Soil Types and Crop Cultivation Quiz
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What is a primary reason micropropagation is favored for certain crops?

  • It is less expensive than traditional methods.
  • It produces plants with more uniform genetics.
  • It is effective for plants that are difficult to propagate from seeds or cuttings. (correct)
  • It requires less sterile conditions compared to other techniques.
  • Which soil type is characterized by its coarse texture and rapid water drainage?

  • Sandy soil (correct)
  • Clay soil
  • Loamy soil
  • Silty soil
  • Which soil type retains moisture and nutrients well but is prone to poor drainage and stickiness when wet?

  • Sandy soil
  • Loamy soil
  • Silty soil (correct)
  • Clay soil
  • What is a key disadvantage of clay soil for plant growth?

    <p>It compacts easily, hindering root development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these crops is MOST commonly direct-seeded?

    <p>Carrots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines loamy soil?

    <p>A soil with a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay, and rich in organic matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Transplanting seedlings is commonly practiced for which of these crops?

    <p>Tomatoes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary function of growing media?

    <p>To provide structure and support for plant growth, and facilitate root development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    For early spring or fall harvests, which crop is best suited for direct seeding?

    <p>Spinach</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which soil type is best suited for crops that require a steady water supply and are rich in nutrients?

    <p>Silty soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common characteristic shared by both silty and clay soils?

    <p>They both tend to retain water, which can lead to waterlogging.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a farmer wants to avoid root disturbance during sowing, which crop would they MOST likely choose to transplant instead of direct seeding?

    <p>Cucumber</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which crop is shown to be established using both direct seeding and transplanting methods?

    <p>Lettuce</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an area with limited rainfall, which agricultural practice is essential?

    <p>Irrigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common benefit of transplanting seedlings?

    <p>Transplanting ensures proper spacing in the field</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following crops is MOST LIKELY to require a nursery for initial growth?

    <p>Broccoli</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of perlite that makes it suitable for use in growing media?

    <p>Lightweight and improves aeration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary benefit of using vermiculite in potting mixes?

    <p>It improves both moisture retention and aeration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these growing media is considered the most traditional and natural?

    <p>Soil</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary use of coco coir as a growing medium?

    <p>To improve aeration and water retention.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which growing medium is best known for being the nutrient-rich excrement of earthworms?

    <p>Worm Castings</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of sand when it is used as a growing medium?

    <p>To improve drainage in the soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following might be used primarily as a soil amendment to improve aeration and drainage within garden beds?

    <p>Rice Hulls</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sawdust, in its role as a growing medium is primarily used for what purpose?

    <p>To act as a mulch and soil amendment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary objective of biological control in managing insect populations?

    <p>Artificially manipulating natural biological phenomena to reduce destructive insect populations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method does NOT fall under the umbrella of biological control?

    <p>Applying manufactured pesticides</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do legislative measures play in pest management?

    <p>Regulating the use of pesticides and establishing residue tolerances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are chemical controls for insects typically classified, according to the content?

    <p>By their chemical composition or mode of action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most accurate definition of a 'plant disease' according to the content?

    <p>Any unnatural or abnormal development in a plant caused by a pathogen or environmental factor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'blight' refer to as a plant disease symptom?

    <p>A sudden discoloration and death of tissues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which symptom is characterized by a continuous seepage from wounds?

    <p>Bleeding</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the 'introduction' aspect of biological control?

    <p>Releasing natural predators or parasites into the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one method of controlling rodents mentioned?

    <p>Snap trapping</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following control measures is part of the Principle of Exclusion?

    <p>Removal of diseased plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What practice can help reduce the food source for rodents?

    <p>Reducing unharvested grains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following methods is NOT a physical means of disease control?

    <p>Use of systemic insecticides</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the steps involved in mechanical means of rodent control?

    <p>Cutting down weeds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of environmental manipulation for rodent control?

    <p>Reducing dense piles of farm waste</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of control measure involves the removal of entire plants?

    <p>Pathogen removal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a method mentioned for controlling rodents?

    <p>Compulsory planting regulations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When using the Soil Speed Detector, what should be done after the readings on the screen stabilize?

    <p>The value shown on the screen should be checked and recorded.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of turning the switch on the 4 in 1 Soil Meter to the right?

    <p>To test the pH level of the soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many soil components are typically tested using the Soil Speed Detector?

    <p>4</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of performing multiple tests at different areas of the plot when using the Soil Speed Detector?

    <p>To obtain a more accurate representation of the soil's composition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done with the 4 in 1 soil meter after inserting the prong into the soil?

    <p>Wait for several seconds and then check the reading on the screen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences the required level of soil components for plant growth?

    <p>The size of the planting area.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done before inserting the prongs of the Soil Speed Detector into the soil?

    <p>Ensure the device is turned on and the prongs are clean.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main advantage of using the 4 in 1 soil meter over the soil speed detector?

