CXC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (SINGLE AWARD)

SECTION B: CROP PRODUCTION

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

WHAT IS A VEGETABLE?

A vegetable can be described as a herb whose fruit, shoots, leaves, roots or other parts are used for
food. Most vegetables are consumed in their raw or semi-cooked states. Others like pumpkin and
squash must be thoroughly cooked before eating.

Vegetables can be divided into the following categories:

A. Leafy – cabbage, lettuce, patchoi (chinese cabbage), celery;

B. Fruit Type – tomato, melongene, sweet pepper, hot pepper;

C. Seeds – legumes;

D. Stems, buds, flowers – cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus

E. Bulbs, roots, tubers – onion, carrot, cassava, yam.

Vegetables provide, in a great part, a significant proportion of vitamins and minerals that we
consume.

CULTIVATION OF A LEAFY VEGETABLE, e.g. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Lettuce is eaten raw as a salad and in sandwiches. It contains vitamins A and C and has high levels
of calcium.

Crop Varieties

1. Iceberg
2. Empire
3. Trinity
4. Bronze Mignonette
5. Green Mignonette
6. Big Boston

Land Preparation

Soil is prepared to a fine tilth. A mixed fertilizer (22:11:11) is incorporated at land preparation.
Box drains are dug and raised flat-topped or cambered beds 1m wide and 4m long are made. A
soil pesticide mixture containing 10 ml diazinon (soil insecticide) and 30 ml Tri Miltox (fungicide)
in 4.5 l of water is applied. Nemagon or Vidate L can be applied to control root-knot nematodes.
Planting Material

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 CXC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (SINGLE AWARD)

Hardened seedlings about 3 weeks old that are 5 – 7cm tall are ready for transplanting.

Planting and Spacing

Transplant seedlings 25cm apart in the row and 25cm between rows.

Watering

Regular watering and mulching is essential in the dry season as lettuce has a very shallow root
system and water shortage can seriously affect its growth.

Fertilizer Application

A week after planting 10g of sulphate of ammonia is added to each plant as a surface dressing. A
further application of 15g per plant is made after two weeks. Dissolve 10g of Nutrex (20:20:20) in
4.5 l of water and apply as a foliar spray once a week.

Weed Control

Weeds are uprooted as they appear by hand picking. Light tillage help to aerate the soil and control
weeds

Pest and Disease Control

Leaf attack aphids and caterpillars are controlled by an insecticide, e.g. Pestac (5ml in 4.5l of
water).

Fungal attack is controlled by use of a fungicide, e.g. Champion (30g in 4.5l of water)

Harvesting

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Lettuce is ready for harvesting in 4 to 6 weeks after planting. The plants are carefully uprooted
and the roots removed using a sharp knife.

Post-Harvest Handling

Any dirt is washed off. Leaves that are old, blotchy or diseased are removed. They are then place
in large trays or baskets with their cut stems facing upwards. They are stored in a cool area and
sprayed with cold water to maintain freshness.

Marketing

Grade heads according to size, package in clear polythene bags for wholesale or retail.

CULTIVATION OF A FLOWER VEGETABLE, e.g. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea)

Cauliflower is grown for its white, tender head formed by the shortened and thickened parts of the
flowers called curds. The curds are commonly utilized as salad, either alone or in combination
with others and in the preparation of pickles. In addition, the curds can be fried or curried
depending on the type of food being prepared. The young leaves are sometimes included in the
preparation of vegetable stews. It contains some minerals and vitamins.

Varieties

1. White Barron
2. Olympic
3. White Contessa
4. Kono 45
5. Early Market
6. Snow 55
7. Early Patna

Land Preparation

The land should be well prepared before the seedlings are set in the field. The field should be
plowed as many times as necessary, each followed by harrowing until a fine filth is obtained. Box
drains are dug and raised flat-topped or cambered beds 1m wide and 4m long are made. A soil
pesticide mixture containing 10 ml diazinon (soil insecticide) and 30 ml Tri Miltox (fungicide) in
4.5 l of water is applied. Nemagon or Vidate L can be applied to control root-knot nematodes. The
soils pH should be neutral or slightly alkaline (6.5 – 7.0). Lime if necessary.

