MULCHING

Mulching the the act of covering the topsoil with leafy. materials to
reduce the impact of heat, rainfall, etc on the soil. Mulching is a
very important farm practice. It should be done with dry leaves in
order to minimise the habitation of pests in such leaves.

ADVANTAGES OF MULCHING
1. It helps to conserve soil water.
2. It helps to conserve soil mineral content
3. It helps to add nutrient to the soil.
4. It can be used to protect seedlings in the nursery from adverse
weather condition.
5. It helps to conserve soil structure and texture.
6. It is used to check erosion.
7. It protects important soil living organisms from adverse conditions.







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POULTRY

Poultry can be used to refer to farm birds kept for agricultural
purposes. They include turkey, chicken, duck, guinea fowl, quial, etc.
Such birds are kept for three basic reasons:
* for meat
* for table eggs
* for young birds

There are three basic systems of keeping poultry birds, they are:
1 intensive system: this system involves keeping the birds in an
enclosed pen where their movement is restricted. This method is
capital intensive as all the food needs are to be provided. Moreover
spread of diseases can be very fast as the birds are close to each
other. However, this method is widely used in commercial animal
husbandry. In this system the birds can be protected from bad weather,
thieves, predators, etc.

2. Semi-intensive: this system involves the housing of birds in mobile
pens which have openings that can allow the birds to pick food
materials from the surrounding. This system is seldom practised. This
may be because the system is labour intensive and most of the food
requirements are to be provided.

3. Extensive system: this system involves allowing the birds to roam
freely around the environment with little or no restriction. In this
system little or no food is provided a the birds feed from their
environment. The spread of disease is not very fast as birds are
seperated fom each other. However, the birds are prone to theft,
predation, bad weather, etc.








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COWPEA

Botanical name: Vigna uniguiculata
LAND PREPARATION:
1. Land clearing
2. Stumping
3. Ploughing
4. Harrowing
5. Ridging

PESTS
1. Pod borers
2. Beans beetle
3. Leaf hoppers
CONTROL
1. Use insecticides
2. Early harvesting
3. Good store sanitation

DISEASES
1. Mosaic disease
2. Bacterial blight
3. Nematode disease
4. Damping off
CONTROL
1. Plant resistant varieties
2. Removal of infected plants
3. Soil disinfection with nematicides
4. Crop rotation

CASSAVA

Botanical name: Manihot spp
VARIETIES
Sweet cassava. M. palmata
Bitter cassava. M. Utilisima

LAND PREPARATION
1. Clearing
2. Stumping
3. Ploughing
4. Harrowing
5. Ridging

PESTS
1 Grasshopper
2 Sheep
3 Goat
4 Rodents
5 Green spidermite
6 Mealy-bug
CONTROL
1 use of traps
2 early planting
3 spray cassava cutting with Basudin 60EC

DISEASES
1. Leaf blight
2. Cassava mosaic
3. Leaf spot
CONTROL
1. Plant resistant varieties
2. Remove and destroy infected plant
3. Crop rotation
4. Farm sanitation
5. Use of healthy stem cuttings

YAM

Botanical name: Dioscorea spp.
VARIETIES
White yam. D. rotundata
Water yam. D. alata
Yellow yam. D. cayensis
Trifolia yam. D. dumentorium
Aeriel yam. D. bulbifera
Chinese yam. D. esculenta

LAND PREPARATION
1. Clear land
2. Ploughing
3. Harrowing
4. Ridging

PESTS
1. Nematodes
2. Yam tuber beetle
3. Yam shoot beetle
4. Rodents
5. Grasshopper
CONTROL
1. Apply insecticides
2. Use Aldrin dust
3. Practise crop rotation
4. Set traps
5. Use Agrocide 3 powder

DISEASES
1. Yam dry rot
2. Fungal leaf spot
3. Yam mosaic
CONTROL
1. Destroy all infected crops
2. Plant resistant varieties
3. Farm sanitation
4. Practice crop rotation

RICE

Botanical name: Oriza sativa

LAND PREPARATION:
1. Clearing of land
2. Stumping and ploughing
3. Ridging

PESTS
1. Birds
2. Rodents
3. Rice weevil
CONTROL OF PESTS
1. Setting traps
2. Fencing
3. Use of avicides and rodenticides
4. Fumigate store.