    <p>The 4 in 1 soil meter is more versatile.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Agricultural Crop Production NC II

    • This course covers the production of agricultural crops.
    • It includes nursery operations, planting systems, crop care, harvesting, and postharvest operations.

    COC 1: Perform Nursery Operations

    • This competency covers the tasks involved in establishing a nursery for growing plants.
    • This includes activities such as preparing the land, selecting planting materials, and maintaining the nursery environment.

    Support Nursery Works

    • This section details crucial tasks for nursery success.
    • Tools and equipment are essential for successful crop production.

    Use Farm Tools and Equipment

    • Farm tools, implements, and equipment are critical for agricultural crop production.
    • Understanding their operation and proper use is essential as it will significantly improve the crop production.
    • Knowledge of tools, implements and equipment is needed to be able to do crop production successfully.

    Common Farm Hand Tools

    • Hand tools are typically light and often used in farming without the need of machines or animals.
    • They are used for small but important jobs:
      • Fertilizer application
      • Manure application

    Farm Hand Tools: Spade

    • A digging tool primarily used in agriculture.
    • It has a blade that is typically narrower and less curved than a shovel, and a long handle.

    Farm Hand Tools: Hoe

    • A long-handled gardening tool usually used to weed, dig, and break up soil.
    • A hoe is used to till, break, and or dig up plants.

    Farm Hand Tools: Spading Fork

    • A tool with a handle and multiple sturdy tines.
    • It is used for loosening, lifting, and turning over soil for gardening and farming purposes.

    Farm Hand Tools: Pick Mattock

    • A versatile tool used in digging and chopping, similar to a pickaxe.
    • A pick mattock comprises a long handle, a stout head, that combines an axe blade and an adze (cutter mattock).

    Farm Hand Tools: Trowel

    • A small hand tool.
    • It is useful for digging, applying, smoothing, and moving viscous or particulate materials in the garden.

    Farm Hand Tools: Light Hoe

    • Used for soil loosening and leveling and digging out furrows for planting.

    Farm Hand Tools: Hand Cultivator

    • Used for cultivating garden plots by loosening the soil and removing weeds around the plants.

    Farm Hand Tools: Water Pails

    • Used for hauling water, manure, and fertilizers on the farm.

    Farm Hand Tools: Hand Fork

    • Used for inter-row cultivation.

    Farm Hand Tools: Sprinklers

    • Used for watering seedlings and young plants.

    Farm Hand Tools: Wheelbarrow

    • A small hand-propelled vehicle.
    • Often uses one wheel and is pushed or guided by a person.
    • Also sometimes has a sail to push it for ancient wheel barrow.

    Farm Hand Tools: Bolo

    • A tool used for cutting grass and branches.

    Farm Hand Tools: Scissors

    • Hand-operated shearing tools with a pair of pivoted metal blades whose sharp edges slide when the handles are closed.

    Farm Hand Tools: Pruning Shear

    • Another type of scissors.
    • Useful for pruning hard branches of trees and shrubs (up to 2cm thick).

    Farm Hand Tools: Pole Cutter

    • Pruning tool with cutting parts on a rod or pole (6-12 feet long).

    Farm Hand Tools: Budding Knife

    • A small knife.
    • Also contains a spatula at its other end for use in budding.

    Farm Hand Tools: Grafting Knife

    • A knife used for grafting.
    • It should have a blade and handle length of approximately 3 and 4 inches, respectively.

    Farm Machinery

    • Farm machinery involves mechanical devices used in agriculture for making tasks more efficient, less labor-intensive.
    • Land preparation, planting, harvesting, and post-harvest processing are important.
    • A highly skilled operator is needed to use this equipment.

    Farm Machinery: Hand Tractor

    • The most useful and convenient farm equipment..
    • Used for pulling plows and harrows for preparing wide-area land.
    • Used to transport other materials from the house (usually the home) to the farm.

    Farm Machinery: Four-Wheel Tractor

    • Used in pulling a plow, disc harrow, and rotavator to prepare a wider area of land.
    • Also used in transporting bulk materials, equipment, and farm inputs.
    • Helpful during harvest and post-harvest activities

    Farm Machinery: Water Pump

    • Essential for drawing irrigation water from deep wells, rivers, and lakes.
    • Vital in areas with scarce water for crops, especially rice crops which need more water (e.g. 2nd rice planting).

    Farm Machinery: Combine Harvester

    • Combines harvesting and threshing.
    • Transports collected grains/seeds to the nearest road.

    Good Working Equipment + Able and Aware Operator = Safe

    • A reminder of the importance of operator preparedness and equipment safety.

    Farm Implements

    • These are accessories mounted or pulled by either animals or machineries, commonly a tractor.
    • Usually used in preparing land.

    Farm Implements: Plows

    • Made of either a combination of metal and wood, or purely metal.
    • Used for tilling large areas, making furrows and creating inter-row cultivation.
    • Used for areas with shallow depths.

    Farm Implements: Harrow

    • Used for either animal or machine (tractor) operation.
    • Used on native wooden harrows that are connected to a metal tooth when operated by carabao (animal).
    • Also found in disc harrows that are metal, and are operated by a tractor. Useful for tilling and pulverizing soil.

