Crop production is the growing of plants for food, fibre and other uses. Good crop production depends on carrying out the correct cultural practices in the right order.
Classification of Crops
- By life span: annuals (maize, rice — one year), biennials (cassava — two years), perennials (cocoa, oil palm — many years).
- By use: cereals (maize, rice), legumes (beans, groundnut), root crops (yam, cassava), vegetables, fruits, cash crops (cocoa, rubber).
- By form: monocotyledons (maize) and dicotyledons (beans).
Cultural Practices (in order)
- Land clearing: removal of vegetation.
- Stumping: removal of tree stumps.
- Tillage: ploughing and harrowing to loosen the soil.
- Ridging/mound-making: creating beds for planting.
- Planting/sowing: placing seeds or seedlings in the soil.
- Fertiliser/manure application: adding nutrients.
- Weeding: removing unwanted plants.
- Watering (irrigation): supplying water in dry periods.
- Pest and disease control: spraying with pesticides.
- Harvesting: collecting the mature produce.
Plant Nutrition and Fertilisers
Plants need macronutrients (nitrogen N, phosphorus P, potassium K — and others) and micronutrients (iron, zinc, etc.). Fertilisers supply these nutrients.
- Nitrogen (N): promotes leaf growth (green colour).
- Phosphorus (P): promotes root development and flowering.
- Potassium (K): promotes fruit formation and disease resistance.
Weeds and Their Control
A weed is any unwanted plant growing where it is not needed. Weeds compete with crops for water, nutrients, light and space, and can harbour pests. Control methods include hand-pulling, hoeing, mulching, and using herbicides.
Summary
Crops are classified by life span, use and form. Cultural practices (from clearing to harvesting) must be done correctly for a good yield. Fertilisers supply N, P and K, and weeds must be controlled because they compete with crops.
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