FIELD CROP PRODUCTION

A field crop is any plant that is grown in a large field, usually rain-fed and includes food and non-
food crops.
1.3.3.1.1

Classification of field crops

Classification of field crop Examples of crops under the class

1. Cereal crops  Maize
 They produce grains and are rich in carbohydrates.  Sorghum
 Wheat
 Millet
 Rice

 Beans
2. Legumes crops  Groundnuts (Manoko)
 They bear their seeds in pods and are rich in proteins  Jugo beans
 Their roots develop nodules that store Nitrogen that can be  Cowpeas
left in the soil.  Mung beans (Letlhodi)
 Bambara groundnuts (Ditloo)

3. Fruit crops  Water melon (Magapu)

 The part eaten has some seeds inside.  Pumpkins (Maphutshe)
 Melons (Makatane)
 Squashes (Makgomane)

4. Root crops  Sweet potato (Dipotata)

 The part eaten grows underground  Yam
 Cassava
 Potatoes (Makwele)

5. Oil crops  Groundnuts

 They are used for making cooking oil.  Sunflower
 Soya beans
 Castor

6. Plantation crops  Sugar cane

 They are usually grown for further processing.  Rubber
 Coconut
 Cotton
 Tobacco

7. Beverage crops  Coffee

 They are used to make drinks  Tea
 Cocoa
 Water melon
 ginger

8. Fodder crops  Maize

 Are grown mainly for feeding livestock.  Sorghum
 Lucerne
 Cowpeas

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 1.3.3.1.2

VARIETIES OF FIELD CROPS

Crops Varieties/cultivars
Maize  Kgalagadi early pearl
 Potcherstroon Pearl,
 SR42
Sorghum  Segaolane,
 Mmabaitse,
 Mahube,
 Phofu
Cowpeas  Black eye,
 Tswana,
 Rhenoster
 ER7
Groundnuts  Sellie,
 GC8-13,
 S46 and
 ICGS-31
Millet  Serere,
 Bontle and
 Legakwe
sunflower  Russian no. 4

1.3.3.1.3

SOIL AND CLIMATIC CONDITIONS NEEDED FOR GROWTH OF FIELD CROPS

Field crop Soil conditions needed Climatic conditions needed

Maize (Zea mays)  Grows best in fertile, deep, well aerated  Sunny weather conditions
and well drained soils such as loam needed
 Acid to neutral pH most suitable  Rainfall of 400mm to
900mm required during
the growing season
 Dry weather required
before harvesting
Sorghum  Sandy loam required  Hot weather conditions
(Sorghum bicolor)  Well drained and fertile  Rainfall of atleast 300mm
 pH of 5.5 to 8.5  Can be easily damaged by
frost
Millet  Light sandy loam soil needed  Can survive dry conditions
 Deep, well drained and aerated  Grows well under hot
 pH of 5.0 and 7.0 temperatures
 300mm rainfall is enough
 Needs more water during
flowering

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Sunflower  Good drainage soils such as the sandy  500mm of rainfall needed
loam is required  Enough water is required
 pH of 6.5 to 8.5 during flowering
 Too much rainfall leads to
rotting of seed heads
 Grows well under warm
temperatures
Groundnut (Archis  Sandy to sandy loam soils required  Grows well under warm
hypogea)  Addition of fertilisers with phosphorus to hot temperatures
is needed  Needs rainfall of atleast
 pH 5.8 to 6.2 (slightly acid soils) 500mm per year
 Deep, well drained and aerated soils
Cowpeas (Vigna  Well drained sandy loam and clay loam  Grows well in warm dry
unguiculata) soils areas
 pH of 5.5-7.5 is needed  Rainfall of atleast 300mm
 No need to add Nitrogen in the growing season
 Hot and dry conditions
needed for the ripening of
cowpeas

