o PAPER TWO
PLANT REPRODUCTION
gametes
specialized reproductive cells called spores
Sexual reproduction
The flower is that part of the plant adapted for the purpose of reproduction
in a single flower
Morpholosy of a monocoty
The inflorescence of a rvheat plant is a spike
The two ovaries, three stamen and two swelling bodies
The functions of the various floral pans of the monotyledonous flou-er largely coincide
with those of a dicotyledonous flower
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due to
1. brightly coloured petals
2. attracting smell
3. nector
while flowers provided the insects with nector
ARTIFICIAL CROSS POLLINATION
ARTIFICIAL CROSS-POLLINATION is the purposeful pollination of a florver of a particular
cultivar artificiall,v ii'ith the pollen from a flower of another cultivar.
Reasons for artifi cial cross-pollination
another flower
contamination b-v foreign pollen grains
way
to the stigma of the stigma
FERTILIZATION
Fertilization is the union of the haploid gametes of the male and female form a diploid zygote.
Germination of pollen grain
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Iolleli tr.rbe
Ilale garnetar.s
Veeetauve nurleLis
The pollen grain is transferred by some agents to the stigma of the receptive flower
The hard outer wall of the polien grain soflens and the gratn splits open
The softer inner wall (intine) grows through the stigma down the style in the form of a
wire-shaped pollen tube
The contents of the pollen tube moves downwards in the tube
the pollen grain contains two nuclei
a. vegetative nucleus- determines growth direction of the pollen tube
b. generative nucleus-divides to form two male gametes
The pollen tube grows through the cervix(integument) into the gern sac.
Vegetative nucleus disappears
The tip of the pollen splits open to release tu,o male gametes into the gerrn sac.
Germinating pollen grain
Functions of the different nuclei
a. Vegetative nucleus- controls grorx'th direction of pollen tube
b. Generative nuclei- divided into two to form male gametes
fruit
for the germinating embryo
Auxiliary cells- destroyed when the pollen tube grows into the genn sac
Antipodal cells- assist for a while but eventually disintegrate
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a. Pt occss uf fcrlilisa(ion
E
v,
m 1,,{ ale gametes
Vegetalive aucltus
Intrgrmrcrrt
Au:ilio{r s3ll5
Ovun (rgg cell)
Endosperrn cdl
O','uk
G:nn e tc
Anlpod,:t calls
Uml!.Lcus
Figure 4.8. Fertilisation
Double fertilization
Development of fruit
petals etc)
a. Simple fiuits fruit which develop from a single ovary (e.g, orange, peaches. beans etc.)
b. Multiple fruits - fiuits which develop from a single flower with numerous ovaries that all
develop into small fruits (e.g. strawberry and rasberries)
c. Compound fruits - fruits which develop from the ovaries of separate flowers (e.g.
pineapples and figs)
d. Accessor), fruits- fruits which do not develop from the ovaty itself, but from other
developed structures (e.g. nuts)
Fruits-settine
Fruit-settins - refer to the initial marked swelling of the ovary and pedicel after fall.
Requirements of fruits-setting
a. Pollination
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b. Ferlilization
c. Parthenoarpy
- Vegetation parthenoca{py (no pollination for fruit setting)
- Simulative parthenocarpy (pollination, but no fertilization)
Ablactation
Ablactation is the dropping of already set fiuitless within the first ten days of their formation
Factors that influence ablactation
a. Biological factors
- Flower produce very little pollen
- Malformation of flowers
b. Soil factors
- Shortage of certain nutrients (e.g. nitrogen)
- Shortage of water during flowering period
- Too much soil moisture (water-logged soil
- Mineral deficiencies
c. Climate conditions
- Low temperature
- Frost
- Rain during pollination
- Very strong wind
d. Spravinq of trees
Factors influencing the grow,th rate of plants
a. Physical factors
b. Chemical factors
ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Two tvpes of asexual reproduction
a. Natural asexual reproduction
b. Artificial asexual reproduction
Natural asexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction in plants takes place naturally
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Tlpes of natural asexual reproduction
'l=LrJ
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-t r,t bef Au j
EL)lh
lart yea:r: com rwultan rtcm
rontaiaing corm
coBl\{
Figlre 4 23 Corms
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Pigurc 4.25. Ptantlet on a leaf of a Begonia pot-plant
ii. Split grafting
iii. h{achine graf(ing
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,1.20. Frgure 4.21. Different grafting cuts
Figlre Split gratting
a. Rhizomes (rhizome
b. Bulbs (onions
c. Corns
' d. Tubers (potatoes
e. Runners (strawberry
f. Planet formation
e. Slips (grapes
h. Suckers (bananas
Twes of artificial asexual reproduction
a. Cutting
b. Division
c. Grafting
d. Budding
e. Radiations
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PLANT IMPROVEMENT
All crops grown today originated from wild plants. Modern crops results of being improved
Ways of plant improvement
o Selection
o Hybrid seeds
o Certified seeds
o Genetically modified plants
a. Selection
This is a process of impror ing cultivation by choosin-s the best plants u'hich is
collected from seeds
b. Hybrid seeds
These are plants that result from the controlled cross-pollination and are usuaill'better than
both the parent culti-'-ars
Advantages of hybrid seeds
Disadvantages of hvbrid seeds
c. Certified seeds
This is a system of helping farmers to buy good quality seeds
d. Genetically modified plants
that allow scientist to move genetic material between organism with the aim of
changing their characteristics
receipt organism and change its characier
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f-.