    Farm Implements: Rotavator

    • A tractor-mounted implement for tilling and pulverizing soil.

    Factors to Consider in Selecing a Nursery Shed

    • Accessibility: Easy access for transporting materials and plants.
    • Water availability: Proximity to a reliable water source.
    • Sunlight: Adequate sunlight, preferably with partial shade for seedlings.
    • Protection: Away from harsh elements like strong winds, floods, or pests.
    • Space: Sufficient area for operations and future expansion.

    Techniques for Breaking Seed Dormancy: Scarification

    • Removing or weakening the seed coat to encourage sprouting.

    Techniques for Breaking Seed Dormancy: Stratification

    • Exposing seeds to moist and cold conditions to promote germination.

    Plant Propagation Techniques

    • The process of creating new plants from different sources.
    • Included are seeds, cuttings, and other plant parts.
    • Propagated techniques can be either sexual or asexual.

    Plant Propagation Techniques: Sexual Reproduction

    • Involves the fusion of male and female gametes (sex cells) to form seeds.
    • The offspring are genetically different from the parent plant.
    • The steps include pollination, fertilization, seed formation, and seed germination.

    Plant Propagation Techniques: Asexual Reproduction

    • Plant parts like cuttings or layers are used to create new plants.
    • The offspring are clones of the parent plant.

    Good Quality Seeds

    • The foundation of successful farming and crucial for high agricultural productivity.
    • Several characteristics are important:
    • High germination rate
    • Seed purity
    • Free from diseases, pests & injurious organisms
    • Good physical quality
    • Proper moisture content
    • Freshness and viability

    Good Quality Seedlings

    • Essential for successful agriculture and horticulture.
    • They greatly influence seedling health, productivity, and resilience of mature plants.
    • Several features:
    • Healthy root system
    • Well-developed, firm stem
    • Healthy leaves
    • Uniform size and growth
    • Disease-free
    • No physical damage
    • Proper hardening and pre-transplanting care

    Importance of Germination Test

    • Determines the percentage of seeds that will sprout ensuring efficient planting.
    • Helps farmers estimate the seed requirements and planting density.
    • Ensures quality control and better yields.

    Planting Materials

    • Various items used to establish crops and plants.
    • Can range from seeds, seedlings, cuttings to bulbs, corms, and grafts to be chosen depending on the plant, desired propagation method (sexual or asexual), and growing conditions.

    Different Planting Materials: Seeds

    • Reproductive units of plants.
    • Grow into a new plant when planted in appropriate conditions.
    • Useful in growing crops like corn, rice, vegetables, and fruits.

    Different Planting Materials: Seedlings

    • Young plants already germinated.
    • Developed enough to be transplanted to a field.
    • Useful in crops that require nurturing before planting such as tomatoes, peppers and some tree crops.

    Different Planting Materials: Cuttings

    • A portion of a plant (stem, leaf or root).
    • Used to propagate trees, shrubs and other ornamental plants (e.g. roses, grapes and cassava).

    Different Planting Materials: Bulbs

    • Underground storage organs.
    • Consists of a short stem surrounded by fleshy leaves that store nutrients.
    • Used in ornamental flowers such as tulips, lilies and onions.

    Different Planting Materials: Corms

    • Thickened, fleshy underground stems.
    • Used to store nutrients for the plant.
    • Such as taro, gladiolus and crocus.

    Different Planting Materials: Tubers

    • Swollen underground stems or roots.
    • Store food for the plant.
    • Used in crops like potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams.

    Different Planting Materials: Grafts and Budwood

    • Involves joining two plant parts (rootstock and scion) to grow as a single plant.
    • Budwood is a part of a plant with a bud that can be grafted to another plant.
    • Used in fruit trees (e.g., citrus, mango, and apple) production.

    Different Planting Materials: Layering

    • A method of asexual propagation.
    • The stem or branch is bent and buried in the soil, forming roots while still attached to the parent plant.
    • Used in plants like raspberries, blackberries, and certain ornamental shrubs.

    Different Planting Materials: Micropropagation (Tissue Culture)

    • Method of planting propagation.
    • Involves growing plant cells or tissues in a sterile, nutrient-rich medium to create new plants.
    • Used for high-value crops (e.g., bananas, pineapples) that do not propagate well from seeds or cuttings.

    Types of Soil

    • Sandy soil: Coarse texture, with large particles that quickly drain, low water retention, and lacks nutrients.
    • Silty soil: Smoother texture, finer than sandy soil, better water and nutrient retention but prone to erosion when wet.
    • Clay soil: Fine texture, with small particles that compact easily, has good water retention but poor drainage.
    • Loamy soil: Balanced mix of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter. Provides good drainage, retains moisture and nutrients, rich in organic matter for healthy plant growth.