1.3.3.1.4

TYPE OF MANURE OR FERTILISER REQUIRED FOR NORMAL GROWTH OF FILED CROPS

 Most of the crops will benefit from addition of compost and kraal manure as these do
not only add nutrients but they also improve the soil structure.
 Fertilisers such as urea, limestone ammonium nitrate (L.A.N), superphosphate and 2:3:2
(22) are usually added to the soil depending on the nutrient needs of the plants.
 There is no need to add nitrogen fertilizes to the soil when growing legume cops e.g
beans, cowpeas etc
1.3.3.1.5-1.3.3.1.6

CALCULATING AND MEASURING THE AMOUNT OF FERTILISER TO APPLY TO A CROP FIELD

Amount of fertilizer needed= Rate of fertilizer application X size of the field

(Kg) (Kg/ha) (ha)

If the fertilizer application rate of super phosphate for sorghum is 200kg/ha: how much super
phosphate is needed for a field of 1000m2? Show your working (1ha = 10 000m2)

MEASURING FERTILISER TO ADD TO THE SOIL

 After calculating how much fertilizer is needed, then you need to measure the correct
amount

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  Remember if too much or too little fertilizer is added crops will not grow as we expect
them to.
 A scale can be used to weigh the amount of fertilizer especially in small amounts.

1.3.3.1.7

APPLICATION OF FERTILIZER USING APPROPRIATE METHODS

i. Broadcasting – is when fertilizer is spread on the surface of the soil by hand or using
machines. The fertilizer is then mixed with the soil during cultivation.

ii. Foliar application- it is the application of soluble fertilizers on the leaves of plants. The
soluble fertilizer is sprayed on the leaves which then absorb the nutrients through tiny
pores called the stomata.

iii. Fertigation- dissolving fertilizers in water and applied to the plants roots by means of
irrigation.

iv. Band application – involves placing fertilizers in bands or strips next to plants or seeds.

1.3.3.1.8

 Grains of fertilizer should not land on plant leaves

 Water after applying the fertilizer.
 Do not broadcast fertilizer on windy days as the fertilizer may be blown away.
 Do not overdose crops with fertilizers as this can kill plants.
 Use the correct or appropriate methods to apply the fertilizer needed

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  Do not eat or drink nor smoke while handling fertilizers until after washing with plenty
of water and soap.
 Determine the nutrients lacking in the soil before adding fertilizers.

SEED TREATMENT
This is the application of chemicals to seeds before sowing to protect them from soil borne
diseases and pests. It is also called seed coating / seed dressing
OR
Treatment of a seed can also be described as weakening or removal of seed coat to encourage
germination.

1.3.3.1.9
Reasons for treating seeds before planting
 Protection against pest and diseases
 Protecting seeds from pathogens
 Killing pathogens that are already in the seeds
 To improve the germination of seeds and seedling emergence

1.3.3.1.10

METHODS OF TREATING SEEDS for storage

1. Traditional method: involves using wood or cow dung ash to treat the seeds. The ash
will prevent insects such as weevils from eating the seeds

Description of how seeds are treated using traditional method

I. Decide how much seeds you would like to treat and put those in a container
II. Collect wood or cow dung ash. If not available, make fire using wood or dry cow
dung from which to collect ash.
III. Put enough wood or cow dung ash in the container with seeds
IV. Mix the wood ash or cow dung ash with the seeds thoroughly
V. Store the seeds in a safe and secure place.

2. Modern method: involves using chemicals to treat and protect seeds against any insects
that can eat or damage them. E.g. Malathion 1%, Captab and Phostoxin.

Description of how you would treat seeds using Malathion 1%

I. Decide how much seeds you would like to treat and put these in a container with a lid
II. Add Malathion 1% to the seeds in the container at the rate of 90g per 100kg of seeds
III. Close the container tightly and shake until the seeds are covered with the chemical
IV. You can then remove the seeds and store them safely for later use.

1.3.3.1.11

Precautions to be taken when handling treated seeds.

