycle of yam beetle (Hete/roligus metes).
(i) The adult female lays eggs in moist soil under mulch during early planting of yam.
(ii) Eggs hatch into larvae which feed on decaying organic matter.
(iii) The larvae undergo three stages (moulting) before becoming pupae.
(iv) The pupae then moult into adults which attack the tubers.
(d) Advantages of organic fertilizers over inorganic fertilizers:
(i) Organic fertilizers are not easily leached in the soil.
(ii) Improve the soil structure.
(iii) Supply more nutrients.
iv) Are relatively cheaper than inorganic fertilizers.
(v) Nutrients in organic fertilizers are not volatile/have a longer effect on the soil.
(vi) Do not make the soil acidic/have buffering effects on the soil.
(vii) Promote the activities of soil micro-organisms.
(viii) Increase soil microbial population.
(ix) Help to regulate soil temperature.
(e) Varieties of oil palm: (i) Dura (ii) Tenera (iii) Pisifera