CROP production, agriculture, revision question, horticulture

NYS SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE
CROP PRODUCTION I




COMPREHENSIVE KNEC REVISION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR
DIPLOMA IN AGRICULTURE MODULE 111


CONTENT

 OLERICULTURE(VEGETABLE PRODUCTION)

 POMOLOGY(FRUIT PRODUCTION)

 FLORICULTURE( FLOWER PRODUCTION)

 POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY FOR PERISHABLE HORTICULTURAL FRESH
PRODUCE

 POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY FOR NON-PERISHABLE HORTICULTURAL
PRODUCE)




PREPARED BY: MRS.KATUMBI M. MARGARET

CROP PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT-YSOA

,1. Name four types of deciduous fruits giving example in each case

 Stone (drupes) fruit trees-have a large pit, hard seed in the middle e.g. Apricots,
mangoes, plums and nectarines

 Pome fruit trees-e.g. apples, quince, pears and have multiple seeds inside

 Multi seeded deciduous fruits e.g. apples, pears
 Single seeded(deciduous berry trees) e.g. plums, cherries, strawberry, raspberries
 Figs and persimmons-have robust growth

2.(a) Describe carrots under the following headings;

i) Root morphology

-The shape is mostly conical but extend of taper varies among the cultivars

-Length of the root varies between 10-25 cm

-Colour ranges from orange, white, purple and red

-the root is unbranched and has a root cap (tip cover) to protect the tap root from scratches
and produce mucigel for easy movement of the root through the soil

-has epidermis (skin)

Has root hairs which are short lived and increase surface area of the root

Has cortex (phloem and xylem).the xylem is the core while the phloem is the pulp

ii) Temperature requirement

-Carrot is a cool season crop but can tolerate warmer conditions.

-High soil temperatures affect seed germination, taste and root colour and also retard growth

-High soil temperature results in pale coloured short roots (stumpy roots) which are also
bitter and fibrous

- The optimum for seed germination is 25-300C while for growth and good colour
development of roots is 16-210C.

- Very low temperatures encourage bolting (flowering) an early stage.

iii) Soil requirement

-Careful soil/land preparation is key to successful carrot production. The soil should be fine
tilth

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Prepared by: MARGARET KATUMBI (MRS)

,-Deep, Well drained, loose friable loams free from lumps of soil and stones and other
obstacles

-Fertile soils. Fresh organic matter causes forking of the roots

-Soils PH of 6.5-6.8/7.5 are ideal

-Soil rich in K promote solid sweet carrots

-Excess N causes branching and hairy roots

-Carrots are sensitive to soil salinity (high salt concentration)

(b) Describe harvesting and storage of carrots (5marks)

 Carrots mature in 3-4 months (70-85 days) after planting.

 The roots are dug out or pulled but is recommended to irrigate the land before
harvesting to avoid damage to the root during harvesting.

 For fresh market, medium to large roots are harvested but for canning, young tender
roots are the best.

 They are then placed under the shade and washed carefully to remove adhering soil
before grading. Flaccid and fibrous roots are discarded

 Carrots should be stored in a cool (less than 100C) and slightly moist environment.

 The top green leafy part can be removed if the desired storage time is shorter.

3. Describe the maturity index of water melon

 Tendrils opposite the fruit dies
 Dull sound when the fruit is tapped with the finger
 Changed fruit colour
 Vegetative parts starts drying

4. Describe the pre harvest factors which influence post-harvest quality of cut flowers.

 The material for planting should be of good quality and free from pest and diseases.
 Provide optimum temperature and light intensity since each flower requires a
particular maximum and minimum temperature for optimum growth
 Supply of nutrients(fertilization) at the different stages of flower development as
required
 Adequate Water supply
 Crop protection(control pest and diseases in the field)

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Prepared by: MARGARET KATUMBI (MRS)

,  Proper and timely cultural practices e.g. pruning, pinching and disbudding.

5. What are the causes of each of the following disorders in chrysanthemums?

i) Stunted growth with small leaves

-Lack of enough Nitrogen

-Pests and disease attack

ii) Marginal leaf burn

-Heat/water stress

6. Explain the factors that cause floral and fruits drop in mangoes.

 Environmental factors like wind, extreme temperatures and high rainfall
 Attack by pests and diseases e.g. powdery mildew and mango anthracnose
 Moisture stress causing wilting and drop of flowers and immature fruits
 Physical and mechanical damages e.g shaking of the tree
 Maturity and senescence
7. Describe harvesting, grading and packaging of French beans for export market
Harvesting:
 Commences 6-8 weeks after planting and continues for 1.5-2 months
 Picking is done regularly at intervals ideally 3 times a week
 The pods are carefully picked with a stalk still attached
 Avoid harvesting during wet conditions
 A yield of 4-8 tons/Ha of variety monel is realised with good management
Post-harvest handling:
 Due to need for quality assurance, clean facility must be installed in the
packing/grading sheds to ensure that workers wash their hands regularly and sick
workers should not handle produce
 Harvested pods should be placed in clean, plastic containers and covered with a clean
damp cloth to avoid shrivelling.
 The pods should be taken to the grading shed or put under the shade
 The produce is sorted out to remove broken, malformed, overgrown, off types and
insect damaged pods.
Packaging, pre cooling and transportation:
 The pods are packed in corrugated fibre board cartons of 3kgs gross weight or plastic
pre packs weighing 350-500 or 1000g
 The pods are pre cooled to remove field heat at 7-80C using forced air coolers and 95-
100% RH for up to 12 weeks

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Prepared by: MARGARET KATUMBI (MRS)