CROP PRODUCTION

Question 1

What is crop production?

Answer 1

Growing plants on a large scale for food, feed, fibre, medicine, industry, or ornamentals

Question 2

How are crops classified based on use?

Answer 2

Cereals – Maize, rice, wheat.
Vegetables – Tomato, onion, cabbage.
Roots & Tubers – Cassava, yam.
Fruits – Mango, pineapple.
Legumes – Groundnut, cowpea.
Beverages – Cocoa, coffee.
Industrial – Cotton, tobacco.
Oil Crops – Oil palm, coconut.
Ornamental – Roses, sunflower.
Fibre Crops – Cotton.

Question 3

What are the four crop growth types?

Answer 3

1. Annual – Grow & die in 1 year.
2. Biennial – Grow in 2 years.
3. Perennial – Live for 3-5 years.
4. Permanent – Live for 10-30 years.

Question 4

What are 5 major uses of crops?

Answer 4

1. Food – Maize, yam.
2. Feed – Grass, grains.
3. Raw materials – Cocoa (chocolate), cotton (cloth).
4. Medicine – Herbal drugs.
5. Ornament & Shelter – Flowers, trees.

Question 5

What are key principles in crop production?

Answer 5

1. Select good varieties.
2. Choose the right site.
3. Use proper planting methods.
4. Follow good farming practices.
5. Control pests & diseases.
6. Harvest, process, store, and market properly.

Question 6

Why is soil tillage important?

Answer 6

1. Improves soil aeration.
2. Increases water absorption.
3. Helps root penetration.
4. Mixes fertilizers into soil.
5. Reduces pests & weeds.

Question 7

What are two methods of plant propagation?

Answer 7

1. Sexual – Seeds.
2. Asexual – Cuttings, grafting, etc.

Question 8

What are 3 qualities of good seeds?

Answer 8

1. High germination rate.
2. Free from pests & diseases.
3. Uniform size & shape.

Question 9

What is soil tillage?

Answer 9

The process of preparing land for planting by loosening and turning the soil.

Question 10

What is the difference between planting and sowing?

Answer 10

• Planting – Placing seeds in holes before covering (e.g., maize, beans).
• Sowing – Scattering seeds on soil before covering (e.g., rice, tomatoes).

Question 11

What factors determine planting time?

Answer 11

1. Rainfall & temperature
2. Maturity period
3. Day length
4. Pests & diseases

Question 12

Why is proper spacing important?

Answer 12

1. Reduces competition (nutrients, water, light).
2. Improves air circulation (reduces disease).
3. Enhances sunlight absorption (better growth).
4. Controls disease spread (prevents overcrowding).

Question 13

What is hardening-off?

Answer 13

Exposing seedlings to harsh conditions before transplanting.

Question 14

Why is hardening-off important?

Answer 14

1. Strengthens seedlings
2. Helps them store food for root growth

Question 15

What is transplanting?

Answer 15

Moving seedlings from nursery to the field.

Question 16

What are the two types of vegetative propagation?

Answer 16

1. Natural – Uses tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, corms, suckers.
2. Artificial – Uses grafting, budding, layering, cutting, tissue culture.

Question 17

What is tissue culture?

Answer 17

Growing plants in a lab using cells or tissues.

Question 18

Why is tissue culture important?

Answer 18

1. Produces disease-free plants
2. Ensures high-quality produce
3. Multiplies plants quickly
4. Grows plants without seeds

Question 19

What are key post-planting activities?

Answer 19

1. Irrigation – Artificial watering of plants.
2. Mulching – Covering soil to retain moisture.
3. Thinning-Out – Removing extra seedlings to prevent overcrowding.

Question 20

Why is irrigation important?

Answer 20

1. Maintains soil moisture
2. Prevents wilting
3. Regulates soil temperature

Question 21

What are the benefits of mulching?

Answer 21

1. Conserves moisture
2. Controls soil erosion
3. Suppresses weeds

Question 22

Why is thinning-out necessary?

Answer 22

1. Reduces competition (water, nutrients).
2. Improves root shape (e.g., carrots).
3. Prevents disease spread (better air circulation).

Question 23

What is Mulching?

Answer 23

Mulching is covering the soil to keep moisture, prevent weeds, and protect plants.