In this hall, we are going to be looking at different practices or cultural practices in crop production such as transplanting, shading, supplying/filling-in, Nursery, seed rate, thinning, weeding, mulching, spacing, staking, and pruning.
Below are The Cultural Practices in Crop Production
TRANSPLANTING: Transplanting in Crop production typically refers to the process of moving a plant or seedling from one location, such as a seed tray or pot, to another, like a garden or larger container. This is done to provide more space for the plant to grow, improve its access to nutrients, and allow it to thrive in a new environment.
- The transfer of seedlings from nursery bed to their permanent position in the field.
- The tools used for transplanting are handtrowel, digger, hoe or cutlass
- Plant is removed with a ball of soil around its roots.
- mostly done in cool weather, in morning or evening times.
- Transplanting requires shading to reduce wilting.
- Soil around roots at permanent site are firmed to eliminate air pockets for good root establishment.
- Watering is done morning and evening.
- Usually done at the early stages of development of the crop plants, long before maturity.
- Usually after planting transplanting to reduce evapo-transpiration.
- Weak or disease seedlings should not be transplanted.
Irrigation: Providing water to crops in a controlled manner to ensure consistent growth of Crop production, especially in areas with insufficient rainfall.
Fertilization: Applying fertilizers to supplement soil nutrients essential for plant growth, improving yield and quality.
SHADING: In crop production cultural practices, shading typically involves protecting plants from excessive sunlight or heat. This can be achieved using shade structures, like shade cloth or temporary covers, to reduce the intensity of sunlight reaching the crops. Shading is often employed during hot periods to prevent sunburn, reduce water loss through evaporation, and create a more favorable environment for certain plants, especially those that thrive in partial shade or cooler conditions.
- Act of erecting cover above seedlings.
- Protect seedlings from harsh external environmental conditions e.g. sun and rain drops.
- Reduces evapo-transpiration
- Materials used for shading include palm fronds, tall grasses, tarpaulins, etc.
- Shades are progressively removed until they are finally dispensed with.
SUPPLYING/FILLING-IN
- The replacement of seed that fails to germinate or seedlings that dies.
- It is carried out to maintain desire plant population.
- Usually done by transplanting new seedlings or planting new seed in the site for the underinated seed.
- It is usually manually done
- Done within 2 weeks of first planting to obtain uniformity in growth.
NURSERY: Nursery in crop production refers to a facility or area where plants, especially young seedlings and saplings, are grown and nurtured before being transplanted to their final destination. Nurseries play a crucial role in the early stages of plant development, providing optimal conditions for germination and initial growth.
- Nursery can be practiced in polyports, seed boxes and bed, etc.
- Nursery site should have a good top soil with good drainage.
- Seed which are smaller and delicate or plant which are delicate while young requires pre-planting site known as nurseries
- Is meant to have seedlings to become adjusted to the harsh environment.
- Seeds are mostly broadcast or drilled and lightly covered with soil.
- All seed boxes, beds, drills must be properly labeled.
- Nursery are usually shaded.
- Usually enclose or fenced.
- Weeding, pest and disease control and application of fertilizer are usually practice in the nursery.
- Watering is done with fine rose watering can.
SEED RATE: Seed rate refers to the quantity of seed required to plant one hectare of land. Quantity of seeds use usually depends on spacing or planting population desired. (E.g. The seed rate of maize is 25 to 30 kg/ hectare).
THINNING: In crop production cultural practices, Thinning is the removal of weak plants from a stand, to give rise to one or two vigorous crop plants. It is usually done by hands and practiced when the crop plants are very young.
WEEDING: In crop production cultural Practices, this is known as the remover of unwanted plants which grow among cultivated crops. Weeding is done regularly on farmlands in order to prevent competition with crops for space, sunlight, nutrient, soil moisture, soil oxygen, etc. weeding can be done usually by hoeing ,cutlassing or chemically with use of specific herbicides or mechanically with machine.
MULCHING: In crop production, mulching is the covering of hips or ridges with dry leaves to reduce soil temperature, conserve soil moisture and prevent rottening of some crop plants, e.g. yam setts.
Read Also More details on – mulching, types and advantages of mulching in agriculture
SPACING: When it comes to crop production, spacing in refers to the distance within and between crop plants in a farmland. This ensures greater yield of crops and prevent over crowding and easy ventilation within and between rows of crop plants. For example, the spacing for maize could be 90 cm x 30 cm at one seed per hole or 75 cm x 25 cm at two seeds per hole.
STAKING: Staking in Crop production is the act of providing stakes or certain plants or wood to enable the crop plant stand erect and prevent lodging. Stems are tied or trained to the stakes. Staking allows for good fruiting and keep fruit from disease attack arising from contact with soil. Staking is usually done before flowering. Example of crop plants that require staking are tomato and yam.
PRUNING: In crop production, Pruning is the removal of lower branches of crops plant using sharp cutlass. Pruning and encourages better canopy formation, more light penetration and improved air movement. Examples of crops that usually require pruning are cocoa, oil palm, rubber, orange, mango, etc.
Adopting sustainable and environmentally friendly cultural practices is crucial for long-term agricultural viability.
Revision Questions
- What is transplanting in crop production?
- Outline five cultural practices in crop production.
- Briefly describe the nursery practices of crop production.