(a) ldentify specimens G H, l, and J.
Specimen G; Specimen H; Specimen I; Specimen J;
(b) State three factors that determine the population of specimen G in farmland.
(c) State four reasons why each of specimens G and l is important in agriculture.
(d) State two control measures of specimen I on a farm.
Explanation
(a) ldentification of specimens:
- G - Earthworm;
- H - Millipede;
- I - Termite;
- J - Soldier ant.
(b) Factors that determine the population of specimen G in farmland include:
- organic matter,
- content of the soil,
- water-holding capacity of the soil,
- level of soil aeration/degree of porosity,
- presence of vegetative cover,
- soil pH acidity,
- soil temperature.
(c) Importance G and I in Agriculture are:
Specimen G -Earthworm :
- Earthworm helps in the decomposition of organic matter in the soil.
- It also helps in mixing soil mineral matter with organic matter and improves soil structure.
- It improves soil aeration.
- When it dies it adds organic matter to the soil.
- It increases the rate of water percolation of the soil by creating channels for water drainage.
Specímen I - Termite:
- helps in the decomposition of organic matter in the soil
- improves the soil structure or loosen the soil,
- improves soil aeration,
- shifts large amount of subsoil to the surface or forms termitarium which limits cultivable space,
- destroys crop-plants and wooden handles of farm tools,
- creates wounds that serve as entry points for disease pathogens on crop-plantS,
- destroys wooden handles of farm tools,
- destroys wooden farm structures,
- when it dies, it adds organic matter to the soil,
- increases the rate of water percolation.
(d) Control measures of specimen I:
- smoking or burning,
- use of insecticides,
- regular ploughing,
- digging up the termitarium to destroy the queen.