Planting Material

Hardened seedling about 3-4 weeks old with 5-6 leaves are transplanted. Immediately before
transplanting, water well to ensure soil sticks to the roots. Transplant in late afternoon to reduce
transplanting shock and apply sufficient water to each seedling immediately after transplanting.
Planting and Spacing

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 CXC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (SINGLE AWARD)

Transplant seedlings 50-60 cm apart in the rows and 60 cm between rows.

Fertilizer Application

Ideally cauliflowers shown be grown as part of a crop rotation and would follow a legume crop.
NPK (20:20:20) used alternatively with urea for 6-8 weeks after planting, followed by NPK
(13:13:21) or Blau Korn (12:12:17:2) for the development of the heads (flowers).

Watering

Cauliflower is a cool weather crop. Heat tolerant varieties can be grown in the tropical lowlands.
Nevertheless, the highest yields and the largest heads will be obtained in cooler upland areas, and
during the cooler season (December through March). There must be ample water available either
as rain or from irrigation. Severe water stress will cause the crop to fail. Mulching is essential in
the dry season.

Weed Control

Weeds must be controlled to ensure good yields. Round up weedicide can be used during land
preparation. In addition, hand weeding should be practiced.

Pest Control

The most common insect pests of cauliflower are aphids, caterpillars, cutworms, cauliflower
worm, diamondback moth, and root grub. For the control of aphids, caterpillars, cutworms,
cauliflower worms and diamond-back moth, spray the plants with an insecticide, e.g. Pestac (5ml
in 4.5l of water).

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Root grub can be controlled by treating the soil with a soil insecticide, e.g. Alder 2 at the rate of
10 ml in 4.5l of water.

Diseases Control

Cauliflower, like any other vegetable, is subject to the attack of plant diseases. The most common
diseases are club root, soft rot, bacterial leaf spot, downy mildew and root knot of vegetables. The
first it can be controlled by sterilizing the soil with mercuric bichloride or formalin (1:1000) and/or
lime application in the soil. Bacterial leaf spot and downy mildew may be greatly minimized by
foliar sprays with copper fungicides at the rate of 3 to 5 tbsp. per 5 gallons of water at 7 to 10 day
intervals.

Generally, crop rotation, use of well-drained soils, good management practices and avoiding heavy
seeding in the seedbeds help prevent the occurrence of plant diseases.

Blanching

A perfect cauliflower head is pure white, but to achieve this, bright sunlight must be excluded.
This whiteness of curd can be obtained by blanching. While the heads are still small, the outer
leaves are brought up over the head and fastened together with twine for a period of two to three
days. The outer leaves fastened together should be opened after three days as prolonged blanching
may result in discoloration of the curd.

Harvesting

The curds should be harvested as soon as they reach the proper size and before discoloration
begins. Heads are ready for harvesting 14-16 weeks after planting. Since the curds mature rather
fast and sometimes irregularly, harvesting should be done frequently and regularly using sharp
knives preferably in the morning. The head or curd should be cut with one or two circles of outer
leaves to protect the curd from bruises and damage. The curds are packed with the outer leaves
untrimmed in trays or baskets.

Post-Harvest Handling

Trim the outer leaves but leave those immediately around the curd. Place in trays or baskets and
store in a cool place.

Marketing

Grade heads according to size and place in clear polythene bags for wholesale or retail.

CULTIVATION OF A FRUIT VEGETABLE, e.g. Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum)

The tomato is native to tropical Central and South America. The fruit is used fresh or in the
processed state. It is grown all year round. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Recently tomatoes have been linked to the prevention of prostate cancer in men.

