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