PROCESS OF DE\'ELOPING GM PLANT/TECHNIGUES USED TO GENETICALLY
MODIFIED PLANT
crown gall diseases in wound
chromosomes of the plant . It can onll'be used in dicotyledonous plant e.g tobacco
tomato,potato,cotton
electric current is passed through the solution u luch makes cells petmeable and ailow
desirable gene to enter the cells and incorporated into the plant DNA
the recipient plant
the embryo, the gene spread inside the plant cell and incorporated into the plant s DNA
and grow into a whole plant using tissue culture technigues
-Micro-injection
-Gene gun i biolistic
-Agro-bacterium tumefaciens
-Electroporation
-Recombination DNA
-Gene silencing
-Gene splicing
-Lipofection
-Calcium phosphate precipitation
embryo
AIMS OF GEIYETICALLY MODIFIED ANIMALS
USES OF GEI{ETIC ALLY MODIFIED PLA}ITS
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RISK MODIFIED ORGANISM/OR PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT GMO
weeds that cannot be controlled
SOIL MICRO-ORGANISMS
through microscope
fermentation of beer or wine
The maior qroups of micro-organisms in the soil
There are five major groups of micro-organisms in the soil
a. Bacteria
b. Actinomyeetes
c. Fungi
d. Algae
e. Protozoa
The importance and effects of micro-organisms
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Requirements of soil micro-organisms
CARBORN CONVERSION
Carbon conversion is the changing and utilization of carbon in the atmosphere into a form which
itcan be used by plant to manufacture their own food
r The carbon cYcle:
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Factors influencing decav
NITRO GEN C OI'.{VERSION
Nitrogen conversion is the transformation of nitrogen gas from the atmosphere and into a form in
which it can be used by plants to manufacture their own food
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' The nitrogen cycle
Sources ofnitrogen
Ammonification - is the process in which ammonium is released from organic matter by the
activities of soil organisms
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Factors that influence ammonification
NITRIFICATION
Is the process in which ammonium is converted to nitrates by micro-organisms
infl uencing nitrifi cation FactoI!
DENITRIFICATION
Is the process in which nitrates are reduced with the liberation of nitrous oxide and nitrogen gas
Factors infl uencing denitrilication
Nitrogen assimulation
Is the absorption and fixing of nitrogen compounds by soil micro-organisms
Factors influencing nitrogen assimulation
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Non-syrnbiotic fixation
Is a process in which micro-organisms assimulate nitrogen gas in the soil u'ithout help from
other organisms
Sr.mbiosis or mutualism
ls a situation in which two organism's line together supporting each other in some way or the
other
Parasite
Is the situation where one organisms benefit from the host and cause serious harm
PLANT PROTECTION
The following factors cause decrease in production
N&
Diseases
microscope
Methods of transmission of plants vital disease
There are three main tvpes of plant diseases
a. Fungal diseases
They can be seen without microscope
b. Bacterial diseases * they can only be seen u,ith a microscope
c. Viral diseases- they are much smaller than bacterial diseases and can only be seen with a
powerful electron microscope
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Controllins pests and diseases
There are three basic ways of controlling pests and diseases
a. Organic or biological methods
b. Chemical methods
c. Cultural methods
d. Integrated methods
Organic methods of controlling pests and diseases
Chemical control of pest and diseases
Farmers must take serious precaution, when using chemicals, because.
