Post Planting Operations Agricultural Science Primary 5 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Agricultural Science Primary 5 First Term Lesson Notes Week 5

Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: Primary 5
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 9 years
Topic: Post-Planting Activities
Sub-topic: Irrigation, Mulching, Thinning, Supplying, Application of Manure/Fertilizer, and Weeding
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioural Objectives: By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain post-planting activities.
2. Outline examples of activities done during post-planting.
3. Demonstrate the application of fertilizer on farm crops.

Keywords: Post-planting, Irrigation, Mulching, Thinning, Supplying, Fertilizer, Weeding

Set Induction:
The teacher will begin by asking pupils what they think happens after planting crops. The teacher will explain that for crops to grow well, there are several important activities that must be done after planting.

Entry Behaviour:
Pupils are familiar with planting activities from the previous lessons.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Manure/Fertilizer
• Watering cans
• Mulching materials (e.g., straw)
• Weeding tools (e.g., hoe)
• Charts showing post-planting activities

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
The teacher will remind pupils of the planting activities they practiced in the previous lesson and explain that after planting, the crops need care and maintenance through post-planting activities.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Practical skills
• Critical thinking
• Observation

Learning Materials:

• Agricultural Science Textbook
• Real farm tools (watering cans, hoes, fertilizers)
• Whiteboard and marker

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Primary 5 Agricultural Science Textbook

Instructional Materials:

• Charts illustrating post-planting activities
• Samples of manure/fertilizer
• Mulching materials
• Weeding tools

Content:

1. Explanation of Post-Planting Activities:

• Irrigation: The process of supplying water to crops through various methods, especially during dry periods.
• Mulching: Placing organic or inorganic materials around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health.
• Thinning: Removing excess seedlings from an area to ensure that the remaining plants have enough space to grow properly.
• Supplying: Replanting or replacing seeds or seedlings in areas where they did not grow well or were damaged.
• Application of Manure/Fertilizer: Adding organic or chemical nutrients to the soil to enhance the growth of crops.
• Weeding: Removing unwanted plants (weeds) that compete with crops for nutrients, water, and sunlight.

2. Examples of Post-Planting Activities:

• Irrigation Methods: Sprinkler, drip, and surface irrigation.
• Mulching Materials: Straw, leaves, grass clippings, plastic sheets.
• Thinning Practice: Reducing overcrowded seedlings to promote healthy plant growth.
• Supplying: Adding new seeds or seedlings where there are gaps in the rows.
• Fertilizer Application: Using compost, manure, or chemical fertilizers to enrich the soil.
• Weeding Tools: Hoe, cutlass, hand weeder.

3. Demonstration of Fertilizer Application on Farm Crops:

• Types of Fertilizers: Organic (e.g., compost, manure) and inorganic (e.g., NPK fertilizer).
• Methods of Application: Broadcasting, side-dressing, top-dressing.
• Practical Demonstration: The teacher will demonstrate how to apply fertilizer around the base of plants, ensuring it is done properly to avoid damaging the crops.

Post-planting are the activities that are done after the vegetable seeds must have been planted. Post-planting operations include:

1.Mulching: It is the protective covering of organic materials laid over the soil around the plants to prevent erosion, retain moisture and sometimes enrich the soil.

2.Manuring is the the application of organic or inorganic manure to the soil to improve the fertility of the soil.e.g animal dung.

3.Staking is the erection of long stick on the farm to protect leaves of crops e.g tomato

4.Thinning is the reduction of the number of seedling s per stand.

5.Supplying is the replanting of seeds that fail to germinate.

Other post-planting operations are:

6.Pest control : This deals with the steps that are taken by the farmers to prevent pests from attacking his crops, livestock and farm produce. The steps may be by applying pesticides, herbicide or by setting traps for the pests. The farmer may also introduce the natural enemy or predator of that pest to the farm to control the pest

7.Harvesting : This post planting operation is done when crops are fully grown and matures. Matured crops are harvested and stored.

8.Processing : This is done to prevent highly perishable farm produce from getting spoilt quickly.

9.Preservation : Preservation on the farm may be done by drying, salting, freezing, smoking or drying. All these are done to reduce the rate or speed at which farm product get spoilt

10.Storage : Farm produce are stored in specially built building to make them last longer. Yam are stored in the barn while maize are stored in the crib

12. Watering : This post planting operation is done in order to make water available for plant. It is the application of water to the seeds or crops that are already planted by using watering can

13. Weeding : This is the removal of unwanted plants on the farm land. Weeds compete with plants for the available nutrients and make harvest very poor if such weeds are not uprooted or removed in good time.