    Growing Media

    • Materials used to support plant growth.
    • Provide necessary environment for root development, nutrient absorption, and water retention..
    • Used in different cultivation: traditional soil-based agriculture, hydroponics, and container gardening.
    • Choice depends on various factors like plant type, cultivation method and available resources

    Soil, Compost, and Carbonized Rice Hull

    • Garden soil (topsoil): Provides structure and nutrients.
    • Compost: Adds organic matter, improves fertility, and contains organic matter.
    • Carbonized rice hull: Improves drainage and aeration.

    Characteristics of a Good Growing Medium

    • Good drainage, prevent waterlogging and root rot
    • Nutrient rich, provide essential nutrients for good plant growth
    • Good water holding capacity, balance water retention and drainage
    • Nutrient retaining ability, ability of the medium to hold and release nutrients for the plants need
    • pH level suitable for the nutrients to be easily absorbed by the plants
    • Sterility a sign of free from pathogens, diseases and weeds
    • Texture and structure, should be loose and crumbly for easy root penetration
    • Low salinity, prevent build up of harmful salts

    Manual Tools and Equipment for Land Preparation

    • Spade: Digging, turning, mixing
    • Hoe: Breaking clumps, digging, removing weeds
    • Rake: Leveling soil, removing debris, spreading materials (e.g. compost)
    • Shovel: Moving soil, sand or organic matter
    • Pickaxe: Breaking hard or compacted soil and rocks
    • Hand Fork: Loosening soil in small areas, and uprooting weeds
    • Mattock: digging and chopping through roots and hard soil
    • Wheelbarrow: Transporters of soil, compost or materials across the field.
    • Garden line and Stakes: For marking planting rows or beds.
    • Land Leveler: Used for manually leveling the field surface.

    COC 2: Plant Crops

    • This competency involves selecting the best crops, managing planting systems, and meeting crop requirements.
    • It's linked with proper planting and sowing techniques.

    Planting Systems

    • Square system
    • Rectangular system
    • Triangular system
    • Hexagonal system
    • Quincunx system
    • Contour system
    • Broadcasting

    Activities in Land Preparation

    • Clearing: Removing weeds, stumps, debris
    • Plowing: Breaking and turning over the soil
    • Harrowing: Leveling soil and breaking clods
    • Field layout: Marking planting rows/beds
    • Raising beds: Creating raised beds
    • Sterilization: Soil sterilization with extreme temperature
    • Leveling: Final soil leveling

    Benefits of Preparing the Field Before Planting

    • Improves soil structure: Leads to better root penetration and aeration which promotes healthy plant growth
    • Weed control: Removes existing weeds, preventing future growth and reducing competition for resources
    • Better water retention: Loosening improves water absorption and retention
    • Enhanced nutrient availability: Even distribution of fertilizers and organic matter, ensuring easy access
    • Prevention of soil erosion: Proper soil preparation helps stabilize the soil
    • Improves seed germination: Optimal environment for seed germination and uniform seed-to-soil contact
    • Better pest and disease management: Eliminating crop residues, tilling, and pesticide application can reduce pests and diseases
    • Easier Planting: A well-prepared field makes planting easier and saves time
    • Enhanced root growth: Loosening and aeration allows better root growth to improve plant stability

    Two Forms of Tillage Operations

    • Primary tillage: Involves initial breaking and turning of the soil (like plowing)
    • Secondary tillage: Refining the soil (like harrowing and leveling)

    Applying Basal Fertilizer

    • Provides essential nutrients at planting (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) to encourage early root and shoot development.
    • Enhances root establishment improving nutrient and water absorption
    • Reduce nutrient deficiency,
    • Ensures uniform nutrient distribution, putting nutrients near seeds or seedlings to make them readily available.

    Materials Needed in Field Lay-Out

    • Measuring tape: Marking accurate distances.
    • Rope or string: Forming straight rows for planting lines.
    • Wooden stakes: Marking boundaries and planting points

    Crops That Are Direct Seeded

    • Corn (maize): Planted directly in the soil after soil preparation
    • Rice: Typically direct-seeded in flooded fields or paddies
    • Beans: Planted directly into well-prepared soil for a strong plant such as Mung Beans, Kidney Beans, and Soybeans
    • Peas: Planted directly in the soil for optimal germination
    • Sunflower: Planted for oil or ornamentals
    • Carrots: Seeded directly into well-drained, loose soil.
    • Radishes: Direct seeding for fast-growing root crops
    • Lettuce: Can be direct-seeded for some varieties
    • Spinach: Direct-seeded for early spring or fall
    • Cucumber: Direct seeding is done in well-prepared soils for early varieties.
    • Squash: Direct seeded for summer and winter varieties
    • Pumpkin: Direct-seeded after the last frost in the spring
    • Melons: Planted directly into the soil, good for warm weather such as Watermelon and Cantaloupe

    Crops That Are Transplanted

    • Rice (Manual): A dominant way in the Philippines for rice planting
    • Tomato
    • Pepper: Started in nurseries then transplanted once seedlings are strong enough
    • Cabbage: Grown in a nursery bed then transplanted

    COC 3: Care and Maintain Crops

    • This section covers the tasks involved in maintaining crops throughout their growth cycle, including handling pest and disease issues.
    • It focuses on ensuring quality, healthy growth, and maximum yield.

