(a) ldentify specimens B and C.
(b) Name the soil organisms which produce each of specimens B and C.
(c) State four beneficial effects of each of the organisms mentioned in (b) on agriculture.
(d) Why is it advisable to discourage multiplication of the organism which produces specimen C in a farm?
(e) Name two other soil organisms and their effects on soils
Explanation
(a)) ldentification of specimens:
- B - Worm Cast.
- C - Ant hill.
(b) The soil organism which produces specimen B is earthworm while the one that produces specimen C is termite.
(c)(i) Four beneficial effects of organism producing specimen B on Agriculture are:
- It helps in the decomposition of organic matter in the soil
- It mixes soil mineral matter with organic matter
- It improves the structure of the soil
- It also improves the aeration of the soil
(ii) Four beneficial effects of organisms producing specimen C on Agriculture include:
- lt It helps in the decomposition of organic matter in the soil
- They improve the soil structure
- They improve soil aeration.
- When they die, they add organic matter to the soil.
(d) lt is advisable to discourage the multiplication of the organism which produces specimen C in a farm for the following reasons;
- They shift large amount of sub-soil to the surface thereby, forming ant hill which limits cultivable space
- They destroy crop plants
- They destroy wooden handles of farm tools.
- They create wounds which serve entry point for disease pathogen on crop plants.
(e) Two other soil organisms are: (i) Millipede and (ii) Nematode
(i) Effects of Millipedes on the soil
- They aid decomposition of organic matter
- They improve the structure of the soil
- They allow easy percolation of water.
- They improve soil aeration
(ii) Effects of Nematodes on the soil;
- They help to improve the aeration of the soil.
- They aid percolation of water
- They improve the soil structure
- Some are pests on major crops