Land Preparation [PDF]

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LAND PREPARATION Importance secondary cultivation Break large clods to reasonable tilth Allow easy planting To level the field in order to achieve a uniform depth at planting Kill weeds Mix up organic matter in the soil Improve soil aeration Factors determining the number of times secondary cultivations should be done include: 



Condition of the soil after primary cultivation



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Size of planting material



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Slope of the land



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The moisture content of the soil



Primary and secondary cultivation



What are the reasons for carrying out primary and secondary cultivation?



Reasons for for carrying out primary and secondary cultivation 



Kill weeds



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Decompose weeds into organic matter



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Allow enough time for carbon dioxide and other gases to diffuse out of the soil while being replaced by oxygen which is important for germination and growth of soil organism.



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Break the soil into appropriate tilth for the required seed bed



TERTIARY OPERATIONS Minimum Tillage This is the application that combines all farming practices aimed at least disturbance of the soil. The operations include: Application of herbicides Use of mulch on the soil surface Restricting cultivation to the area where seed are to be planted Establishing cover crop on the field Uprooting or slashing weeds in perennial crops. Mowing weeds during minimum tillage



Mowing land for planting Reasons for carrying out minimum tillage



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To prevent exposure of humus to adverse conditions such as the suns heat that cause volatilisation of nitrogen



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To maintain soil structure



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To control soil erosion



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To conserve moisture



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Prevent disturbance of roots



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Reduce cost of operations



Mulching for minimum tillage



Mulch for soil conservation Tertiary operations These are operations carried out to suit the preparation of given seedbed used when producing certain crops.Examples of such operations include:



Ridging



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Rolling



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Levelling



See the movie and discuss activities in the operation