Pre-planting Operations

What are Pre-planting Operations?

Pre-planting Operations are all the activities carried out on the farm before planting. These operations include the following:

1. Selection of Site:

The type of crop production will determine the site to be selected. Most crops require well-drained fertile soil to do well. A field with a fairly level topographyTopography can be defined as the study of the shape and features of land surfaces. The topography of an area refers to the surface shapes and features on the ground and... More is suitable for plant growth.

The availability of water, accessibility to roads and markets, and nearness to home, office, etc., are also important factors. Fertile loamy soil is the most ideal type of soil in most cases.

2. Land Surveying and Measurement:

This deals with the measurement of the land in order to determine its area, it also determines the suitability of the land for crop production.

3. Clearing of Land:

This is the removal of vegetation, or plant materials, growing on the land. It can be done by slashing the bush, and setting the debris on fire, or can be also done by the use of bulldozers to clear the land.

Burning can be used to get rid of pests in a severe infestation.

4. Stumping:

This is the removal of root stumps after bush clearing. This operation is essential for tillage equipment to be used on the land. Stumping can be done by the use of a mattock, machete, axe, or cutlass, or by the use of a bulldozer. 

5. Plotting:

This is the marking out of the farmland into plots with the use of string, ranging poles, rope, measuring tapes, and pegs. The factors to be considered in plotting are;

a. The topography of the land.
b. The soil type and nutrient status.
c. The location of farm roads and paths.
d. Soil and water conservation practices.

6. Tillage:

This is the mechanical manipulation of the soil, to provide a suitable medium for plant growth. This operation can be carried out manually by using hoes, or mechanically by using ploughs, harrows, and ridgers.

Tilling the soil helps to improve soil aerationSoil aeration is the mechanism of exchange of gases between the atmosphere and soil. It involves perforating the land with small holes for air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass... More and water percolationPercolation is the downward movement of water through soil layers due to gravity and capillary forces. More. It helps in better root penetration.

Tillage involves ploughing, harrowing, and ridging.

a. Ploughing:

This is a primary tillage operation, that requires the use of ploughs to cut the soil into large clods or crumbs.

This operation helps to bury weeds in the soil, allows aeration in the soil, and provides a suitable medium for microorganismsMicrobes are organisms that are too small to be seen without using a microscope. They include organisms like bacteria, archaea, and single-cell eukaryotes (organisms whose cells have a nucleus e.g. amoeba... More living in the soil.

Ploughing is the first operation in tillage and is quickly followed by harrowing.

b. Harrowing:

This is the breaking down of large soil clods or crumbs formed during ploughing, to obtain fine soil filth.

The disc harrow is the implement used in harrowing. It helps to pulverizereduce to fine particles. More the soil for planting.

Harrowing is a secondary tillage operation, it is done after ploughing.

c. Ridging:

This is the gathering and pulling up of harrowed soil together, to form ridges. Ridges can be done manually by using a hoe, spade, or shovel. It can also be done mechanically by using a disc ridger or mouldboard ridger to make ridges.

Ridging helps increase soil depth for root penetration. This operation is good for the production of roots and tubers such as yam, cassava, potatoes, and cocoyam. It is also essential for deep-rooted crops like cotton, watermelon and tomato.

7.  Seed Selection:

This is the act of choosing and selecting good-quality seeds, seedlingsA seedling is a young plant that has been grown from a seed. More and other vegetative materials with a high germination ratio or potential.

Seeds and other materials selected for planting must be free from diseases, insect eggs, infected spores, and rot. The farmer needs a level of knowledge in order to select the best seeds for planting.

How to Test for Viable Seeds:

8. Nursery and Nursery Practice:

A nursery is a conducive place, where tender crops are temporarily raised, under intensive management, before they are transplanted to their permanent site. Crops with tiny seeds and those that require proper care, at the early stage, need nursery practices.

Examples are, vegetables, citrus, cocoa and swam rice. A nursery is done for the following reasons:

• To raise plants under intensive care.
• To promote root growth.
• To raise a disease-free crop.
• To improve crop yields.