Growing Crops: Exploring Propagation Methods for Future Farmers

Subject: Agricultural Science

Class: JSS 2

Term: First Term

Week: Specified Week

Age: 12-14 years

Topic: Crop Propagation

Sub-topic: Methods of Crop Propagation

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define crop propagation.
2. Differentiate between sexual and asexual propagation.
3. Describe the various methods of asexual propagation.
4. Identify plants propagated by sexual and asexual means.
5. Explain the benefits of crop propagation methods.

Keywords

• Crop Propagation
• Sexual Propagation
• Asexual Propagation
• Seed
• Cutting
• Layering

Set Induction

Display different types of seeds (e.g., maize, beans) and plant cuttings (e.g., cassava stem). Ask students to observe and guess how each plant can be grown, stimulating their curiosity.

Entry Behavior

Students are familiar with planting seeds but may not fully understand the different propagation methods used in farming.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Seeds (e.g., maize, beans)
• Plant cuttings (e.g., cassava)
• Images or posters showing propagation methods

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Link students’ knowledge of seed planting to the broader concept of propagation and introduce new methods like cuttings and layering.

Embedded Core Skills

• Observation
• Analytical thinking
• Practical skills

Learning Materials

Illustrations, real plant cuttings, seeds, chalkboard

Reference Books

Lagos State Scheme of Work, Agricultural Science textbooks

Instructional Materials

Whiteboard, marker, seeds, plant cuttings, posters

Content

Definition of Crop Propagation

• Crop propagation is the process of producing new plants from seeds or vegetative parts of a plant.

Types of Crop Propagation

1. Sexual Propagation
   • Involves growing plants from seeds.
   • Seeds are formed from the fertilization process in plants.
   • Common examples: maize, rice, beans, tomatoes.
2. Asexual Propagation
   • Growing new plants without seeds, using other plant parts.
   • Commonly used for plants that do not produce viable seeds or where faster growth is desired.

Methods of Asexual Propagation

1. Cuttings
   • A part of a plant (stem, root, or leaf) is cut and planted to grow a new plant.
   • Common examples: cassava, rose, hibiscus.
2. Layering
   • A branch is bent down and covered with soil to grow roots, then separated from the parent plant.
   • Common examples: yam, strawberry, raspberry.
3. Grafting
   • Joining parts of two plants so they grow as one. This method combines desirable qualities of both plants.
   • Common examples: apple, citrus plants.
4. Budding
   • A bud from one plant is placed onto another plant to grow. This is often used in fruit trees.
   • Common examples: rose, peach, plum.

Advantages of Asexual Propagation

• Faster growth than seeds.
• Maintains desirable traits of the parent plant.
• Useful for plants that do not produce seeds.

Presentation Steps

1. Introduction
   Explain the importance of crop propagation in agriculture, emphasizing the methods used by farmers to produce crops efficiently.
2. Discussion
   Define and differentiate between sexual and asexual propagation. Describe each method of asexual propagation with examples.
3. Demonstration
   Show students seeds and plant cuttings, explaining how each grows into a new plant. Demonstrate cutting and layering techniques using samples.
4. Engagement
   Let students examine the seeds and cuttings, encouraging them to discuss and ask questions about propagation methods.
5. Summary
   Recap the types and methods of crop propagation and reinforce understanding through examples.

Teacher’s Activities

• Explain and demonstrate propagation methods.
• Ask questions to engage students.
• Provide feedback and correct misconceptions.

Learners’ Activities

• Observe the teacher’s demonstration.
• Ask questions for clarification.
• Practice cutting and layering techniques.

Assessment

1. Define crop propagation.
2. What is sexual propagation?
3. Explain asexual propagation.
4. Describe the process of layering.
5. Give examples of crops grown by cuttings.

Conclusion

Summarize the importance of understanding crop propagation and the benefits of each method for agricultural productivity.

“Learn the essential methods of crop propagation in Agricultural Science for JSS 2. Understand sexual and asexual methods, with practical examples and applications.”

15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (with Options)

1. Crop propagation is the process of producing _______.
   a) fruits
   b) plants
   c) flowers
   d) leaves
2. Sexual propagation uses _______ to grow new plants.
   a) seeds
   b) stems
   c) roots
   d) buds
3. Asexual propagation includes methods such as _______.
   a) grafting
   b) flowering
   c) fertilizing
   d) seeding
4. _______ is a method where a plant part is bent to the ground to grow roots.
   a) Grafting
   b) Layering
   c) Planting
   d) Sprouting
5. An example of a plant grown by cutting is _______.
   a) yam
   b) cassava
   c) rice
   d) beans
6. _______ propagation ensures faster growth than seeds.
   a) Natural
   b) Asexual
   c) Seed
   d) Sexual
7. Asexual propagation includes the use of _______.
   a) seeds
   b) spores
   c) plant parts
   d) pollen
8. Budding is commonly used in _______ trees.
   a) flower
   b) fruit
   c) vegetable
   d) grain
9. _______ propagation preserves the parent plant’s traits.
   a) Sexual
   b) Chemical
   c) Asexual
   d) Natural
10. Layering is mostly used for _______ plants.
    a) stem
    b) leaf
    c) soil
    d) stem-rooted
11. Grafting involves joining two _______ together.
    a) animals
    b) plants
    c) soils
    d) seeds
12. Sexual propagation involves _______.
    a) roots
    b) seeds
    c) stems
    d) leaves
13. Cassava is commonly grown through _______.
    a) seeds
    b) cuttings
    c) leaves
    d) spores
14. _______ is when a bud is placed onto another plant.
    a) Planting
    b) Budding
    c) Harvesting
    d) Watering
15. Which of these is an advantage of asexual propagation?
    a) Slower growth
    b) Maintaining traits
    c) Produces fruits
    d) High yield

Class Activity Discussion

1. What is crop propagation?
   Crop propagation is the process of producing new plants from seeds or plant parts.
2. What are the main types of propagation?
   Sexual and asexual propagation.
3. How does sexual propagation work?
   It involves growing plants from seeds formed after fertilization.
4. What is asexual propagation?
   Growing new plants without seeds, using other plant parts like stems and roots.
5. What are some examples of asexual propagation methods?
   Cuttings, layering, grafting, and budding.
6. Why is asexual propagation useful?
   It produces faster growth and retains desirable plant traits.
7. What plants are commonly grown from cuttings?
   Cassava, rose, and hibiscus.
8. How does layering work?
   A branch is covered with soil to grow roots, then separated.
9. What is grafting?
   Combining two plants so they grow as one, common in apples and citrus.
10. What is budding?
    Placing a bud on another plant to grow, often in fruit trees.
11. How does sexual propagation benefit plants?
    It produces genetic diversity in plants.
12. Which plants can be propagated through layering?
    Strawberry and raspberry.
13. What is the purpose of grafting?
    To combine the strengths of two different plants.
14. What is an example of a seed-grown plant?
    Maize or beans.
15. Why is propagation important in agriculture?
    It enables farmers to produce crops efficiently and maintain plant traits.

Evaluation Questions

1. Define crop propagation.
2. Explain sexual propagation.
3. List two crops grown by seeds.
4. What is asexual propagation?
5. Describe the layering process.
6. Why is asexual propagation beneficial?
7. Name two plants grown by cutting.
8. What is grafting?
9. Explain the process of budding.
10. Why do farmers use propagation methods?