Study specimens V (EARTH WORM), W (PADDY RICE), X (GROUNDNUT SEEDS) and Y (MAIZE STEM BORER) carefully and answer the following questions.
(a) State four ways in which specimen V is important in Agriculture.
(b) Outline the steps involved in processing each of specimens W and X into polished rice and groundnut cake respectively.
(c) Mention three measures used in controlling specimen Y on a farm
Explanation
(a) It is important in agriculture because Earthworm aerate the soil. It helps to improve soil structure Through burrowing they leave holes for crop root penetration. They improve soil water percolation or drainage.
(b) W (PADDY RICE);
- Sundrying: Dry the fresh rice for 3-4 days.
- Threshing: use either manual or mechanical threshers to separate shafts from grains.
- Winnowing: This is used to remove dust shafts from stalk or grains.
- Parboiling: This is used to reduce breakage of grain, The paddy rice is boiled for about 12-15 hrs. The husks are easily removed
- Hulling; This is the removal of the husks from the grains.
- Polishing involves the use to specially designed machines to remove the husk and that layers Covering the grains polishing also involves removal of rice grain which is very Proteins and rich in Vitamins.
X (GROUNDNUT SEEDS)
- Harvested nuts should be dried properly. The seeds are removed from the shells by Pounding them slightly with mortal or by beating them with sticks.
- Small shelling or decorticating machine can be used to remove the seeds from the fruit
(c) Plant resistant variety, early planting spray the farm with insectiales e.g. Gammalin 20. Uproot and burn the crop, practice crop rotation