✅ Here are the answers to the questions provided in the image:
(d) Manure and Organic Fertilizers
(i) Distinguish between green manure and farmyard manure.
| Feature | Green Manure | Farmyard Manure (FYM) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin/Source | Specific crops (e.g., legumes like sunn hemp or non-
legumes) that are grown on the farm and then plowed directly into the soil
while still green or shortly after flowering. | Decomposed mixture of animal
excreta (dung and urine) from livestock, along with bedding material (like
straw or crop residues) used in the animal shelter. |
| Preparation | Involves growing a crop for the purpose of manuring and
incorporating it into the soil. | Involves collecting, piling, and decomposing
animal waste and bedding over a period of time.
(ii) State three ways in which organic fertilizers are important to the
soil.
Organic fertilizers (like manure and compost) are vital to soil health in the
following three ways:
* Improves Soil Structure: They add organic matter which binds soil particles
together, improving soil aeration, drainage (in heavy clay soils), and water
retention (in light sandy soils).
* Increases Soil Fertility: They supply essential plant nutrients (like Nitrogen,
Phosphorus, and Potassium) which are released slowly as the organic matter
decomposes, providing long-term nutrition for crops.
* Enhances Biological Activity: They provide food and habitat for beneficial
soil microorganisms (like bacteria, fungi, and earthworms), increasing
microbial biodiversity and improving nutrient cycling within the soil.
(a) Animal Identification
(i) Explain the term identification as used in animal production.
Identification in animal production is the systematic process of giving
individual farm animals a unique and permanent mark or number.
The purpose of this is to establish a clear identity for each animal, which is
the basis for keeping accurate management records (like pedigree, birth
date, breeding history, health records, and production data such as milk yield
or weight gain) to enable effective selection and culling.
(ii) Describe two methods of identifying farm animals.
Two common methods of identifying farm animals are:
* Ear Tagging:
* Description: A plastic or metal tag with a unique number or code is
attached to the animal's ear using a special applicator tool.
* Advantage: It is a quick, easy, and visible method for quick reading and
recording.
* Branding:
* Description: A distinctive mark (letter or number) is made on the animal's
skin, typically on the hindquarters. It can be done using extreme heat (hot
branding) or extreme cold (freeze branding) to permanently destroy the hair
follicles or skin cells.
* Advantage: It provides a permanent and easily visible mark that is
difficult to alter, which is useful for proof of ownership and preventing theft.
This video demonstrates ear tags for cattle which is a popular method of
animal identification in livestock farming: Ear tags for cattle || identification
of farm animals.