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 CXC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (SINGLE AWARD)

Varieties
1. Dry season – Manalucie, Red-rock, Oxheart, and Moneymaker.
2. Wet season – Indian River, Floralou, Floradel, and Local dwarf types.

Land Preparation

Soil is prepared to a fine or medium tilth. Box drains are dug and raised flat-topped or cambered
beds 1m wide and 4m long are made. Incorporate pen manure or artificial fertilizers into the soil.
A soil pesticide mixture containing 10 ml diazinon (soil insecticide) and 30 ml Tri Miltox
(fungicide) in 4.5 l of water is applied. Nemagon or Vidate L can be applied to control root-knot
nematodes.

Planting Material

Hardened seedlings about 3-4 weeks old are transplanted. They should be about 20 cm tall.

Planting and Spacing

Transplanting in the late afternoon as this reduces the stress on the plants. Transplant seedlings 38
cm apart in the rows and 60 cm between rows.

Weed Control

In the early stages, control weeds by hand weeding or hoeing. In later stages, weed out
approximately 15 cm around plants and spray with gramoxone or reglone to control remaining
weeds. Use a shield to prevent damage to the plants.

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 CXC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (SINGLE AWARD)

Pruning

Pruning is optional to the farmer. If it is carried out, whereby only one or two stems are allowed
to develop, yields are reduced, but fruit size increases.

Fertilizer Application

• At planting time and six (6) weeks later, apply a liquid nitrogenous fertilizer.
• When the second flowering appears, apply a mixed fertilizer (13:13:21) at the rate of 28g
per plant.
• Give a similar application every 21 days.

Staking

Staking the plants reduce the loss of fruits through rotting on the ground, allows easy access into
the crop to practice pest, disease and weed control, for fertilizing and harvesting. Stakes should be
2m tall and should stand at least 30cm in the soil. Place stake 10 cm from the stem. The plants are
supported by tying them up to the stake. Use pieces of string to secure the plant to the stake. To
tie the plant the following steps should be considered:
• Tie immediately below the leaf;
• Tie loosely to allow for growth of the stem;
• Pass the string around the stake and tie it;
• Tie below every third leaf.

Pests Control

- Soil insects – mole crickets, cutworms, slugs, use diazinon in land preparation and
whenever insects appear during cultivation.

- Serpentine leaf miners – use Trigard every 7 days.

- Nematodes – attack root system of plant resulting in stunted growth of plant after
flowering. Nematodes cause knots to appear on the roots hence the disease is called root
knot nematode.
• Control – 5g of Furadan (nematicide) per hole and mixing into soil prior to
transplanting. Three (3) weeks after transplanting, a second application of
Furadan is scattered around the plant and tilled into the soil.

Diseases Control

- Fusarium wilt – fungus causing wilting of the plant. Use Kocide 101 every 10 – 14 days.
Plant resistant variety e.g. Manalucie, Manapal, Marglobe, Floradel, Ponderosa (Local
Green or White Skin).

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 CXC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (SINGLE AWARD)

- Bacterial wilt – severe wilting of the plant. Death in 2 – 3 days. No chemical control. Rogue
and burn affected plants.

- Tobacco mosaic virus – include two (2) strains: -

• Severe strain – stunting of the leaves at the tips and then stunting of the
entire plant. No chemical cure.
• Mild strain – slight yellowing of the leaves on the entire plant. No drop in
production.
VIRUS IS SPREAD BY TOBACCO: NO SMOKING NEAR PLOTS.
WASH HANDS AFTER SMOKING.

- Blossom end rot – is caused by:

• Calcium deficiency and too much Nitrogen fertilizer application
• Too much or too little water at one time.

As a result, rotting of tissue at the base of the fruit occurs with the fruit still attached to the tree.
Ensure a balanced nutrition and uniform watering to overcome problem.

- Fruit cracking – cracking of fruits occurs with an uneven application of water. Ensure more
even watering and if possible, trickle irrigation is recommended.