How to use pesticides safelv
a. Before spraying
Read the label carefully
b. While spraying
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c. After spraving
CULTURAL METHOD
This is to plant two or different crops
INTERGRATED N{ETHODS
In this control methods different methods can be used together depending on the farmer's
situation
PESTS
Plant pests are animals that feed on plants. There are three main types of pests in plants areas
a. Nematodes (roundworms) - are worns that differ greatly in size, from microscopic (very
small) to half a meter in length.
b. Molluses (slugs and snails)- they have soft, unsegment bodies divided into tu,o main
plants: shell and head-foot
c. Archnids (mites)- they are pin prick-sized parasites of plants
d. Insects - are arthropods with six legs and wings
Pests cause two main damages in plants which are chewing and smoking
Controlling pests and diseases
There are three basic ways to control pests and diseases
a. Organic or biological methods
b. Chemical methods
c. Integrated control
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WEEDS
Weeds are plants that grow where they are not wanted. Weeds are to be controlled because they
have a number of negative effects like (disadvantage)
Characteristics of weeds
Controlling weeds
There are different kinds of methods of controlled weeds
a. Mechanical weed control
b. Cultivating
c. Hand pulling
d. Herbicides(non-selective and selective herbicides
OPTIMAL RESOURCES UTILIZATION
Agricultural resources
Natural agricultural resources are
a. Soil
b. Vegetation
c. Terrain
d. Climate
e. Water
Imnortance and functions of soil
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Importance and functions of veqetation
Importance and functions of terrain
t. Time of exposure to solar radiation
b. Slope angle
c. Altitude - is the height above sea -level
altitudes
Importance and functions of climate
a. Rainfall - the effectiveness of the rainfall is determined by the time of the year it takes
place
b. Humidity - the lower the relative humidity, the greater the rate of evaporation and
transpiration
c. Light - the duration of the light period determines the photoslnthesis acti\-ity of crops
d. Temperature - plants need optimum temperature to grow and produce
e. Wind - strong wind causes damage to plants and increase transpiration
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Importance and functions of u,ater I'\\)
Soil survev and mapping
Components of soil survev
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Aim of soil survey
To classify, locate on a map and describe the nature of soil in the fie1d
Aim of soil mappins
To differentiate betrn,een different soil charactenstics and area when they occur
Example
a. Land for agriculrural and non-agricultural use
b. Soils suitable for different crops
c. Soils hazardous to erosion
d. Soils for classification
Methods of soil survev (stases)
General principles of regional and farm planning
a. Physical planning - consist of the dissociation of resources such as soil. terrain. climate,
vegetation and u'ater
b. Biological planning - consist of investigation which crops or animals u'ould ensure
optimal utilization of the farm
-different tlpes of veld are separated
Natural pastures
a. Scrub
b. Forest types
c. Savanna
a. Kalahari thronveld and bushveld
b. Sour bushveld
tlB 71.
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c. Mixed bushveld
d. Sweet bushveld
e. Eastem mixed bushveld
f. Valley bushveld
d. Grassland
a. Climate climax grassland
b. Fire climax grassland
e. Semi-desert
a. Karoo
b. Semi-desert
The ecological approach to veld manaqement
Ecology is the study of the relationship betu,een living organisms and the interrelation between
them and their environment.
The plant soil water equilibrium
provide water to the plants
better the plant growth
Plant succession and change in veld composition
vegetation
development
Limitations and deviations with normal plant succession cvcle
a. Climate - insufficient rainfall or extreme temperature may terminate (stop) succession at
certain stages
b. Fire - fire may terminate succession at intermediate stages
c. Grazing- certain areas which could have developed into forest are today still in the
grassland stage
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d. Soil condition - prevents vegetation from developing to its china potential. (e.g. shallow
soil, highly leached soil and u,ater logged soil)
Factors influencing plant succession
a. Climate - rainfall and temperarure greatly influence the rate t u,hich succession takes
place
b. Soil type - improved soil conditions determine hou, far and how fast plant succession
will develop
c. Management - with competent (e.g controlling selective grazing and the burning of
vegetation, plant succession can be advanced (der eloped) into climax vegetation.