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  Never touch treated seeds with bare hands, always use gloves.
 Do not drink, smoke or eat while handling treated seeds.
 Wash your hands after handling treated seeds
 Do not use treated seeds as food.
 Keep treated seeds away from children.
 Wear gloves when you handle seeds
 Read the safety precautions on the seed packet

Ways of treating seeds to promote germination or treating seeds for

dormancy

I. Soaking – it is when seeds are put in either warm or cold water for about 24
hours to soften the seed coat.

II. Removal of the seed coat – the seed coat is gently removed without disturbing
the embryo of a seed before sowing.

III. Boiling – seeds are boiled for some few minutes to soften the seed coat. Care
should be taken not to cook them.

IV. Acid scarification – it is the use of acid to corrode away the seed coat.

V. Scratching – it is making of deep scratches on the seed coat by using a rough

object to weaken the seed coat.

CROP MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

 Weeding
 Thinning
 Fertilizing
 Pest and disease control
 Watering
 Soil cultivation
 Thinning

1.3.3.2.2-1.3.3.2.3

PESTS AFFECTING FIELD CROPS AND HOW THEY ARE CONTROLLED

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 Pest Damage caused Control
Stalk borers It bores its way into the stem of Destroying plant remains
maize or sorghum damaging the Practicing crop rotation
plants Using insecticides such as endosulfan
Armoured cricket They bite & chew leaves and grains Using carbaryl and cypermethrin
(Corn cricket) of plant Building 50cm trenches around the
field
FIELD PESTS

Hand picking
Aphids Suck sap from plant tissues and can Planting resistant cultivars
transmit diseases Using insecticides such as endosulfan
Bollworm Feeds on seeds and flowers of Practicing crop rotation
sorghum and maize Using carbaryl

Quelea birds Eat sorghum and millet grains Scaring them away
Destroying nests around the field
Harvesting sorghum and millet earlier
Use of scare crows

locusts Eat leaves and seeds of crops Spraying with chemicals

It small areas hand picking is possible

DISEASES AFFECTING CROPS AND HOW THEY ARE CONTROLLED

Disease cause symptoms control

Maize rust fungus Reddish spots or patches on plant leaves Plant resistant cultivars
Destroying crop remains after
harvesting
Practicing crop rotation
Leaf spot fungus Dark brown spots on leaves Early planting
Leaves fall off Crop rotation
Spraying plants with Dithane M45
Bacterial bacteria Small circular water soaked spots appear Using clean treated seeds
blight on the underside of leaves Crop rotation
Planting resistant varieties
Maize streak virus White to yellow streaks develop on Using insecticides to control
virus leaves hoppers
Planting resistant cultivars
Practice early planting
Practicing crop rotation
Powdery fungus White patches and greenish powder like Avoid over watering
mildew growths appear on the leaves Planting resistant cultivars
Removing and destroying infected
plants

1.3.3.2.4

PRECATIONS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN HANDLING FARM CHEMICALS

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  Keep chemicals out of reach of children
 Keep chemicals in their correct containers
 Wear protective clothing
 Follow instructions on how to use chemicals.do not eat drink when using chemicals
 Rinse with clean water if you come into contact with chemicals
 Never pour left overs chemicals into rivers, surface water sources
 Do not harvest and eat crops that have been sprayed with chemicals until 14 days after
they were sprayed.
 Spray chemicals downwind on a day when they are not much wind.
1.3.3.2.5

EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES OR CHEMICALS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

 Pesticides kill all insects, including beneficial ones

 Chemicals upset the ecological balance
 Chemical fumes pollute air
 Chemical fumes pollute water sources and underground water
 Resistant strains develops
 Chemicals enter the food chain and kill other species

1.3.3.2.6

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL METHODS

a) Cultural methods: This is the use of crop management practices to control pests.
 Crop rotation
 Early planting
 Removal of weeds
 Destroying crop residues before planting a new crop
 Deep cultivation to expose pest eggs
b) Biological method
 This is the use of other organisms to control pests. i.e. use of cats for rodents,
use ladybird to control aphids.
 The use of disease resistant varieties

c) Mechanical methods: this involves the use of physical ways to control pests e.g
 Use of trenches to control corn crickets
 Use of traps
 Picking insects by hand and crushing them

d) Quarantine & legislation method
 Plants or crops products movement is restricted from one area to another
 Some imported food and plant materials may introduce pests into the country
hence they are quarantined and tested to make sure they are free from pests &
diseases.