DISEASES OF RICE
1. Rice blast
2. Leaf spot
3. Leaf blight
4. Rice smut
5. Stalt rot
CONTROL OF DISEASES
1. Remove and destroy infected plants
2. Use seeds treated with fungicides
3. Plant disease-resistant varieties
4. Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilizers

MAIZE

Botanical name: Zea mays
LAND PREPARATION:
1. Clearing of land
2. Stumping (if necessary)
3. Harrowing
4. Preparation of ridges

PROPAGATION:
It is propagated sexually by seed. Can be done manually or
mechanically by the use of planter.

PESTS OF MAIZE:
1. Stem borer: it is a field pest. It's larva destroys young stems.
2. Maize weevil: it is both field and store pest. The adult and larva
destroy the grain.
3. Grasshopper: it destroys the vegetative parts of the plant.

DISEASES OF MAIZE:
1. Maize rust
2. Leaf blight
3. Maize streak
4. Maize smut
5. Leaf spot

CONTROL OF PESTS AND DISEASES
1. Plant resistant varieties
2. Early planting
3. Fumigate the store
4. Dress crops with fungicides
5. Crop rptation
6. Farm sanitation
7. Remove and destroy infected plants
8. Use insecticides to kill insect pests and vectors.




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PHYTOREMEDIATION

Phytoremediation is the process using plants to clean up pollution.
The plants used are able to eliminate pollutants from the soil, water
and air. Such plants include: alfalfa, sunflower, mustard plant,
poplar, grass, hemp, etc. Such pollutant include crude oil,
pesticides, metals, radioactive waste, some industrial waste, etc.

SOIL

Soil is the topmost part of the earth on which plant grow. Basically
there three kinds of soil. They are:
1. SANDY SOIL: This is a coarse kind of soil that is made up of rough
particle of various sizes. It is porous and has low water retention
capacity. It is usually not fertile because it has low proportion of
organic matter and soil nutrients.

2. CLAY SOIL: This kind of soil has small smooth particles. It has low
porosity and high water retention.

3. LOAMY SOIL: This kind of soil consist of sandy and loamy soil and
high proportion of humus and soil nutrients. It is the best kind of
soil for planting.

CULTURAL PRACTICES

Cultural practices involves all the activities carried out on the
farm before, during and after planting of crops. They are grouped
into: pre-planting, planting and post-planting operation.
1. PRE-PLANTING OPERATION: These are the operations done before
planting. They are:
a. Choice of site
b. Clearing of land
c. Stumping
d. Ploughing
e. Harrowing
f. Ridging

2. PLANTING OPERATION: These are activities done during planting. They are:
a. Planting
b. Transplanting
c. Nursary practices

3. POST-PLANTING OPERATION: These are the activities that are done
after planting. They are:
a. Thining
b. Supplying
c. Mulching
d. Manure or application
e. Watering
f. Weeding
g. Pest and disease control
h. Harvesting
i. Processing
j. Storage

FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SITING A FARM

The factors to be considered before siting a commercial farmland include:
1. Climatic factors: they include rainfall, temperature, relative
humidity, wind direction, etc. These factors must be favourable to the
plants and/or animals to be raised.
2. Socio-economic factors: these include the availability of labour,
social infrastructures, population of the region and nearness to
market.
3. Edaphic factors: these are soil related factors such as soil
fertility, structure, texture, consistency, porousity, etc. These
factors determines the kind of crop that will grow in the land.
Moreover, farms should not be sited in places that are prone to
flooding, erosion, and other forms of land degradation except they are
been used as control measures.
4. Government policies: some governments have various rules guiding
agricultural practices. These policies should be considered before
siting a farm.
5. Economic factors: these factors are of topmost importance if the
agricultural business will survive. A feasibility study is conducted
to make sure that there will enough returns to sustain the farm.

