DPTCI-ACPNCII

CORE 2: PLANTING CROPS

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

➢ Prepare land for planting

➢ Conduct field lay-out
➢ Dig holes
➢ Perform direct seeding
➢ Transplant seedlings

SOIL SAMPLING

The Importance of Sampling Soil

A soil test is essential to determine soil fertility levels and make good nutrient management
decisions. Appropriate nutrient application can increase yields, reduce production costs, and prevent
surface and groundwater pollution.

The main objective of soil sampling is to collect a small amount of soil sample weighing about one
half kilogram that will represent the soil in a large area.

*Since only a small amount of soil sample is used in chemical analysis and results are projected for a
large quantity of soil, the accuracy of soil testing depends largely on proper soil sampling.

Materials and Tools Used in Soil Sampling

1. Shovel or spade

2. Knife or trowel

3. Pail or plastic bags

4. Soil auger

Steps in Collecting Soil Sample for Analysis

1. Prepare the following: pail, shovel, bolo, plastic and meter stick
2. Brush away stone, rubbish, trash or grass on the surface of the land.
3. Get similar samples at random from as many as 10 sites and mix them in a container. Get a
composite soil sample of about 1 kilo to represent the soil unit area.
4. Air dry the soil samples by spreading them in old newspapers or mats under the shade or indoor.
Be sure to avoid contaminations among the samples and keep them away from dirt or foreign
matters.

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
 DPTCI-ACPNCII

Sample Map

QUARTERING / DISCARDING METHOD

1.Using clean sack or plastic sheet, spread the collected spot/core soils samples from sampling area.

2.Mix well the pulverized soil samples to become homogenous. Divide it into four parts (as if you’re
dividing a pie).

3.Discard the two opposite sides of the pie and remix again the other two remaining sides.

4.Repeat step 2 and proceed to step 3.

5.Do these until approximately 1 kilogram of soil is left; this will be your composite soil sample.

Steps after Collecting Soil Samples for Analysis

1. Air-drying

Air dry the soil samples by spreading them in old newspapers or mats under the shade or indoor.

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
 DPTCI-ACPNCII

2. Pulverizing

Pulverizing is needed to reduce (a substance) to fine particles, as by crushing or grinding, or (of a

substance) to be reduced.

3. Sieving

A sieve analysis (or gradation test) is a practice or procedure used to assess the particle size
distribution (also called gradation) of a granular material.

4. Packaging

Pack soil samples firmly in the shipping bag or container.

One kilo air-dried soil is equivalent to 3 cans of condensed milk-full of soil.

5. Labeling

Label the bags or cans properly and send them to the nearest Regional or Provincial Soils
Laboratory.

QUALIFICATION: COMPETENCY STANDARD: CODE: PAGE NO.

UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
 DPTCI-ACPNCII

SOIL TEST KIT

 The STK is a complete package of soil testing.

 It uses simple colorimetric chemical analyses in which chemical reagent are made to react with a
soil sample in a test tube to give a characteristic color depending on the amount of available
nutrients in the soil.

 The colors produced are then matched with a standard color chart which rates whether the soil is
low, medium or high in available nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium. Also determined in similar
manner is soil pH or acidity.

 The STK is cheap, quick, handy and easy to use. It does not require sophisticated laboratory
instruments and specialized training for the user.

 Soil testing can be done right in the field and results are obtained within the hour. It is, therefore,
a useful tool to farmers and extension workers who often times need immediate answer to the
question of what kind and amount of fertilizer to use for a crop grown in particular soil.

LAND PREPARATION

• The area should be elevated and easily drained.

• Sticky soil is not suitable for gardening.

Preparing a Garden Use Proper Garden Tool

1. When the soil is sticky, spading fork may do better than the hoe.

2. When the soil is stony, the best garden tool to use is the pick-mattock.

3. When the soil is sandy, spade will work well.

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
 DPTCI-ACPNCII

4. If the soil is dirty and full of weeds all over, it is necessary to remove the weeds first by cutting
with the use of sickles and scythes.

5. In preparing soil for gardening, when using hoe as an instrument for breaking the soil, the correct
technique is to hoe forward, breaking a clod one after the other.

6. As soon as the plot is finished; the soil being tilled well, this is formed into proper shape. The flat
surface on top should be as specified, the actual measurement must be 1 meter wide and not 75 cm
as the 25 cm goes to the ditch. The drainage ditch should be not more than 20 cm.

7. After the plot is formed into shaped, the grasses are removed. The size of lots for technology
agriculture student should be variable; the size should be 1m x 10-15m.

Activities in Land Preparation

1. Land clearing

Weed Slashing

Burning and spraying herbicide

2. Plowing – to "till" or dig-up, mix, and overturn the soil. May be done by hand with a traditional
hoe, by tractor or with an animal-drawn plow.

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
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3. Flooding - flood the field. Keep it submerged for at least two weeks. Let the water drain naturally
to allow volunteer seeds and weed seeds to germinate.

4. Harrowing - to break the soil clods into smaller mass and incorporate plant residue.

5. Leveling facilitates water management and weed control.

6. 6. Furrowing –a narrow groove made in the ground, especially by a plow.

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
 DPTCI-ACPNCII

7. Field layout

8. Digging of the Hole – is one of the last actions before planting takes place, but it must be
emphasized that this is not the final preparation for the planting operation itself.

TILLAGE

Tillage is the process of mechanically altering some physical characteristics of the soil for it to be ideal for
growing crops.

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
 DPTCI-ACPNCII

Forms of Tillage

(Preparatory Tillage)

◼ Primary tillage or minimum tillage

- Plow (disc plow, moldboard plow)

- Rotavator

◼ Secondary tillage or maximum tillage or farmer practice

- Harrow (disc, combed- or combed-tooth, spring tooth)

Modern Concepts of Tillage

1. Conventional Tillage

Conventional tillage practice is where farmers loosen the soil by turning it over.

