CULTURAL PRACTICES IN AGRICULTURE Lesson note

PROPOSED LESSON PLAN/NOTE FOR THE THIRD WEEK ENDING 30^th SEPTEMBER, 2022

2022/2023 ACADEMIC SESSION

SUBJECT: AGRIC SCIENCE

TOPIC: CULTURAL PRACTICES

CLASS: GRADE 8

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 30

AVERAGE AGE: 12+ YEARS

GENDER: MIXED

TIME: 12:40-1:20 AND 1:20-2:00 RESPECTIVELY

PERIOD: 2^nd AND 5^th PERIOD ON MONDAY AND FRIDAY RESPECTIVELY

DURATION: 40 MINUTES

DATE: 26/09/2022 and 30/09/2022 Respectively

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: By the end of the lesson the students should be able to;

i. describe Pre-planting Operations;

ii. describe Planting Operation.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR/ PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: Students are familiar with things done during cultivation of crops.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS/TECHNIC: Questions, simulation, visual.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:Pictures showing different pre-planting operations.

INTRODUCTION: Questions posed to the students include

Question 1: If you want to start a farm what do you do?

Expected Answer: The first thing you do is obtain a piece of land

STEP I: PRE-PLANTING OPERATION

This are things done before planting in a farm.

(a) Choice of Site: When a person wants to start a farm, the first thing he has to do is to obtain a piece of land. After the would-be farmer has got a land, the next step to take is to prepare the land for farming operations.

Question 2: After obtaining a piece of land what do you do next?

Expected Answer: You clear the land

(b) Clearing: Land preparation start with clearing. This is the removal of all the plants from the land. Tools used for clearing include cutlasses for removal of shrubs and undergrowth, hoes for ridge formation and axes for cutting down of small trees, Bulldozers for removal of all plants growth.

Question 3: After clearing your farm what do you do next?

Expected Answer: You remove the stumps

(c) Stumping: The removal of roots and other underground plant parts is called stumping.

Question 4: After removing the stumps from you farm, what do you do next?

Expected Answer: You divide the land into blocks or plots.

(d) Plotting: Plotting involves dividing the land into blocks which are further divided into plots.

Question 5: After dividing the land into blocks and plots, what do you do next?

Expected Answers: You till the land.

(e) Tilling: This involves ploughing, harrowing and ridging.

Question 6: After tilling your land, what do you do next?

Expected Answer: You select the seeds to be planted.

(f) Seed selection: Only good live seed should be planted. 95 to 98 percentage germination is recommended for selling to farmers.

Question 7: After selecting the seed to be planted, what do you do next?

Expected Answer: You either raise the seed in small containers before finally transplanting into the soil or you plant it, if they do not required raising in small containers.

(g) Nursery and Nursery Practices: This involves raising the seed in small containers before finally transplanting into the soil. Plant like oranges, grapefruit, lemon, vegetable are usually raised in the nursery.

Question 8: What are planting operations?

Expected Answer: This are things done during planting.

STEP II: PLANTING OPERATIONS

Planting operations refers to all that is done during the cultivation of crops. The planting season of crops varies from crop to crop and also from one part of Nigeria to another. Planting of crops is, however, mainly done during the rainy season.

Question 9: What do you think are the implications of planting seeds in dry season in Nigeria?

Expected Answer: The seeds may not germinate or if it does, may not grow well.

(a)Seed Treatment: The treatment that is given to seeds before they are sown varies with the different crop seeds. For instance, if seed rice is being sent to another country the seeds are given hot water treatment to kill seed-borne nematode eggs. Such seeds are soaked in warm water at 40°C for ten minutes, and then put into water at 60°C for twenty minutes, while stirring. Thereafter, they are cooled in running water at room temperature. Better results are however got if the seeds are dried immediately after heating them.

Some seeds e.g. rice seeds are dressed with Thiram powder to kill fungus diseases. Transported seeds are also treated with organo-mercuric compound in order to disinfect them against seed-borne diseases like rice blast, brown spot and seedling infections.

(b) Spacing and Planting: When the different crops are planted, the spacing along the rows and between the rows varies from crop to crop.

The teacher showed the students the instructional material i.e. a pictures showing different pre-planting operations.

EVALUATION:

i. Describe Pre-planting Operations;

ii. Describe Planting Operation.

SUMMARY/CONCLUSSION:

i. Pre-planting operation includes; choice of site, clearing, stumping, plotting, tilling, seed selection, nursery and nursery practices.

ii. Planting operation includes; seed treatment, spacing and planting operation.

ASSIGNMENT:

1. What is pre-planting operation?

2. Describe planting operations?