CROP SCIENCE 122 Practices of Crop Production

Exercise No. 1 Site Selection for Crops

Name: Paul Andrey Dichoson Section: BSA 1b

Week no. 1 Date:04/01/24

INTRODUCTION:

Site selection is the first step in starting a farm when the crop to be grown has already been
decided. It includes the selection of the right geographical location. Even without a predetermined
location and site of a farm, the crop to be grown can be decided based mainly on its marketability and
profitability.

Identification of proper location and site is a major consideration in the success of crop
production. Location refers to the geographical position or place where the crop is located or planted in
relation to a city, town, or other points of designation while site refers to the immediate place where a
given crop is produced.

Proper selection of a site greatly affects the growth and productivity of crops. The potential yield
of a crop is best achieved under favorable environmental conditions with a minimum production cost.
For instance, the frequency of typhoons and the possible occurrence of other calamities like floods and
drought are always considered in both location and site selection because they can cause severe loss in
investment or on total crop failure. In particular, some crops like bananas are prone to injury due to
strong winds.

The factors considered in selecting a suitable location and site for a crop production enterprise
include the climatic requirements of the crop, topography, soil, accessibility, water supply, storage
facilities and some socio-cultural and economic considerations. Knowing what you want before actually
starting a farm will save the trouble of feeling frustrated because of error in either crop or site selection.

There are two possible cases in establishing a crop production farm. First, the crop to be grown has
been decided but a suitable farm has yet to be found. Second, the farm is already available and the most
suitable crops will be identified. For this laboratory exercise, the latter will be followed.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the exercise, the students should be able to:

1. characterize a given area according to bio-physical and socio-economic considerations;

2. state the climatic soil, and socio-economic requirements of some crops;

3. assess the suitability of a given crop to a particular area; and,

4. recommend modifications or improvements in the area, if needed, based on the requirements of the
crop.
PROCEDURE:

1. Evaluate your farm/backyard garden or farm near you by filling up the second column of Table 1a
(Site evaluation sheet) using information obtained through steps 2-4 below. Take a selfie/photo of
yourself while doing the activity. Insert the documentation in the last part of this document.

2. Get the climatic data from the website of the PAGASA weather station in your locality. Summarize the
climatic data and write these in the appropriate box under the column Site Description/Characteristic.

3. Get the data online for soil physical properties. If the data is not available online, you will do the “Feel
and Roll” method to determine the soil texture in your area. Write these in the appropriate box under
the column Site Characteristic.

4. Based on observation and research, briefly describe the site as topography, accessibility, socio-
economic condition, and facilities, and other amenities. Write your description in the appropriate box
under the column Site Characteristic.

RESULTS/OBSERVATIONS

Table 1a. Site evaluation sheet

Previous Crops Corn, banana

Existing Crops Corn,
Location Brgy. Moto Purok 3 San Dionisio Iloilo
Factor Site description Assessment/ recommendation

1. Climate Dry Season It is normal to have a dry

season as summer approaches
and we are also experiencing
the El Niño phenomenon.
a. rainfall Very minimal to no rainfall The very minimal amount of
rainfall is due to the El Niño
and the summer season. When
planting crops proper watering
and irrigation must be
observed.
2. Soil Sandy loam The soil is ideal for planting of
corn and various crops
provided that we supply it with
adequate nutrients. And due to
planting of corn the organic
matter in the soil is lacking.
2. Soil Sandy loam The soil is ideal for planting of
corn and various crops provided
that we supply it with adequate
nutrients. And due to planting
of corn the organic matter in
the soil is lacking.
2. Soil Sandy loam The soil is ideal for planting of
corn and various crops provided
that we supply it with adequate
nutrients. And due to planting
of corn the organic matter in
the soil is lacking.
2. Soil Sandy loam The soil is ideal for planting of
corn and various crops provided
that we supply it with adequate
nutrients. And due to planting
of corn the organic matter in
the soil is lacking.
2. Soil Sandy loam The soil is ideal for planting of
corn and various crops provided
that we supply it with adequate
nutrients. And due to planting
of corn the organic matter in
the soil is lacking.
2. Soil Sandy loam The soil is ideal for planting of
corn and various crops provided
that we supply it with adequate
nutrients. And due to planting
of corn the organic matter in
the soil is lacking.
2. Soil Sandy loam The soil is ideal for planting of
corn and various crops provided
that we supply it with adequate
nutrients. And due to planting
of corn the organic matter in
the soil is lacking.
 CROP SCIENCE 122 Practices of Crop Production

Exercise No. 2 Land Preparation

Name: Paul Andrey Dichoson Section: BSA 1B

Week no. 1 Date:04/01/24

INTRODUCTION:

When establishing a new date plantation, certain actions need to be implemented to ensure the
long term success of the plantation. One of these actions involve the initial land preparation which
should be done prior to transplanting of the plant material (offshoots or tissue culture-derived plants).

The purpose of land preparation is to provide the necessary soil conditions which will enhance
the successful establishment of the young offshoots or the tissue culture plants received from the
nursery. Considering the nature of the date palm, one cannot "save" on this operation and hope for long
term sustainability of the plantation.

The aim is to enable the date grower to plan and structure the implementation process in
advance, ensuring the successful establishment of the date plantation. Planning forms part of the initial
preparation and will help to limiting unnecessary stoppages during the implementation phase. Land
preparation is important to ensure that the field is ready for planting. A well-prepared field controls
weeds, recycles plant nutrients, and provides a soft soil mass for transplanting and a suitable soil surface
for direct seeding.

Land preparation covers a wide range of practices from zero-tillage or minimum tillage which
minimizes soil disturbance through to a totally 'puddled' soil which actually destroys soil structure.

It typically involves (1) plowing to "till" or dig-up, mix, and overturn the soil; (2) harrowing to
break the soil clods into smaller mass and incorporate plant residue, and (3) leveling the field.

Initial land preparation begins after your last harvest or during fallow period. This is important
for effective weed control and for enriching the soil. Generally, it will take 3−4 weeks to prepare the
field before planting.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the exercise, the students should be able to:

•Describe a well-prepared lowland field suitable for planting solanaceous crops

•Determine the proper time for tilling the soil and benefits thereof

•Discuss methods of growing solanaceous crops

PROCEDURE:

1. spr
RESULTS/OBSERVATIONS

Land preparation is important to ensure that the field is ready for planting solanaceous crops. A
well-prepared field controls weeds, recycles plant nutrients, and provides a soft soil mass for
transplanting and a suitable soil surface for direct seeding. Land preparation covers a wide range of
practices from zero-tillage or minimum tillage.

A well-prepared field for planting solanaceous crops is that the land is properly tilled the land is
pulverized it should properly plot and a proper drainage should be made for draining excess water as
well as retaining water. The application of organic fertilizer on the soil media is encourage for the proper
development of the solanaceous crops.

Planting solanaceous plants procedure are as follows: prepare your seedling tray and soil potting
medium before seed sowing. Insert 1 seed per hole. Seeds will start to germinate about 4 days after
sowing. Transplant seedling after 21-25 days after sowing or when the 4th true leaves appear. Planting
distance between rows is 70 cm and 60 cm between plants. Do not transplant too late because old
seedlings may cause dropping of the first flower and lead to poor fruit setting or small sized fruit.
Fertilizer application, 1 week after transplanting. Fruits can be harvested 60-70 days after transplanting
or when the fruits become red in color for tomatoes, dark green or red for sweet pepper, for eggplants,
flowering is expected 40-45 days after transplanting, 2 weeks after flowering, fruits are ready for
harvest.