Harvesting and Storage

Harvesting begins 2-3 months after planting.

• For canning – fruit is picked while still green.

• For fresh fruit – pick as they begin to ripen (just as they are about to turn red). Pick
fruit by grasping the calyx and the fruit and twisting. The calyx must be intact when
the fruit is harvested. Care must be taken not to damage the flowers while picking
the fruits.

Post-Harvest Handling

Tomatoes in the green stage can be stored at 20 – 30oC. Ripe tomatoes are extremely perishable
and have a storage life of only 1-2 weeks at 7 – 10oC.

Marketing

Grade tomatoes according to size and place in clear polythene bags for wholesale or retail.

CULTIVATION OF A ROOT VEGETABLE, e.g. Yam (Dioscorea spp.)

Yams are boiled and eaten sliced or mashed, or as porridge and in soups. They can be processed
into powered form and reconstituted into ‘instant yam’. Rejected tubers can be fed to pigs. They
are a source of carbohydrates with some vitamins and minerals.

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 CXC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (SINGLE AWARD)

Varieties

1. White Lisbon
2. Yellow Lisbon
3. Chinese
4. Cush Cush

Land Preparation

Land ploughed to a depth of 30 cm and soil rotavated to a medium tilth. NPK (10:20:10) fertilizer
is broadcast at a rate of 200g per square metre (m2) and incorporated into the soil. Furadan granules
(45 g/m2) are broadcast and incorporated into the soil to control nematodes and other pests. Banks
and ridges 30-45 cm high and 90 cm apart are formed.

Planting Material

Usually small whole tubers are used or large yams can be cut into pieces about 150-200g each.
There needs to be a skin on each piece, otherwise they will not germinate. The planting material
is treated with Captan or Benlate.

Planting and Spacing

Tubers are planted to a depth of 7 cm, 30-45 cm apart in rows and 90 cm between rows. Planting
usually takes place in early May before the onset of the rainy season.

Fertilizer Application

Apply NPK (10:20:10) at a rate of 45 g per plant about 2 months after planting. Drill or place the
fertilizer beneath the soil to reduce loss of nutrients. Make three similar applications of the same
fertilizer, using 60 g per plant every two months.

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 CXC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (SINGLE AWARD)

Weed Control

After planting, apply a pre-emergent weedicide such as Gesaprim using 30 g / 4.5 l of water. Later,
weeds can be controlled by hand weeding or by the application of gramoxone (60ml / 4.5l of water)
with a spray shield between rows.

Pest Control

For caterpillars and leaf-eating pest, use an insecticide such as Decis (10 ml / 4.5 l of water).
Nematodes can be controlled using Furadan granules at land preparation and Vydate L (10 ml /
4.5 l of water) can be used 4-6 months after planting.

Disease Control

Fungal leaf spots can be controlled using Kocide 101 or Tri Miltox (30 g / 4.5 l of water).

Staking

Staking is done on yams to increase the leaf exposure for photosynthesis so that crop yield is
improved. Stake the yam vines when they are 1m tall.

Harvesting

Yams are ready to harvest 9-12 months after planting when large scale yellowing sets in. The
tubers are carefully dug out using a straight cutlass or luchette without damaging or bruising the
yams.

Post-Harvest Handling

Do not wash the yams. Any cut or damaged surfaces of the tubers is pasted with ground limestone
or wood ash. Store the yams in a cool and well ventilated room.

Marketing

The tubers are graded for wholesaling and retailing.

QUESTION
Compare the cultivating practices (similarities and differences) of a leaf, root, fruit and flower
vegetable crops under the following headings:
a) Land preparation
b) Fertilizer application
c) Harvesting
d) Post-harvest handling

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 CXC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (SINGLE AWARD)

Item Leaf Flower Fruit Root

Land
Preparation

Fertilizer
Application

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 CXC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (SINGLE AWARD)

Harvesting

Item Leaf Flower Fruit Root

Post-harvest

Handling

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