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 e) Use of organic pesticides: homemade sprays made from garlic, chilies or onions may be
used to control pests because insects are repelled by their strong smell. e.g. Chilies used
to control elephants in Chobe region

1.3.3.2.7

METHODS OF PESTICIDE APPLICATION USING CHEMICALS

USING A KNAPSACK SPRAYER

 Make sure to mix the correct concentration
 Close the cap on the tank tightly and shake the tank vigorously
 Plant the sprayer away from yourself and pump it to build up pressure
 Shake the tank every now and then to keep mixing the content
 When the nozzle becomes blocked, remove the nozzle cover and then pump two or
three times to remove the blockage

1.3.3.2.8

CHEMICALS COMMONLY USED TO CONTROL PESTS AND DISEASES

Chemicals used to control pests affecting crops Chemicals used to control diseases affecting crops
 Cutworm bait  Dithane M45
 Kopthion (Malathion)  Bravo 720
 Actellic super  Virikop
 Phostoxin  Copper oxychloride
 Endosulfun  Carbofuran
 Carboryl
 Cypermethrin
 Doom

1.3.3.2.8

METHODS OF HARVESTING OF FIELD CROPS

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 1. Use of hand e.g. using hand tools such as knives, sickles, pruning shear etc to cut off the
mature edible part of the plant. Or hand picking or up-rooting mature crops

 Use of Machines e.g. Such as combine harvester to cut off the mature edible part of the
plant

METHODS ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

By hand  Only simple tools, if any, are needed  It is labour intensive
 No expensive equipment needed  It is tiring
 No much skill is needed  It is time consuming
 It can be used on small fields or plots
 Promotes selective harvesting

Mechanical  Requires less labour  Requires use of machinery

 The work can be done in much less time  Special skills are needed to operate machinery
 Machines are too big to be used on small fields
or plot
 Machines cannot harvest selectively.
 Crop quality is affected negatively

MARKERTING OF FIELD CROPS

MARKETING- It is a process involving selling produce and their transportation to where they will
be sold. Agricultural products can be sold to: the public, marketing boards eg BAMB, marketing
or manufacturing or processing companies. E.g. Milling companies

1.3.3.2.10

DETERMINING THE MARKERT PRICES FOR LEGUME AND CEREAL CROPS

The price at which one sells his or her crops is influenced by a number of factors:
 Input costs e.g. Labour costs, fertilizer cost, pesticide cost etc
 The quality of the crops: good quality grain will fetch more than poor ones.
 How much of the crop is available in the market: If there is a short supply of rice, for
instance, its price will go up.
 The demand of the crop: When many people want to buy sorghum, for instance, the
chances are that its price will go up if the supply is low.
 The cost of transporting and storing the produce before selling it : The fuel, spare parts,
maintenance costs, and storage facilities cost money and are built into the price.
 The form in which they are marketed: If processed, crops become more expensive than
if they are not.

1.3.3.2.11-1.3.3.2.13

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CROP STORAGE PESTS AND THE DAMAGE THEY CAUSE & METHODS USED TO TREAT OR
PROTECT STORED SEEDS FROM PEST DAMAGE

STORAGE PESTS: these are pests that attack stored grains inside the store room, ware house etc

Pest Damage caused Control measures

Weevil  Eats inside part of grains Dusting with insecticides or ash before
 Lower the produce quality by making storage
holes Keep storage structures clean
STORAGE

rats  They eat the grains Use of traps and cats

 They spoil the produce with their feaces, Use of chemical
PESTS

urine and hair Use of rats or mice guards on storage

structures
Moth  Bore holes on grains Chemical treatment

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