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Crops must be harvested at a stage of readiness that will ensure that it reaches the consumer in a good condition - NSC Agricultural Management Practices - Question 4 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 4
Crops must be harvested at a stage of readiness that will ensure that it reaches the consumer in a good condition. 4.1.1 Name THREE physiological crop maturity indi... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Crops must be harvested at a stage of readiness that will ensure that it reaches the consumer in a good condition - NSC Agricultural Management Practices - Question 4 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
4.1.1 Name THREE physiological crop maturity indicators.
Answer
Physiological indicators of crop maturity are essential as they help determine the right time for harvesting. Three important indicators include:
- Color of the Crop: The change in color indicates that the crop has reached maturity and is ready for harvesting.
- Firmness: Mature crops tend to have a firmer texture, which can be tested by gently squeezing the fruit or vegetable.
- Sugar Content: A higher sugar content in fruits generally signifies maturity and readiness for harvest.
Step 2
4.1.2 State the disadvantages of hand-harvesting.
Answer
Hand harvesting, while traditional and often necessary for certain crops, carries several disadvantages:
- Labor-Intensive: Hand-harvesting requires significant manual labor, making it less efficient and more costly than mechanized methods.
- Weather Dependent: The success of hand harvesting can be heavily influenced by weather conditions, making it unreliable at times.
- Limited Harvesting Area: Due to the need for manual intervention, only small areas can be harvested at a time compared to machine harvesting.
- Vulnerability to Theft: Hand-harvested crops may be more susceptible to theft when left in the field awaiting collection.