AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

CLASS – SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL (SS 1)

THEME – CROP PRODUCTION 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Agricultural Science Curriculum Guides (Plan Lesson Notes) for Senior Secondary Schools (SSS 1)

 

TOPIC – HUSBANDRY OF SELECTED CROPS

LEARNING AREA

1. Introductory Activities

2. Husbandry of Selected Crops

3. Approved Husbandry Practices

 

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES 

By the end of the lesson, most of the students should have attained the following objectives –

1. state major crop husbandry practices.

2. grow at least one representative crop from each of the following groups:

• Cereals

• Pulses

• Roots and tubers

• Vegetables and fruits

• Beverages and spices

• Oil, latex and  fibre.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. School farm.

2. Farm inputs.

 

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. National Curriculum for SSS Classes

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

 

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Husbandry is the practice of cultivating crops and raising livestock for agricultural purposes. In this class, we will focus on the husbandry of selected crops, including tips for successful cultivation and harvesting. Crop husbandry is the cultivation and production of edible crops for food. The husbandry of selected crops involves careful planning, regular maintenance, and timely harvesting to ensure a successful harvest.

 

HUSBANDRY OF SELECTED CROPS

1. Cereals

2. Pulses (Garin Legumes)

3. Roots and Tubers

4. Vegetables and fruits.

5. Beverages and Spices

6. Oil, Latex and Fibre

 

HUSBANDRY OF SELECTED CROPS (CEREALS – MAIZE AND RICE) 

1. Botanical Name

• Maize – Zea Mays L

• Rice – Oryza Sativa

 

2. Common Names of Maize

• Maize – Hausa (Mascara), Yoruba (Agbado) and Igbo (Oka)

• Rice – Hausa (Shinkafa) Yoruba (Iresi) and Igbo (Osikapa)

 

3. Varieties/Types of Maize

• Maize – Popcorn, Dent corn, Pod corn, Flint corn, Sweet corn, Waxy corn, Flour corn

• Rice – Swamp rice (Rice grown in water logged areas and Upland rice (Rice grown on ordinary).

 

4. Climatic Requirements 

• Maize – Temperature (15°C – 35°C) and Rainfall (50cm – 75cm)

• Rice – Temperature (20°C and 32°C) and Rainfall (100cm – 150cm)

 

5. Soil Requirements

• Maize – Sandy loam

• Rice – Clay or clay loam

 

6. Planting Date 

• Maize – April – October in the South and June – September in the North

• Rice – April – October in the South and June – September in the North

 

7. Method of Propagation

• Maize by seeds

• Rice by seeds

 

8. Cultural Practice

• Maize – Supplying, Thinning (removal of some plants, or parts of plants, to make room for the growth of others and transplant them to the empty space), Weeding, Fertilizer application, Pests and diseases control.

• Rice – Supplying, Thinning (removal of some plants, or parts of plants, to make room for the growth of others and transplant them to the empty space), Weeding, Fertilizer application, Pests and diseases control.

 

9. Harvesting Period

• Maize – Fresh maize (90 – 120 days after planting) and Dried maize (4 – 6 months)

• Rice – 4 – 7 months

Maize and rice are typically harvested when the grains are fully mature and the moisture content is at the appropriate level for storage. Appropriate harvesting equipment, such as combine harvesters, to efficiently and effectively harvest maize and rice crops.

 

10. Storage and Process

• Maize – Large scale production can be stored in silo, cribs or rumbus and small scale can stored in over fire place, bins, sack bags, air tight containers, etc.

• Rice – Harvesting, sun-drying, soaking in water, parboiling (steaming) is done to reduce breakage, sun-drying again, milling/hulling which is the removal of the husks from the grains and polish.

 

11. Pests of Maize and Rice

• Maize – Grasshopper, maize stem borers, rats, maize weevils, etc.

• Rice – Birds (most common), rats, grasshopper, etc.

 

12. Diseases of Maize and Rice

• Maize – Maize smut, maize rust, maize streak, etc.

• Rice – Rice blast, rice blight, rice smut, etc.

 

13. Uses of Maize and Rice

• Maize – Maize flour, starch, food for man, chaff for feeding livestock, etc.

• Rice – Source of food for man while rice husks serves as food for livestock, rice seeds for making baby’s’ food and source of carbohydrates.

 

14. Watering – Maize and rice crops require consistent moisture throughout their growing season. While some crops like rice are flooded, maize needs regular watering to ensure optimal growth and development. Monitor soil moisture levels and water crops as needed to prevent drought stress.

 

15. Fertilization – Maize and rice crops have specific nutrient requirements at different growth stages. Consider conducting soil tests to determine the nutrient levels in your soil and adjust fertilization practices accordingly. Apply fertilizers, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, at the recommended rates to promote healthy growth and high yields.

 

16. Weed and Pest Management – Weeds compete with maize and rice crops for nutrients and water are essentially control manually or by the use of mechine and chemical means. The crops are monitor regularly for signs of pest infestations and diseases in order to take appropriate measures to prevent damage and ensure crop health.

 

PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITIES 

The teacher,

1. supervises cultivation of crops suited to local environment.

2. summarizes the lesson on the board.

 

STUDENT’S ACTIVITIES

The students,

1. cultivation of crops and keeping of appropriate farm records.

2. copy as the teacher writes.

 

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

 

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks students to:

1. List major husbandry practices.

2. Carry out approved husbandry practices leading to the production of a least one representative from each crop groups.

3. Prepare and present records of farm activities involved in growing chosen crops.