Agricultural Science Lesson Notes

Home » Agricultural Science Lesson Notes » Page 13

Agro-forestry Practices in Nigeria

<h1>AGRO-FORESTRY PRACTICES IN NIGERIA</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Agro-forest Practices</li> <li>Agro-Forest Practices</li> <li>Taungya System</li> <li>Alley Cropping</li> <li>Forest Reserves</li> <li>Wildlife Conservation</li> </ol>   <h2>Meaning of Agro-forest Practices</h2> Agro-forest is the practice of combining agriculture with forestry for the sustenance of trees, fertility of the soil and production of abundant food crops to meet the needs of man. This account for about 70 percent of agricultural production for farmers living in forest zones.   <h2>Agro-Forest Practices</h2> <h3>Taungya System</h3> Taungya is a system of combining crop husbandry with forest management on the same piece of land, thereby integrating agriculture with forestry. Food crops are cultivated along with economic trees to provide shade at the initial stage of growth of the economic trees. The food crops are usually annual or biennial crops. Seedlings or seeds of economic trees are given to local farmers who have interest on taungya system to plant along with their own crops. After about two years they vacate the land while the forestry department takes over the management of the trees.   <h4>Examples of Trees Used in Agro-forestry</h4> <ul> <li>Parkia biblobasa (Ukpaka - locust beans)</li> <li>Irvingia spp (Ogbono)</li> <li>Adansonia digitata (Baobab)</li> <li>Tectona grandis (Teak)</li> <li>Vitelleria paradosa (Shear butter)</li> <li>Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple)</li> <li>Blighia sapida (Ishin)</li> <li>Gmelina spp</li> <li>Flame of the forest</li> <li>Pinus spp</li> <li>Iroko</li>

Rangeland Management

<h1>RANGELAND MANAGEMENT</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Rangeland/Pasture</li> <li>Importance of Rangeland/Pasture</li> <li>Characteristics of Rangeland</li> <li>Common Grasses of Livestock in Rangeland</li> <li>Factors Affecting the Level of Production of Herbage</li> <li>Methods of Rangeland and Pasture Improvement</li> </ol> <h2>Meaning of Rangeland/Pasture</h2> The term <em>rangeland</em> is used to describe a predominantly herbaceous plants community. It affords extensive grazing pasture for animals like cattle, sheep and goats. <h2>Definition of Rangeland</h2> Rangeland can be defined as an extensive area of land covered by grasses, legumes with some tree, shrubs and herbs where animals (ruminants) can graze or browse freely. Rangeland is any extensive area of land that is occupied by native herbaceous or shrub vegetation which is grazed by animals. It is an expanse of land suitable for livestock to wander and graze on. <h2>Meaning of Natural Pasture</h2> This is also referred to as natural grass land or rangeland. <h2>Meaning of Artificial Pasture</h2> This is also referred to as established or sown pasture. In this pasture, grasses and legumes are deliberately planted and managed by man to be fed on by livestock. <h2>Meaning of Improved Pasture</h2> Natural pasture or range land can be improved by addition of some farming activities such as irrigation, reseeding, fertilizer application, weeding etc. so as to make it better and functional for livestock that feed on them.   <h2>Importance of Rangeland</h2> Rangeland is important for the following reasons:

Apiculture or Bee-keeping

<h1>APICULTURE OR BEEKEEPING</h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Meaning of Apiculture</li> <li>Importance of Apiculture</li> <li>Types of Bees</li> <li>Methods of Keeping Bees</li> <li>Bee Keeping Equipment</li> <li>Factors to Consider in Choosing a Site for Apiary</li> <li>Bee Products and their Uses</li> <li>Precautionary Measures in Keeping Bees</li> </ol>   <h2>Meaning of Apiculture</h2> <em>Apiculture</em> comes from two Latin words, <em>apis</em> meaning bees and <em>cultura</em> meaning cultivation. From these apiculture is the cultivation of bees. This definition however lacks substance as bees are animals not plants that cannot be cultivated but rear. Hence, apiculture can be better define as the art of rearing, breeding and managing honey bee colony in artificial hives for economic gains through the production of honey and other bee products for man’s use. For bees to produce honey, they feed majorly on nectar and pollen   <h2>Importance of Apiculture</h2> Apiculture is important for the following reasons: <ol> <li>Provision of honey: we obtain honey which serves as sweetening properties</li> <li>Source of income to the bee keepers</li> <li>Medicinal use: It is used in curing various ailments</li> <li>Source of raw materials: bye products of honey such as bee wax is used in manufacturing of candles, polish and adhesives</li> <li>Pollination: honey bees are pollinators and this is their greatest value in agriculture</li> <li>They provide employment opportunities to the bee keepers</li> <li>Bee keeping does not compete with any other agricultural crops and livestock hence; it can be practice alongside other forms of agriculture</li> <li>It requires little land space and capital</li> <li>It is a good field of study in agriculture</li> <li>The honey produced is sold in different market outlet</li> </ol>   <h2>Types of Bees</h2> There are many different species of bees most of which are solitary (<em>Apiscerana</em>) while others are social. Social bees live together in colonies and the best known is the honey bees (<em>Apismellifera</em>). The major types are indigenous and exotic bees. <img class="size-full wp-image-56527 aligncenter" src="https://classhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/types-of-bees.jpg" alt="Apiculture or Bee Keeping - Types of Bees" width="574" height="342" />

