(a) ldentify specimens N,O and P by their common and botanical names (6 marks)
specimen N;
specimen O;
specimen P;
(b) state how each of specimens N and O is propagated (2 marks)
(c) Give four characteristics of specimen O (4 marks)
(d) State three uses of specimen N (3 marks)
Explanation
(a) ldentification of specimens M, O and P by their common and botanical names
| Specimen | Common Name | Botanical Name |
| N | Elephant grass |
Pennisetun purpureum |
| O | Centro/Centrosema |
Centrosema pubescens |
| P | Tropical Kudzu |
Pueraria phaseoloides |
(b) How specimens N and O are propagated
| Specimen | Method Propagation |
| N | Stolons |
| O | Seeds |
(c) Characteristics of specimen O (Centro) -
- Vigorous and aggressive growing legume
- Creeping and twining plant
- Has trifoliate leaves attached to the stem by pulvinus
- Leafy, perennial, and shade tolerant
- Drought resistant
- Highly nodulated/contains bacteria in the nodules
- Highly palatable and very nutritious
(d) Uses of specimen N (Elephant grass)
- For feeding livestock
- For roofing/thatching of roof
- As mulch material to conserve soil moisture
- As bedding materials in livestock houses/pens
- Planted to prevent soil erosion
- Stalk is used as fuel
- Dried stems can be used for fencing
- Used for paper pulp production
- For compost making