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Crop Husbandry

14 min read

Land preparation

Crop husbandry means the practices used to raise a crop from the seed to harvest. Land preparation includes clearing (cutting bush and trees), primary cultivation (ploughing or digging to loosen the soil and bury weeds), and secondary cultivation (harrowing to a fine tilth). It lets roots grow, improves drainage and aeration, kills weeds and pests and buries crop residues.

PracticePurpose
Ridging or beddingDrainage, deeper topsoil (potato, sweet potato)
Terracing, contour ridgesControl erosion on slopes
MulchingKeeps water, controls weeds, adds humus
WeedingRemoves competition for light, water and nutrients
Earthing upCovers tubers, supports plants
Pruning and trainingShapes plants for fruit and ease of work
IrrigationSupplies water in dry weather

Weed, pest and disease control

Weeds are plants growing where they are not wanted. They compete with crops. Control by cultural methods (hand weeding, mulching, crop rotation, clean seed), chemical methods (herbicides), biological methods and mechanical methods. Pests (insects, nematodes, birds, rodents) and diseases (fungi, bacteria, viruses) are managed by integrated pest management (IPM): using resistant varieties, crop rotation, timely planting, hygiene, natural enemies and, only when needed, pesticides applied safely.

Pest or diseaseCropControl
Maize stalk borerMaizeClean the field, rotate, resistant seed, safe insecticide
ArmywormCerealsEarly scouting, spraying, natural enemies
Cassava mosaic virusCassavaUse clean cuttings and resistant varieties
Coffee berry diseaseCoffeeFungicides, pruning, resistant varieties
Tomato blightTomatoRotation, spacing, fungicide
Crop rotationA four-year rotation. A field grows maize in year one, which uses a lot of nitrogen. Beans follow in year two and add nitrogen to the soil. Root crops such as cassava or sweet potato come in year three, and a cover crop or fallow in year four. Changing crops breaks pest and disease cycles and keeps the soil fertile.Year 1: maizeheavy feederYear 2: beansadds nitrogenYear 3: cassavadeep rootsYear 4: fallowsoil restsrepeat
The longer weeds are left, the more yield is lost.
Try itYield loss from weeds

Weeds that stay in a maize crop for several weeks cause a yield loss. Choose the weedy period and the normal yield.

Check yourself The purpose of mulching is
Check yourself Crop rotation helps to
Check yourself Secondary cultivation is

Key terms

Tilth
The fine crumbly condition of the soil surface.
Weed
A plant growing where it is not wanted.
IPM
Integrated pest management.
Mulch
A layer of material covering the soil.

Summary

  • Land preparation: clearing, primary and secondary cultivation.
  • Weeds compete with crops and must be controlled early.
  • Use IPM for pests and diseases.
  • Mulching, rotation and terracing protect the soil.
Principles of Crop Production