(a) Explain the following terms as used in crop production: (i) floriculture; (ii) taungya farming; (iii) ley farming. (b) State eight uses of ornamental plants to man. (c) Mention four fibre crops grown in your country.
Explanation
(a) Explanation of terms used in crop production: (i) Floriculture: Production and management of ornamental plants such as trees, shrubs and flowers.
(ii) Taungya Farming: This is the planting of arable crops at early stages of forest establishment and the arable crops are harvested before the trees form canopies.
(iii) Ley farming: This is the cultivation of food crops with pasture crops. When food crops are harvested, the field quickly reverts to Pasture for grazing.
(b) Uses of ornamental plants to man: (1 ) Used for improving the aesthetic value of buildings/ roads/landscaping. (2) Used in parks and other recreational centers. (3) Provide shade. (4) Control erosion. (5) Serve as wind break. (6) Used for ceremonies such as wedding and funeral. (7) Used by people as symbol of love. (8) Some provide natural perfumes. (9) Used for educational and research purposes in botanical gardens. (10) Some are provide for medicinal purposes. (11) Provide employment to the florists. (12) Provide income to the florists/ foreign exchange. (13) Purifies the air. (14) Interior decoration of homes and offices. (15) Used to demarcate plots of land for fencing and privacy(16) Some serve as source of food for man. (17) control erosion
(c) Fibre crops grown in Nigeria are: (1) Cotton (2) Jute (3) Sisal 4) Kenaf (5) Silk cotton (6) Piassava