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a) (i) Name two varieties of maincrop potatoes - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question Question 1 - 2018
Question Question 1
a) (i) Name two varieties of maincrop potatoes. (ii) Describe the growing of potatoes under the following headings: 1. Soil preparation. 2. Fertiliser use. 3. Weed ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:a) (i) Name two varieties of maincrop potatoes - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question Question 1 - 2018
Step 1
Step 2
Describe the growing of potatoes under the following headings: Soil preparation.
Answer
The preparation of soil for planting potatoes involves ploughing or rotavating the land to create a fine seedbed. This can also include harrowing to remove stones and create drills or ridges to facilitate proper drainage and growth.
Step 3
Describe the growing of potatoes under the following headings: Fertiliser use.
Answer
Fertiliser can be applied at planting using a balanced formula such as 10-10-20 or 7-6-17. This helps to ensure the potatoes receive adequate nutrients, promoting healthy growth and maximizing yield, while avoiding over-application of nitrogen (N).
Step 4
Describe the growing of potatoes under the following headings: Weed control.
Answer
Weed control can be achieved through mechanical means such as hoeing or by applying herbicides as necessary. Additionally, using cover crops or crop rotation can help suppress weed growth, ensuring the potatoes have optimum growing conditions.
Step 5
Describe the growing of potatoes under the following headings: Potato blight control.
Answer
Control of potato blight involves the use of certified blight-resistant varieties, regular monitoring for symptoms, and applying fungicides as needed. Crop rotation and proper sanitation practices can also help to mitigate the risk of blight.
Step 6
State three reasons why farmers would use certified seed potatoes.
Answer
- True-to-type seeds that guarantee genetic consistency.
- Seeds that are free from viruses and diseases, leading to healthier crops.
- Certified seeds often result in improved yields, making them economically beneficial.
Step 7
Describe an experiment to estimate the yield of a potato crop prior to harvesting.
Answer
To estimate potato yield, a farmer can measure a known area of the field (in m²) and count the number of potatoes harvested from that area. This yield can then be extrapolated to the entire field by calculating the average number of potatoes per m², and then multiplying by the total area (in m²). For example: