Post planting operations

POST PLANTING OPERATIONS

Post planting operations are the operations carried out after planting. It creates a good condition and proper maintenance for plants growth.

Post planting operations include the following:

(a)        Thinning.

(b)        Supplying.

(c)        Irrigation/watering.

(d)        Use of manure and fertilizer.

(e)        Mulching.

(f)        Weeding.

THINNING

This is the removal of excess, weak or not well positioned seedlings from a seedbed after the viable seeds have germinated.

ADVANTAGES OF THINNING

1. It helps to avoid overcrowding.
2. Proper aeration is ensured leading to high yield.

SUPPLYING

This is the replanting of propagative materials where they fail to germinate, especially when no germination trial was carried out before planting. Replanting should be done as soon as possible.

ADVANTAGES OF SUPPLYING

1. Correct plant population can be maintained.
2. The crop plant attains uniform maturity.

EVALUATION

1. Define post-planting.
2. Mention two advantages of thinning.

IRRIGATION OR WATERING

Irrigation is the artificial watering of farmland especially during dry season.

ADVANTAGES OF IRRIGATION

1. It makes the soil temperature moderate for plant growth.
2. It enables a good nutrient supply to plant.

USE OF MANURE & FERTILIZER

This is the application of organic manure such as poultry droppings, cow dung and green manure or inorganic manure (made from chemicals) to the soil to maintain soil fertility.

ADVANTAGE OF MANURE/FERTILIZER

It supplies the plants with essential nutrients.

MULCHING

This is the covering of the surface of the soil with a layer of clean dry vegetative part of plant such as grasses or leaves.

ADVANTAGES OF MULCHING

1. It conserves soil moisture.
2. It regulates the soil temperature.
3. It reduces weed and prevent erosion.
4. It adds humus to the soil.

EVALUATION

1. What is post planting operations?
2. State and explain five post planting operations.
3. Mention two advantages of supplying.

WEEDING

This is the removal of unwanted plants (weed) from the farm. It is done for the following reasons:

1.         To avoid competition for nutrients moisture and sunlight between crops and weed.

2.         To avoid overcrowding in order to create enough space for the crop

3.         To prevent the build-up of pest and pathogens which may destroy the crops.

HARVESTING OPERATION

Harvesting: The removal of ripe or matured useful part of a crop is known as harvesting. Commonly harvested parts of a plant are tubers, leaves, fruits, seeds, roots etc.

Harvesting tools like cutlass, hoe, knife, sickle etc are usually used for harvesting and in mechanized farms, harvesters are used.

EFFECTS OF TIMELY VERSUS LATE HARVESTING

Delayed harvesting can lead to a total loss of products, although some crops like maize can be left on the field to get dry before harvesting, others like tomatoes and other perishables must be harvested immediately they are due for harvest. Delayed harvesting can lead to pest attack on crops or rottening of products.

POST-HARVESTING OPERATIONS

After harvesting, processing of the produce is required in order to make the produce more acceptable and to prevent spoilage. In some farm products, processing starts from the farm site, e.g. melon, groundnut, cassava etc.

FARM LEVEL PROCESSING

Melon is usually extracted from its pod and pulp on the farm, also groundnut is detached on the farm, at times, peeling of cassava starts from the farm. Extraction of cocoa beans from its pods, fermentation and drying of beans in most cases take place on the farm.

Other forms of processing like milling, de-huskingetc which cannot be done on the farm are done in factories where machines have been installed for that purpose.

STORAGE

After crops have been processed to usage forms, storage which is the keeping of farm products for future use is done. Methods of storage are: usage of barns, cribs, silos, refrigerators, baskets, sacks etc.

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. Define post planting operations?
2. What is harvesting?
3. List five harvesting tools.
4. Mention two consequences of delayed harvesting.

READING ASSIGNMENT

Prescribed Agricultural Science for junior Secondary Schools,Bk 3.by A Youdeovei.  pgs 141-142.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1.         Harvesting involves the removal of ——– crops.  A. big  B.  matured C. small D. smooth

2.         Harvesting tools include the following except  A.  basketB.  knife  C.  harvesterD. secateurs

3.         One of the effects of late harvesting is……… A. increase of harvest B. loss of product C. sale of product D. enhanced market

4.         One of the reasons for processing is………. A. to increase the quantity of the product B. to make it scarce C. to prevent spoilage D. to increase demand

5.         Methods of storage include the following except? A. use of barns B. use of shops C. use of baskets. D. use of silos

THEORY

1. What is storage?
2. Mention two crops whose processing starts from the farm.