14.Marketing : This is the sales of farm produce by making them available to the people through marketing

Questions:

1. Supplying water to crops after planting is called _______.
   • a) Thinning
   • b) Irrigation
   • c) Weeding
2. Placing materials around plants to conserve moisture is known as _______.
   • a) Mulching
   • b) Thinning
   • c) Supplying
3. Removing excess seedlings from the farm is called _______.
   • a) Weeding
   • b) Supplying
   • c) Thinning
4. _______ involves replacing seeds or seedlings where they did not grow well.
   • a) Supplying
   • b) Irrigation
   • c) Mulching
5. Adding nutrients to the soil to enhance crop growth is known as _______.
   • a) Weeding
   • b) Thinning
   • c) Fertilizer application
6. Removing unwanted plants that compete with crops is called _______.
   • a) Mulching
   • b) Weeding
   • c) Supplying
7. Sprinkler and drip are types of _______ methods.
   • a) Fertilizer
   • b) Irrigation
   • c) Weeding
8. _______ is used to remove weeds from the farm.
   • a) Hoe
   • b) Dibber
   • c) Watering can
9. Organic fertilizer can be made from _______.
   • a) Manure
   • b) Plastic
   • c) Metal
10. Mulching helps to _______ soil moisture.
    • a) Increase
    • b) Conserve
    • c) Reduce
11. Weeding should be done _______ to prevent weeds from taking over the farm.
    • a) Occasionally
    • b) Regularly
    • c) Rarely
12. Fertilizer should be applied _______ to avoid damaging the crops.
    • a) Close to the roots
    • b) Far from the roots
    • c) On the leaves
13. Thinning helps to ensure that plants have enough _______ to grow.
    • a) Space
    • b) Water
    • c) Weeds
14. Mulching materials can include _______.
    • a) Leaves
    • b) Stones
    • c) Plastic
15. The method of supplying water to crops through controlled droplets is called _______.
    • a) Sprinkler irrigation
    • b) Drip irrigation
    • c) Surface irrigation

Class Activity Discussion 

1. Q: What is irrigation?
   A: Irrigation is the process of supplying water to crops through various methods, especially during dry periods.
2. Q: Why is mulching important?
   A: Mulching helps to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health around plants.
3. Q: What is thinning in crop production?
   A: Thinning is the removal of excess seedlings to ensure that the remaining plants have enough space to grow.
4. Q: When is supplying necessary?
   A: Supplying is necessary when some seeds or seedlings fail to grow properly, and new ones need to be planted to fill the gaps.
5. Q: What are the benefits of applying fertilizer?
   A: Applying fertilizer provides essential nutrients to the soil, promoting healthy and vigorous crop growth.
6. Q: How does weeding help crops?
   A: Weeding removes unwanted plants that compete with crops for nutrients, water, and sunlight.
7. Q: What materials can be used for mulching?
   A: Materials like straw, leaves, grass clippings, and plastic sheets can be used for mulching.
8. Q: What are the different methods of irrigation?
   A: Common irrigation methods include sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, and surface irrigation.
9. Q: What is the purpose of thinning crops?
   A: Thinning ensures that each plant has enough space to grow and access resources.
10. Q: What tools are used for weeding?
    A: Tools like hoes, cutlasses, and hand weeders are commonly used for weeding.
11. Q: When should fertilizer be applied to crops?
    A: Fertilizer should be applied at the appropriate stage of crop growth, depending on the type of fertilizer and crop.
12. Q: How does mulching improve soil health?
    A: Mulching improves soil health by adding organic matter, conserving moisture, and reducing soil erosion.
13. Q: What is the difference between organic and inorganic fertilizers?
    A: Organic fertilizers are made from natural materials like manure and compost, while inorganic fertilizers are manufactured chemicals.
14. Q: How does irrigation benefit crops during dry periods?
    A: Irrigation provides the necessary water for crops to grow when rainfall is insufficient.
15. Q: What is the best time to weed a farm?
    A: The best time to weed is when weeds are small and before they start competing with crops for resources.

Presentation:

Step 1: The teacher introduces the topic by explaining the importance of post-planting activities in ensuring healthy crop growth and maximizing yield.

Step 2: The teacher demonstrates each post-planting activity, such as irrigation, mulching, thinning, supplying, fertilizer application, and weeding, using real tools and materials.

Step 3: The teacher guides pupils through hands-on practice, allowing them to perform these activities on a small section of the school farm.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Explain and demonstrate the various post-planting activities.
• Show pupils how to properly apply fertilizer and mulch around crops.
• Supervise pupils as they practice irrigation, thinning, and weeding on the school farm.

Learners’ Activities:

• Listen and watch as the teacher explains and demonstrates the activities.
• Participate in hands-on practice, such as applying fertilizer and performing mulching.
• Ask questions and seek clarification when needed.

Assessment:

1. Explain the importance of irrigation in crop production.
2. What materials can be used for mulching?
3. Why is thinning important for crops?
4. Describe the process of supplying in farming.
5. How do you apply fertilizer to crops?

Conclusion:
The teacher will review the day’s lesson, going around to check pupils’ work, provide feedback, and correct any mistakes related to the post-planting activities.