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Give scientific explanations for any four of the following: (a) Use of a trailing shoe in slurry spreading - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 9 - 2018
Question 9
Give scientific explanations for any four of the following: (a) Use of a trailing shoe in slurry spreading. (b) Trees in a forest plantation are thinned at various... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Give scientific explanations for any four of the following: (a) Use of a trailing shoe in slurry spreading - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 9 - 2018
Step 1
Use of a trailing shoe in slurry spreading.
Answer
The trailing shoe method for slurry spreading involves applying slurry in narrow bands directly onto crop surfaces. This approach has several benefits: it minimizes nitrogen loss to the atmosphere, thus ensuring more nutrients are retained by the plants. Additionally, it reduces odor and environmental impact compared to more traditional methods, making it compliant with various farming regulations. This method also enhances soil aeration and allows for quicker grazing after spreading.
Step 2
Trees in a forest plantation are thinned at various time intervals.
Answer
Thinning involves selectively removing the poorest or damaged trees to reduce competition for light, nutrients, and water among the remaining trees. This practice leads to faster growth rates for those trees left standing and contributes to healthier and higher-quality timber production. Moreover, it improves the overall structure of the forest and increases the economic yield from timber sales.
Step 3
Algal bloom in waterways following rainfall in summer.
Answer
Algal blooms, often referred to as eutrophication, can occur when excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, runoff into rivers during summer rains. This nutrient enrichment promotes rapid algae growth, which can severely impact water quality by depleting oxygen levels and blocking sunlight, thereby harming aquatic life. Factors such as warm water temperatures further exacerbate the conditions facilitating these blooms.
Step 4
Use of a farrowing crate in pig production.
Answer
Farrowing crates are designed to restrict sow movement during the critical period of raising piglets. This confinement prevents the crushing of newborn piglets and makes it easier for the sow to nurse them effectively. By creating a safe environment, this system improves survival rates and overall management efficiency, allowing better access to creche areas and maintaining optimal temperature conditions for the piglets.
Step 5
Growth of rushes in grassland over gley soils.
Answer
Rushes often thrive in gley soils, which are poorly-drained and waterlogged. These conditions provide the rushes with adequate moisture but also restrict access to other competing plants due to the anaerobic conditions found in the soil. Furthermore, the cold conditions prevent many other species from establishing, allowing rushes to dominate and grow without competition.