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
 DPTCI-ACPNCII

2. Conservation Tillage (or minimum tillage, as it is often termed)

Defined as "the least amount possible of cultivation or soil disturbance done to prepare a suitable
seedbed.

4. Zero Tillage

Also known as No-tillage is the kind of conservation tillage, where there is no (or very little)
disruption of the topsoil.

Benefits of Preparing the Field before Planting

• Increase soil porosity and aerate the soil

• To incorporate preceding crop residues and organic manures

• To destroy weeds and hibernating pest & disease organisms

• Levels the field

CULTIVATION AND WEEDING

Cultivation - The loosening and breaking up the soil.

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
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The agricultural preparation of the soil by mechanical agitation of various types, such as digging, stirring
and over turning.

Beneficial Effects of Cultivation

1. Destruction of weeds, thus eliminating competition for light and air, and conserving moisture and
food elements.

2. Increasing soil aeration

3. Increasing the water absorbing capacity of the soil thus minimizing soil erosion.

Weeds

Weeds are plants which grows in places where they are not planted.

Methods of Controlling Weeds

Cultivation – this is the eradication of weed through the use of hoe or the plow.

Mowing or Cutting – this method is effective if done properly.

Pasturing – some weeds may be temporarily or permanently controlled by pasturing with cows, goats,
pigs, etc.

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Burning – this is the usual practice of kaingeros to clear wild mountainous areas.

Use of Chemicals – at, present chemicals are being used extensively to control weeds.

MULCHING

Mulching serves two purposes:

1. To prevent evaporation of moisture from the soil, and

2. To suppress the growth of weeds.

Kinds of mulches used:

• Organic

• Plastic mulch

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
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Advantages of Organic Mulch

• Cheap
• Easy to install
• Source of nutrients when fully decomposed
• Conserve soil moisture

Disadvantages of Organic Mulch

• Harbor insect pests and diseases
• Can not control water logging during rainy season

Advantages of Plastic Mulch

• Increase soil temperature

• Conserve soil moisture
• Control water logging at plant base
• Inhibit weed growth

Disadvantages of Plastic Mulch

• High investment cost
• Not friendly to environment

PLANTING SYSTEM

1. Square Planting

It is most easy and popular method of planting fruit plant. In this system row to row and plant to
plant distances are kept similar.

2. Rectangular

This system is similar to that of the square in its layout except for the difference that the spacing between
the rows and between the plants in a row are not equal.

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
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PLANT CROPS
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3. Quincunx or Diagonal

This system is similar to square system except one additional plat is plated in the center of each
square. The plants that are planted in the center of each square along with tall growing plants at the
corners of squares are termed as “filler” plants.

4. Triangular or Hexagonal

This system accommodates 15% more plants than square system. The plants are planted at the
corner of equilateral triangle.

The plants are planted at the corner of equilateral triangle. Thus, six trees are planted making a
hexagon.

Seventh tree is planted in the centre.

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
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5. Contour system

It is adopted in hilly areas for planting fruit plants where land is undulated and soil erosion is a
great threat.

ESTIMATION (Square System)

Plant Population:
𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
𝑛𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 =
𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

Example: Compute the plant population of 5000 sq. meters planted with tomato to a planting distance of
50cm between hills and 50cm between rows.

𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
Solution: 𝑛𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 = 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

50 𝑠𝑞. 𝑚
𝑛𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 = (0.5𝑚)(0.5𝑚)

= 20, 000 tomato plants

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
 DPTCI-ACPNCII

Methods of Planting Crops in the Farm

Two methods of planting crops:

a. direct seeding and

b. transplanting

Direct seeding is either by broadcast, hill or dibble, or by drill method. The hill and the drill
methods are alternative options in row planting.

Direct seeding or direct sowing is a method of planting in which seeds are directly planted on
the ground in the farm or any growing surface while transplanting makes use of pre-grown plants,
seedlings or vegetatively propagated clones. The term transplanting is also used to refer to the practice
of replanting an already established plant in one location and moving it elsewhere.

Example of direct seeded crops:

- Corn
- Palay
- Okra
- Raddish
- Carrots
- Sitaw
- Beans

Example of transplanted crops:

- Eggplant
- Tomato
- Palay
- Peppers

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2
 DPTCI-ACPNCII

Planting Distance of Some Crops

Solanaceous Crops

Crop Between Between Planting Population Seed req't

furrows hills distance per ha per ha
Tomato 1.5 0.50 0.75 x 0.5 26,666 200 g
Eggplant 1.5 0.75 0.75 x .075 17,778 100 g
Hot pepper 1.5 0.50 0.75 x 0.5 26,666 300 g
Sweet pepper 1.5 0.50 0.75 x 0.5 26,666 300 g

Cucurbit Crops

Table 1. Planting distance(meters) and seed requirement

Between Between Planting Pop'n Seed req't
Crop
furrows hills Distance per ha per ha
Watermelon 5.0 0.5 2.5 x 0.5 8000 400 g
Muskmelon 5.0 0.5 2.5 x 0.5 8000 400 g
Ampalaya 4.0 0.5 2.0 x 0.5 10000 3000 g
Patola 4.0 2.0 2.0 x 2.0 2500 250 g
Upo 4.0 2.0 2.0 x 2.0 2500 375g
Calabaza 4.0 2.0 2.0 x 2.0 2500 375g

Fruit trees

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UNIT OF COMPETENCY:
AGRICULTURAL CROPS CORE COMPETENCIES DPTCI-ACPNCII-
PLANT CROPS
D’ PLANNERS TRAINING CENTER INC. PRODUCTION NC II CORE2