    Irrigation

    • Essential for supplying water to crops, especially in areas with insufficient rainfall, so crops have sufficient water supply.
    • Different methods are used to meet the needs of the crops.

    Irrigation Methods: Sprinkler Irrigation

    • Mimics natural rainfall
    • Suitable for various terrains.
    • Uniform water distribution
    • Affected by wind, potential water loss from evaporation.

    Irrigation Methods: Drip Irrigation

    • Directly delivers water to the plant roots.
    • Minimizes water waste, efficient method
    • Reduces evaporation and runoff
    • Suitable for water-scarce areas & high-value crops
    • High setup cost but offers long-term savings

    Irrigation Methods: Manual Irrigation

    • Watering cans, buckets or hoses to apply water to plants.
    • Labor-intensive but suitable for small-scale gardening and targeted watering.
    • May not be practical for large-scale agricultural operations

    Irrigation Methods: Surface Irrigation

    • Distributing water over the soil surface through gravity flow
    • Traditional methods: furrow, basin, and border irrigation
    • Simple and cost-effective
    • Potential water loss from evaporation and runoff.

    Irrigation Methods: Subsurface Irrigation

    • Supplies water to crops through underground pipes or drip lines.
    • Hydrates the root zone, minimizes evaporation and surface runoff
    • Enhances water, use efficiency
    • Requires precise installation and maintenance to prevent clogging.

    Fertilizer Application

    • Crucial for supplying essential nutrients to plants, promoting healthy growth, and achieving maximum yield.
    • Different methods suited for specific crops, soil types, and environmental conditions.

    Fertilizer Application Methods: Broadcasting

    • Uniformly spreading fertilizers over the entire soil surface
    • Suitable for crops with dense stands and for the application of large doses of insoluble phosphatic fertilizers (e.g. rock phosphate).
    • Can be done at sowing (basal application) or during the growing season (top dressing)

    Fertilizer Application Methods: Banding

    • Applying fertilizer in bands near the seed or plant roots either below, beside, or above the seed
    • Ensures nutrients are readily available to the growing root system.
    • Effectively enhances nutrient uptake, especially for phosphorus fertilizers

    Fertilizer Application Methods: Side-Dressing

    • Applying fertilizer in bands beside crop rows during the growing season.
    • Provides nutrients directly to the crop when the nutrient demand is highest.
    • Useful for crops with high nutrient requirements at specific growth stages.

    Fertilizer Application Methods: Foliar Feeding

    • Applying liquid fertilizers directly to the leaves for micronutrient supplementation or corrections of nutrient deficiencies.
    • Provides a quick boost of nutrients but not a substitute for soil-applied fertilizers.

    Fertilizer Application Methods: Fertigation

    • Applying fertilizers through irrigation systems
    • Allows for precise nutrient delivery directly to the root zone.
    • Efficient and reduces nutrient losses.
    • Ideal for high-value crops.

    Fertilizer Application Methods: Basal Application

    • Incorporating fertilizers into the soil before or during planting
    • Ensures the availability to plants since the fertilization can be done immediately
    • Particularly effective to nutrients that are less mobile in the soil such as phosphorus and potassium.

    Fertilizer Application Methods: Top-Dressing

    • Applying fertilizer to the soil surface after the crop has been established.
    • Commonly used for supplying more mobile nutrients in the soil such as nitrogen during the growing season.
    • Can be broadcasted over the soil surface or applied in bands near the plant roots.

    Fertilizer Classification: Inorganic (Chemical) Fertilizers

    • Synthesized through chemical processes.
    • Provide readily available nutrients.
    • Include types such as: nitrogen fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium sulfate); phosphorus fertilizers (single superphosphate, triple superphosphate); and potassium fertilizers (potassium chloride, potassium sulfate).

    Fertilizer Classification: Organic Fertilizers

    • Derived from natural sources such as animal manure, or compost.
    • Improve soil structure over time, provide nutrients in a release manner gradually over time.
    • Includes animal manure (cow, chicken or horses) compost (plant residues, food scraps) and green manure (crops like clover or alfalfa).

    Fertilizer Classification: Single Fertilizers

    • These fertilizers contain only one primary nutrient.
    • Examples include nitrogen fertilizers (e.g., urea, ammonium sulfate), phosphorus fertilizers (e.g., single superphosphate, triple superphosphate), and potassium fertilizers (e.g., potassium chloride, potassium sulfate).

    Fertilizer Classification: Incomplete Fertilizers

    • Contain two primary nutrients out of the three major fertilizer nutrients.
    • Examples include: diammonium phosphate(DAP), monoammonium phosphate(MAP), and ammonium polyphosphate.

