<h1><strong>MONOCOTYLEDONOUS AND DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS</strong></h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Classification of Crops based on Crop Plant Forms</li> <li>Monocotyledonous Crops e.g. maize, guinea corn</li> <li>Dicotyledonous Crops e.g. beans, melon</li> <li>Differences between Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons</li> </ol>   <h2><strong>Classification of Crops based on C</strong><strong>rop Plant Forms</strong></h2> A crop is any plant that has a useful purpose or economic value. Crop plants are grouped into two forms based on the structure of their seeds or the number of seed leaf it contains. Seed leaf is otherwise known as <strong>cotyledon</strong>. Food for germinating seed is stored in the cotyledon. <h2><strong>Monocotyledonous Plants</strong></h2> These are plants with one seed leaf or cotyledons e.g. oil palm, coconut, banana, plantain, pineapple, date-palm, garlic, sugar-cane, cereals e.g. wheat, millet, rice, maize, sorghum, rye, barley, oats and all grasses e.g. guinea grass, carpet grass, etc.

<h1><strong>EFFECTS OF TIMELY HARVESTING AND LATE HARVESTING</strong></h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Harvesting</li> <li>Harvesting Techniques</li> <li>Effect of Late Harvesting</li> <li>Effect of Timely Harvesting</li> </ol> <strong> </strong> <h2><strong>Meaning of Harvesting</strong></h2> Harvesting is the removal and gathering of mature crops for processing and storage. The sign of maturity differ for different crops. For crops like yam, cocoyam and ground nut, maturity is signified when most of their leaves are turn into yellow and drying. The purpose of production also affects the maturity, the stage at which the crop is to be used. For example, maize meant to be eaten fresh is generally harvested green while that meant for storage is harvested dried. <h2><strong>Harvesting Techniques</strong></h2> The following are techniques used in harvesting: <ol> <li>Tapping: rubber</li> <li>Cutting: cocoa pods, oil palm fruits and coconut fruits</li> <li>Digging: yam, cocoyam and potato.</li> <li>Uprooting: groundnuts and cassava</li> <li>Picking: cotton bolls.</li> </ol> <h2><strong>Effects of Late Harvesting</strong></h2> The effects of late harvesting include the following:

<h1><strong>PACKAGING AND PACKAGING CRITERIA</strong></h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Packaging</li> <li>Purpose of Packaging</li> <li>Advantages and Disadvantages of Packaging</li> <li>Packaging Criteria</li> <li>Examples of Packaging Items</li> </ol>   <h2><strong>Meaning of Packaging </strong></h2> Packaging is a system whereby goods are packed, wrapped or put inside containers, weighed and priced before they are arranged on the shelves in a store. This is the practice of putting agricultural produce in small containers. Packaging is one of marketing activities especially channels of distribution. Packing prevents wastage, pests’ infestation and contamination. <h2><strong>Purpose of Packaging </strong></h2> The role of packaging in the marketing of agricultural produce has become quite significant as it is one of the ways companies make consumers notice their products. Common uses of packaging include:

<h1><strong>ANNUAL, BIENNIAL AND PERENNIAL CROPS</strong></h1> CONTENT Classification of Crops based on Life Span; <ol> <li>Annual Crops (e.g. maize, yam, etc.)</li> <li>Biennial Crops (e.g. ginger, pineapple, cassava, etc)</li> <li>Perennial Crops (e.g cocoa, mango, etc.)</li> </ol>   <h2><strong>Classification of Crops based on Life Span</strong></h2> Crops complete their processes of growth at different lengths of time. Hence, crops can be classified as follows - annual, biennial and perennial. <h2><strong>Annual Crops</strong></h2> Annual crops are crops which complete their life cycle (length of life) within one year or in one growing season. These crops grow into maturity, flower, produce seeds and eventually die within one year. Examples are maize, rice, sorghum, soya-beans, guinea corn, cowpea, sweet potato, cotton, tomato, yam, etc.