HORTICULTURE

Horticulture isthe branch of agriculture that deals with the
production of raw vegetables, nuts and flowers

FORESTRY

Forestry is the branch of agriculture that deals with the growing and
maintenance of forest trees and wild animals in the forest.

CROP SCIENCE

This is the branch of agriculture that deals with the study of the
methods of crop production and how to improve crop yield.

ANIMAL SCIENCE

Animal science is the branch of agriculture that studies the
production and management of farm animals: their feeding,
reproduction, health statues etc for good yield.

SOIL SCIENCE

Soil science is a branch of agriculture which deals with the study of
the soil and it's components.

BASAL FEED/ENERGY FEED

These are mostly easily digestible carbohydrates with low protein
content. They constitute 60 to 90% of practical livestock rations.
They have low fibre content thus need to be supplimented by high
protein feeds.

SUPPLIMENTS

Suppliments are feeds given to make up for any shortages in the diet
or to supply a deficient nutrients. They are usually rich in protein,
vitamins and minerals. They include: fish meal, bone meal, milk, etc.

ROPHAGES

Rouphages are feeds that are rich in plant fibre. They can be prepared
in the following ways:
a. Hays: these are sun-dried forage packed and kept for feeding animals.
b. Silage: these are forage crops cut fresh, compressed in a pit and
allowed to ferment.
c. Straw: this consist of dried plant materials as maintenance ration
during periods of food scarcity.
d. Forage: this refers to grasses and legumes used for feeding farm animals.
e. Fodder: these are crops grown specially to feed farm animals,
example: corn, groundnut, legumes, grasses, etc.

SUCCULENT

Succulents are feeds that are easily digestible by farm animals. They
consist of vegetables, roots and tubers, forage, silage and cane
molasses.

CONCENTRATES

Concentrates are feed mixtures providing all primary dietary needs of
protein, carbohydrates, fats and oil, and some minerals.
Concentrates in feed industry refers to as artificial feed mixtures
such as groundnut cake (G. N. C. ) and other feeds such as cotton seed
meal, palm kernel meal/cake etc.

ANIMAL NUTRITION

Animal nutrition is the act and science of feeding animals. Feed
elements are called nutrients. Feed given to animals is generally
known as livestock feed.

CLASSIFICATION OF FEED
Animal feeds are classified into:
1. Concentrates
2. Succulents
3. Roughages
4. Suppliment and additives
5. Basal/energy feeds.

PEST CONTROL

Pests can be controlled through the following methods:
1. PHYSICAL METHODS: this involves the physical removal of pest by:
a. Hand picking of insect and larvae
b. Setting traps to catch rodents
c. Shooting rodents with gun, arrows, etc

2. CULTURAL METHOD: this involves the use of farm practices to control
pests. Such practices include:
a. Crop rotation
b. Use of pest resistant varieties
c. Appropriate tillage practices
d. Use of insect traps

3. BIOLOGICAL METHODS: This involves the introduction of the natural
enemies of pest to control or to keep the population under control.

4. CHEMICAL METHODS: this involves the use of pesticides to control pests.

DRAINAGE

Drainage is the artificial removal of excess water from the soil.