    Fertilizer Classification: Complete Fertilizers

    • These fertilizers contain all three primary nutrients (N, P, K) in varying proportions.
    • Used when soil tests indicate deficiencies in multiple nutrients
    • 10-10-10 fertilizer (10% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), 16-4-8 fertilizer (16% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus, and 8% potassium)

    Fertilizer Classification: Mixed Fertilizers

    • Contain two or more of the major fertilizer elements.
    • Supplied by two or more fertilizer materials,
    • Examples include: A blend of ammonium nitrate (N) and superphosphate (P), and a mixture of potassium chloride (K) and ammonium sulfate (N).

    Fertilizer Grades

    • Specific numerical representation of nutrient content (N-P-K) in a fertilizer such as Urea(46-0-0), Ammonium sulfate(21-0-0), Muriate of potash(0-0-60), Calcium nitrate(16-0-0) and Complete(14-14-14)

    Pests

    • Organisms that harm human health, agriculture, or the environment.
    • Broadly categorized based on the damage or concerns they cause like:
    • Insect pests : Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, grasshoppers, cutworms
    • Rodents: Rats, mice.
    • Mollusks: Snails, slugs
    • Nematodes: Root-knot nematodes
    • Weeds : Grasses, sedges, broadleaf.
    • Pathogens: Fungi (e.g. powdery mildew), bacteria (e.g. bacterial blight), viruses (e.g. tobacco mosaic virus).

    Methods in Controlling Pests

    • Cultural control: Modification of farm practices to reduce pest establishment, reproduction, and survival through crop rotation, sanitation, and adjusting planting times.
    • Biological control: Utilizing natural predators, parasites, or pathogens that control pest populations through introducing natural enemies (e.g. ladybugs), releasing organisms that lay eggs on pests, or using beneficial microbes.
    • Mechanical control: Direct human intervention to remove or kill pests though traps, barriers, or hand-picking.
    • Physical control: Altering environmental conditions to make them unfavorable for pests through manipulating temperature, humidity, or using light traps.
    • Chemical control: Applying chemical substances to kill or repel pests using insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
    • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Combines cultural, biological, physical, and chemical methods to manage pests sustainably, including monitoring populations and determining acceptable levels.

    Common Indices of Crop Maturity

    • Physical changes: Changes in color, size, shape of fruits, seeds or leaves
    • Moisture content: Grains or seeds usually achieve a specific moisture level.
    • Time to maturity: Number of days/time from planting to maturity.
    • Aroma/smell: Ripened fruits may have distinctive smells (e.g. mango)
    • Textural changes: Crops like softened fruits such as avocado

    Postharvest Practices in Crop Production

    • Cleaning: Removing dirt, debris, and unwanted materials
    • Sorting and grading: Classifying produce based on size, quality, and color
    • Packaging: Placing the harvested produce in protective containers for transport and protection.
    • Drying: Reducing moisture content to prevent spoilage (crucial for grains)
    • Storage: Proper storage at appropriate facilities
    • Transporting: Proper handling during transport and delivery
    • Applying additional treatments like fumigation, cold storage or treatments to specific crops

    COC 4: Carry-Out Harvest and Postharvest Operations

    • Harvesting crops appropriate to the desired stage of maturity.
    • Postharvest handling that ensures maintaining crops quality and extending shelf life to deliver safely to market.
    • Handling different crops may have differences in techniques/methods.

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Appearance

    • Color: Maturity of crops should be the right color for its variety. (e.g. Tomatoes bright red, peppers fully colored red, yellow or orange)
    • Size/Shape: Crops should have the expected size and shape for its variety. (e.g. Too small or misshapen maybe a sign of growing problem).
    • Uniformity: Uniform size, shape, and color.
    • Surface Condition: Crops surface should be free from blemishes, cuts or bruises

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Texture

    • Firmness: Texture should be firm but not too hard.
    • Smoothness: Smooth, unwrinkled skin

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Freshness

    • Turgidity: Crisps and plump appearance especially on leafy vegetables
    • Leaf and Stem Health: Leaves should be green and vibrant. If they are wilted or shriveled and stems are damaged, it maybe sign of disease issue or rot.

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Taste and Flavor

    • Flavor: Should taste like its intended.
    • Good flavor depend on the fruits' balance of sweetness, acidity or bitterness.
    • Aroma: A strong aroma is sign of quality on flowers, fruits, and vegetables such as tomatoes, melons/fruits

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Absence of Disease or Pest Damage

    • Pests: Free from pests like insect holes, bites
    • Disease: Free from mold, mildew, and discoloration.

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Harvest Timing

    • Maturity: Crops are harvested at the right maturity stage and not overripen or underripen.
    • Ripeness: Fruits like bananas and avocados should be properly matured for it have good quality

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Cleanliness

    • Free from: dirt, chemicals, foreign matter
    • Washing and handling can improve the overall quality of harvested crops

    Harvesting Materials, Tools, and Equipment

    • Hand tools: Sickles, pruning shears, knives for manual cutting, harvesting baskets to collect/transport harvested crops, threshing machines for separating grains from stalks, picking poles to harvest fruits from tall trees, tarp for drying and collecting harvested crops.