Classification of Crops based on Crop Plant Forms: Monocotyledonous and Dicotyledonous Plants

Length: 0 minutes

<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.

Effects of Weed Control on Vegetation and Soil

Length: 0 minutes

<h1><strong>EFFECTS OF WEED CONTROL METHODS ON VEGETATION AND SOIL</strong></h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Effects of Chemical Control of Weeds on Vegetation and Soil</li> <li>Effects of Bush Burning on Vegetation and Soil</li> <li>Effects of Mechanical/Physical Control of Weeds on Vegetation and Soil</li> <li>Effects of Biological Control of Weeds on Vegetation and Soil</li> <li>Adverse Effects of Weeds/Problems Posed by Weeds in Agriculture/Economic Importance of Weeds</li> </ol>   <h2><strong>Effects of Chemical Control of Weeds on Vegetation and Soil </strong></h2> The following are the effects of chemical control of weeds on vegetation and soil: <ol> <li>Herbicides can be poisonous to human beings.</li> <li>Beneficial organisms may be destroyed.</li> <li>Herbicides can pollute soil and ground water.</li> <li>Herbicides can contaminate livestock pasture thereby killing the animals that feed on them.</li> <li>Some herbicides, when used, can kill both good and unwanted plants and animals.</li>

Effects of Timely Harvesting Versus Late Harvesting

Length: 0 minutes

<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:

Packaging and Packaging Criteria

<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:

Agricultural Laws and Reforms

<h1><strong>AGRICULTURAL LAWS AND REFORMS</strong></h1> CONTENT <ol> <li>Land Tenure System in Nigeria</li> <li>Definition of Land Tenure System</li> <li>Classification of Land Tenure System</li> <li>The Land Use Decree of 1978 and its Implications</li> <li>Features of the Land Use Act (Decree) of 1978</li> <li>Aims of the Land Use Decree</li> <li>Implications of the Land Use Act</li> <li>Advantages and Disadvantages of the Land Use Decree</li> </ol>   <h2><strong>Land Tenure System in Nigeria</strong></h2> <strong>Definition of Land Tenure System</strong> Land tenure is defined as the system of land ownership or acquisition by individuals, family, community or government agencies either for temporal or permanent use. <h3><strong>Classification of Land Tenure System</strong></h3> <ol> <li>Communal land tenure</li> <li>Land tenure by inheritance</li> <li>Land tenure by purchase or freehold</li> <li>Land tenure by free gift or pledge</li> <li>Tenant at the will of government</li> <li>Leasehold land tenure system</li> </ol>   Brief explanations of the above are given below: <h4><strong>Communal Land Tenure System</strong></h4> This is the whereby land belong to the community. The head of the community decides the basis of sharing out land .Every adult especially male member of the community is allocated a piece of land. <h5><strong>Advantages of Communal Land Tenure System </strong></h5> <ol> <li>Every adult member of the community can acquire land and each person has full right to the land allocated to him</li> <li>It is cheap to acquire as no cost is involved</li> <li>It is ideal for large scale farming</li> <li>It facilitate land development</li> <li>Farmers cooperative may be easily organized</li> </ol> <h5><strong>Disadvantages of Communal Land Tenure System </strong></h5>

© [2022] Spidaworks Digital - All rights reserved.
error: Alert: Content is protected !!