ADVANTAGES:
1. Soil aeration is increased
2. Some pests and diseases are controlled
3. Water logging is controlled
4. Agricultural products are enhanced

METHODS OF DRAINAGE:
There are two major methods, namely:
1. SURFACE DRAINAGE: this is done by sucking away the water from the surface.
2. UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE: this is done through hollow cylinders made of
concrete of perforated pipes. Excess water is collected underground
and directed away from the farm.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF EROSION

There are many ways to control erosion and each method depends on
the type of erosion. The methods are grouped into three, viz:
1. CULTURAL METHODS: these include:
a. Use of vegetative cover
b. Organic matter application
c. Avoid bush burning
d. Use of organic fertilizers
e. Mulching
f. Cover cropping

2. SCIENTIFIC METHODS:
These include:
a. Terracing
b. Strip cropping
c. Contour bands
d. Wind breaks

3. MECHANICAL METHODS: these include:
a. Constructing check dams
b. Diversion ditches

Other methods include:
a. Afforestation
b. Selective exploitation
c. Good farm practices.

METHODS OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION

1. Top dressing: fertilizer is applied around the top surface base of the plant
2. Ring method: fertilizer is applied in a round circle from abount
100cm3 from the plants.
3. Broadcasting method: it is the spreading of fertilizer all over the
farm through manual or mechanical means.
4. Row placement: used for crops planted in rows. Fertilizer is placed
in the rows few centimetres away from the crops.
5. Foliar application: this is used mainly for vegetables. A very
dilluted solution of fertilizer is sprayed on the aerial parts of the
plants.

HOW TO PREPARE COMPOST MANURE

This is done by placing waste organic materials like weeds, animals
dungs, ashes, etc, in a heap and leaving the mixture to decompose.
METHODS OF PREPARATION.
1. Stock method and
2. Pit method
1 Stock method involves preparing the compost heaps on the surface of
the earth. This method is particularly ideal for places of high
rainfall.
2. Pit method involves preparing the compost heaps in pits. It is
suitable for places of low rainfall or during dry season.

In general, a flat, well-drained land with shades is needed. After
selecting a suitable site, the next thing is to mark out positions of
the heaps or pits.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Materials including weeds, ashes, urine, animal dungs, farm waste,
household waste, etc.
After getting all the materials, make four heaps or pits: two of
equal size, one bigger and then the last one should be the biggest;
i.e A and B are equal. C is bigger than both and D is the biggest. Put
the compost materials in A and B. After two weeks turn both into C and
put fresh materials into A and B. After two weeks turn C into D and so
on. Pit D is the storage pit from where the compost will be applied.
NOTE: sun-dry the compost and allow to cool before application.

SIMPLE FARM TOOLS

Some tools used in the farm are:
1. Cutlass
2. Hoe
3. Garden fork
4. Hand fork
5. Trowel
6. Rake
7. Shears
8. Secateurs
9. Sprayers
10. Watering can
11. Sickle
12. Axe
13. File
14. Head pan
15. Wheel barrow
16. Spade
17. Shovel
18. Mattock
19. Mallet
20. Tapping knife
21. Dibber
22. Plier
23. Spanner
24. Screw driver

CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS

CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS
Agricultural crops are classified on four bases.
1 BASED ON LIFE CYCLE: this consists of:
a. annual crops
b. biennual crops
c. perenniel crops
d. emphameral crops

2. BASED ON TILLAGE PRACTICES: this consists of:
a. arable crops
b. non-arable crops

3. BASED ON NUMBER OF COTLYDONS: this consists of:
a. monocotlydonous crops and
b. dicotlydonous crops.

4. BASED ON ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: this consists of:
a. Legumes
b. Cereals
c. Roots/tubers
d. Vegetables
e. Fibre crops
f. Beverage crops
g. Latex crops
h. Fruits
i. Nuts
j. Stimulants
k. Spice crops
l. Oil crops
m. Flowers
n. Medicinal herbs

SECTORS OF AGRICULTURE

SECTORS OF AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is a field with many branches. These branches include: 1.
Soil science
2. Animal science
3. Crop science
4. Forestry
5. Horticulture
6. Fishery
7. Agricultural economics
8. Agricultural extension
9. Agricultural education
10. Agricultural engineering
11. Vertinary medicine