    How to Differentiate and Segregate Farm Waste

    • Biodegradable waste: Crop residues, leaves and animal manure can be composted.
    • Non-biodegradable waste : Plastic containers, packaging materials, and metal tools; should be recycled
    • Hazardous waste: Pesticide containers and expired chemicals, should be disposed of following environmental regulations.
    • Recyclable waste: Plastic mulch, containers, seedling bags, green house cover, pipes, etc.

    3 R's

    • Reduce: Minimizing waste by using fewer resources and reducing consumption.
    • Reuse: Finding ways to use products or materials again, instead of throwing them away extending their use.
    • Recycle: Collect and turn materials into new products conserving raw materials and reducing energy consumed.

    5S System

    • Sort (Seiri): Eliminate unnecessary items from the workspace to keep only what is essential.
    • Set in Order (Seiton): Arrange tools, materials, and equipment logically for efficiency ensuring that everything has a designated place.
    • Shine (Seiso): Keep the workplace clean and tidy, regularly clean and maintain surroundings to avoid damage and accidents.
    • Standardize (Seiketsu): Establish standard practices and routines to maintain organization and cleanliness.
    • Sustain (Shitsuke): Develop habits to sustain the 5S principles over time to improve for continuous improvement and discipline.

    How to Record Observations

    • Use standard templates such as crop health or pest monitoring forms.
    • Date and time stamping to ensure accurate and time-specific records.
    • Photographic evidence for clear pictures of crop conditions and problems.
    • Detailed descriptions with relevant information like sizes, colors and observed symptoms.
    • Regular updates to keep records after every assessment or observation.

    Harvesting and Post Harvest Handling

    • The process of detaching plants matured is called harvesting and they can be either manually or mechanically
    • Proper handling maintains quality or extends shelf life to avoid spoilage ensuring fit crops in market.
    • Activities include: Maturity, storage, picking or clipping, tools, and baskets

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Appearance

    • Color: The produce should have the appropriate color for its variety.
    • Size/Shape: The appropriate size and shape for its variety.
    • Uniformity: Consistency in size, shape, and color, especially for market-ready produce.
    • Surface Condition: The outer surface should be free from blemishes, cuts, or bruises

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Texture

    • Firmness: The physical firmness of the produce.
    • Smoothness: Smoothness of the produce's skin

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Freshness

    • Turgidity: Crisp and plump appearance, especially in leafy vegetables.
    • Leaf and Stem Health: Green, vibrant leaves and intact stems free from disease or rot.

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Taste and Flavor (Objective Quality Standards)

    • Flavor or Taste: The produce should have the anticipated flavor, and a balance of sweetness, acidity or bitterness.
    • Aroma: A strong aroma is a quality indicator.

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Absence of Disease or Pest Damage

    • Pest damage: Free from pests
    • Disease: Free from mold, mildew, and discoloration which will greatly affect the harvest quality.

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Harvest Timing

    • Maturity: Harvested at the right time, avoiding underripe or overripe produce
    • Ripeness: Right balance of ripeness. For example, fruits like bananas or avocados should be harvested when mature for post-harvest ripening.

    Determining Quality of Harvest: Cleanliness

    • Free from dirt, chemicals, and foreign matter on the surface.
    • Washing and proper handling improves the produce's quality

    Materials, Tools and Equipment Used in Harvesting

    • Hand tools (sickles, pruning shears, knives, harvesting baskets).
    • Harvesting tools (Threshing machines, picking poles, tarp).

    How to Differentiate and Segregate Farm Waste

    • Biodegradable: Organic wastes able to be composted (crop residues, leaves, and animal manure)
    • Non-biodegradable: Plastic containers, packaging materials and metal tools; should be recycled or properly disposed of.
    • Hazardous waste: Pesticide containers, expired chemicals, should be properly disposed according to environmental regulations.
    • Recyclable waste: Plastic mulch, containers, seedling bags, green house cover, pipes etc.

    UNIT 1: Preparing the Land for Planting

    • The process of getting land ready to plant crops by removing bushes, plants, stones, trash.
    • Land preparation steps include clearing, soil sampling, proper field lay-out, and fertilizer application

    UNIT 1: Conducting Soil Testing

    • The next step of clearing is doing soil testing to determine if the soil is enough in nutrients needed for growing plants.
    • Steps can include selecting locations, collecting samples, performing laboratory tests, interpreting test results, and recommending fertilizer for soil management

    Different Soil Testing Kit

    • Soil Testing Kit (STK): Provides immediate results, cheaper and easier to perform. Also a rapid soil test kit(RST) is available.
    • 3-in-1 soil tester: Tests for pH, light intensity, and moisture levels

    Topic 2: Soil Amendments

    • Adding compost, minerals, sulfur, and other organic materials to soils for balanced nutrients.
    • Incorporate fertilizers to enrich the soil, ensure proper nutrients for plant development, correcting nutrient deficiencies.
    • Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium are important for supplying nutrients..