Principles of veld manaeement
a. The management unit - for any grazing management. the farm has to be divides.into
camps(areas) with a homogenous vegetation
b. Types of management
c. Land animal ration - determination of how much stock could be grazed on the farm
throughout the year
CONTROL. CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF WATER
State's function in x'ater schemes
a. Control of the distribution of water among consumers
b. Control of water pollution
c. Control of subterranean \\:ater
d. Control of catchment areas
e. Other schemes such as private dams
WATER QUALITY
Criteria (factors) that influence water qualitv
) "sodium absorptionratio (SAR)
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Irrisation methods
Tvoes of irrisation methods
a. Flood irrigation
b. Spray (sprinkle) irrigation
c. Drip inigation
d. Micro-jet irrigation
e. Scheduled irrigation
Factors to be considered in flood irrigation
Flood irrieation
Tvpes of flood irrisation
a. Bed irrigation
b. Furrow irrigation
Disadvantages of flood irrigation
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Sprav irrigation
Tvpes of spray irrigation
a. Small rotating heads
b. Centre-pivot systems
c. Sprinkler guns
d. Drag-line system
e. Movable spray lines
f. Mechanized spray irrigation system
Advantages of sprav irrigation
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Disadvantages
Drip irrisation
o It is the frequent and slou,application of dripping water through small outlets(emitters)
Advantases of drip irrigation
Disadvantages
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Micro-irrieation
It is the application of water by micro-jets or spray
Advantages of micro-irrigation
Disadvantages
Scheduled irrigation
It is the application of water when plants require it
Factors of scheduled irrigation
Devices (instruments) used in scheduled irrisation
a. Evaporation pan- to estimate water loss by transpiration
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b. Tensiometer- to measure soil water tension
Sealed yaa
Cap assembly
Reservoir
Slopper
Air free
gauge
Ceramic tip
Fig 4.1A: A knsiometer
How evaporation pan is used
How tensiometer are used
Drainage
It is the removal of water from the soil by artificial means
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-
roLl< ,,
or 3 u f 141e',
Stona
! Pip* Twes of
drainaee
a. Open drains
b. Rock (stones) drains
c. Pipe drains
Materials used in pipe drainage
Installation of drainage
Steps of drainage svstem
a. Planning and setting out
b. Excavation and preparation
c. Layout of pipes
, d. Backfilling
SOIL CULTTVATION.AIID CROP ROTATION
Soil cultivation
Aims of soil cultivation
r > To loosen the soil for better root penetration ::
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Important cultivation methods
a. Ploughing
b. Ripping
c. Ha:rowing
Cron rotation
Crop rotation is a system where different crops are grown one after the other on the same land
Figure 4.20 shaws croP rotation-
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Figure 4.2A: CroP rotation
Advantases of crop rotation
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Principles of crop rotation
?*1d
Mono-culture
Mono-culture is a system u'here same crop is cultivated (or grown) on the land
Advantages (reasons) of mono-culture
SOIL CONSERVATION
Soil erosion is the removal of the layers of the soil by agents of erosion such as wind, water etc
Factors that give rise to soil erosion
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Agricultural pollution
a. Pollution of food thoueh injudicious pesticides
Pesticides are common pollutants of food
Pesticides not decomposed in soil and plant may be harmful directly or indirectll
Pesticides are resisted by legislation
Regulation for the safe application of pesticides are dras'n up by authorizes
b. Pollution of water through in-iudicious asricultural practices
Effective sanitary measures can prevent water pollution on the farm
Runoff water from kraals and chicken results in high concentration of organic substances
in rivers
High concentration are then oxidized to carbon dioxide with the release of ammonia
Oxygen is then used up, therefore fish and other aquatic organisms
c. Pollution of the environment though iniudicious agricultural practice
CONTROLLED AGRICU LTURAL PRODUCTION
Greenhouse
Greenhouses are structures covered with transparent material in which the growing
conditions(climate) for plant growth can be controlled
Greenhouses can regulate:
a. Temperature
b. Light requirements
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. c. Air supply
d. Soil moisture
Advantages of greenhouses
Disadvantages
Cultivation of crops in non-soil medium
In greenhouses, soil is often exchanged for non-soil medium to grow plants
Functions of non-soil medium
Hydroponics
Hydroponic is the science of growing plants in a mechanism other than soil, by supplying the
roots with a complete nutrients solution
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Advantages
Disadvantages
requirements
Growins medium
Sand, gravel or insert soil material\
" Vermiculite
b.
c. Pearlite
d. Peat mess
e. Sawdust
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f. Straw
o Polystyrene
b'
AQUACT]LTURE
Aquaculture is the controlled production of living organisms that live in u,ater algae.
finfish and reptile like crocodiles, tortoises and frogs
The most common type of aquaculture is fish farming in farm dams.
Types of fish farms
Fresh water species are the most suitable for aquaculture. The main species are
sholl'n in Figure 4.33 a to d.
Figure 4.33a: Rainbovt brown trout Salmo gairdneri Figure 4 ,:3b: Platkopharder Mugil cephalus
Figure 4.33c: Africon cstfish Slartas gariepinus figure 4.3si: Tilopic srp. Oreochromis mossarnb,:.-,
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a. Intensive or extensive fish farms
in extensive systems, fish are reared at low densities in large ponds and are generally not
fed or maintained
ln intensive systems all nutrients are provided in the form of feed and water quality is
managed and controlle
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