Food production and storage - SS2 Biology Past Questions and Answers - page 2

Some roles of government in agricultural production:

• Provision of financial assistance
• Provision of high-quality planting materials
• Provision of agrochemicals (fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides)
• Provision of farming equipment
• Provision of storage facilities
• Provision of up-to-date research
• Provision of transport networks
• Provision of storage and processing facilities

Pasteurization is a heat treatment process used to kill or inactivate harmful microorganisms present in food and beverages. Named after the French scientist Louis Pasteur, pasteurization helps to ensure the safety and extend the shelf life of perishable products. The most common application of pasteurization is in the dairy industry, where milk is heated to a specific temperature for a specified time to destroy pathogens while retaining its nutritional value. Pasteurization also plays a crucial role in the preservation of other beverages like fruit juices, beer, and wine. By eliminating or reducing the microbial load, pasteurization helps to safeguard public health and allows for the widespread availability of safe and wholesome food and drinks.

Soil pH influences nutrient availability by affecting chemical reactions, nutrient forms, and microbial activity. For example, acidic soils (low pH) often have limited availability of essential nutrients like phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium, whereas alkaline soils (high pH) may limit the availability of micronutrients like iron, manganese, and zinc

Some ways of replenishing soil fertility are:

a.       Organic Matter Addition

b.       Green Manure/Cover Crops

c.       Crop Rotation

d.       Green Waste Recycling

e.       Organic Fertilizers

f.        Inorganic Fertilizers

g.       Nutrient Amendments

some ways of replenishing soil fertility are:

a.       Organic Matter Addition

b.       Green Manure/Cover Crops

c.       Crop Rotation

d.       Green Waste Recycling

e.       Organic Fertilizers

f.        Inorganic Fertilizers

g.       Nutrient Amendments