    Topic 2: Different Characteristics of Soil Ideal for Different Crops

    • Different plants need different soil conditions, with some preferring more drainage, moisture or nutrients.
    • Soil composition varying may be found across an area. Familiarity with these types of soils, and their appropriateness to specific crops is crucial for success

    Topic 2: Seeding Methods

    • Planning for how to plant crops.
    • The variety of plants and planting systems must be considered.
    • Selecting planting methods appropriate for each plant is essential

    Topic 2: Seeding Methods: Hill Method

    • Planting crops in mounded soil.
    • Method helps to warm soil, improve germination and plant growth

    Topic 2: Seeding Methods: Drill Methods

    • Planting seeds in equidistant rows in a furrow.
    • Convenient for easy fertilizer incorporation, suitable for small-seeded crops (e.g. rice, mungbean, peanuts).

    Topic 3: Orchard Planting Systems

    • Planning a layout to assure enough space for crop spacing, maintenance, and other operations
    • The arrangement of plants should be able to maximize efficiency within the area and resources for operations and maintenance.
    • Considering factors like climate, soil, varieties, growth habit, rootstocks, and pruning or watering

    Topic 3: Digging Holes

    • Digging holes according to the type of plant (i.e. seedlings or larger trees).
    • Adjusting the depth and width of holes related to plant size and growth potential,
    • Removing or loosening obstacles (debris, rocks)

    Topic 2: Digging Holes and Applying Basal Fertilizer

    • Determining if the soil has the right nutrients for the plant.
    • Applying fertilizer (both organic and inorganic) into the soil before planting.
    • Using tools for digging holes (e.g., trowel, shovel) and selecting the appropriate size of hole

    Lesson 1: Sowing Seeds

    • The process of putting seeds in the soil for planting.
    • Appropriate techniques for sowing depend on the variety, for example: Manual or mechanical; different treatment is required.

    Topic 1: Treating Seeds and Soil

    • Methods for treating seeds or soil.
    • This is to protect the seeds or plants from mold formation, harmful pests or bacteria.

    Topic 1: Seed Treatment

    • Seed scarification: Removing or weakening the seed coat to encourage sprouting.
    • Seed stratification: Exposing seeds to moist and cold conditions to promote germination and plant growth.

    Topic 1: Seed Protectant

    • Soaking seeds in chemicals that protect seeds from fungi, or insecticides, or a mixture of both.

    Topic 1 : Soil Treatment

    • Methods to treat the soil to be used for planting; like the soil in the nursery preparation of the field soil

    Topic 1: Soil Solarization

    • A method of treating soil by placing clear plastic to trap sunlight for eliminating pests.

    Topic 1: Pesticide and Insecticide Application

    • Applying chemicals (pesticides and insecticides) to kill or repel pests.
    • Use of the right quantity/amount and use of equipment or tools for applying efficiently and effectively for the safety of the crop.

    Topic 2: Procedures for Sowing

    • Mechanized Sowing: Using machinery or implement to sow seeds (e.g., 5-in-1 corn planter) which are attached in tractors.
    • Manual Sowing: Sowing seeds manually by dropping seeds into the soil and placing soil over them.

    Topic 2: Transplanting Seedlings

    • Handling seedlings from nurseries.
    • Manual- transplanting method
    • Mechanical Transplanting method

    Topic 2: Quality of Crops

    • General quality assessment for fruits and vegetables
    • Criteria: appearance, texture, flavor, nutritive value, and safety
    • Objective quality standards: Color, flesh firmness, soluble solids, and sugar/acid ratio measurement

    Topic 2: GAP in Handling Harvested Crops

    • Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for harvesting crops.
    • Basic points for safety and cleanliness- wash hands, remove manure/pests, clean/sanitize tools and equipment, and use safe water for cleaning.
    • Using proper containers to store and prepare products for transport and market to prevent contamination.

    Topic 3: Performing Post-Harvest Operations

    • Significance of postharvest operations.
    • The process of preparing crops for market through different methods/treatments and ways of maximizing quality and efficiency.
    • Includes common postharvest treatments, demonstrating postharvest operations, identifying storage pests and their remedies.

    Topic 3: Secondary Post Harvest Processes

    • Secondary operations done after primary operations that are intended for a particular product, especially rice.
    • Methods include milling, grading, and seed selection to prepare products
    • These are done when the target is not just for the raw produce but for processed produce.

    Topic 3: Monitoring Pest and Diseases in Crops

    • Identifying pest and/or disease damage
    • Recognizing causes and effects and methods to handle damages effectively
    • Abiotic factors: non-living things that cause damage (e.g. respiration, transpiration, senescence)
    • Biotic factors: living things that cause damage (e.g. insect pests, postharvest diseases).

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on different soil types, their characteristics, and their suitability for various crops. This quiz covers concepts such as micropropagation, soil moisture retention, and planting methods. Challenge yourself to identify the best practices for crop growth based on soil properties.

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