Agricultural Science (All Classes)

Planting materials are either planted directly in a seedbed or indirectly through a nursery bed. A seedbed is a piece of land which could be small or large and prepared… Read More »BEST NURSERY PRACTICES

Seed rate is the amount of seeds to be planted in a given unit area governed by ultimate crop stand which is desired. The objective of correct spacing of crop… Read More »SEED RATE – WELL EXPLAINED

It is the distance of plants between and within the rows. Correct spacing for each crop has been established as shown in table below. Crop Maize (Kitale) hybrids spacing 75-90… Read More »CROP SPACING – WELL DETAILED

Time of planting or sowing is influenced by the type of crop to be planted and the environmental conditions of the area. Factors to consider in timing planting.b The rainfall… Read More »TIME OF PLANTING – WELL EXPLAINED

After the planting materials are selected they are prepared in different ways before they are planted. Some of the methods used to prepare planting materials include the following: Breaking the… Read More »PREPARATION OF PLANTING MATERIALS

When selecting materials for planting the following factors must be considered: Suitability to the ecological conditions The selected planting materials should be well adapted to the soil conditions, temperatures and… Read More »SELECTION OF PLANTING MATERIALS

Temperature: for the cuttings to produce roots warm temperatures are required around the root zone while cool temperatures are important for the aerial part of the cuttings. For most species optimum… Read More »FACTORS AFFECTING ROOTING OF CUTTINGS

These are plant parts which have the ability to produce roots, they grow and develop in to new plants. Plant parts such as leaves, roots or stems can be used… Read More »VEGETATIVE MATERIALS

Refers to obtaining of small quantity of soil that is representative in all aspects of the entire farm. Soil Sampling Procedures Clear the vegetation over the site. Dig out soil… Read More »SOIL SAMPLING – PROCEDURES, METHODS, SOIL pH

Broadcasting – random scattering of the fertilizers on the ground. Placement method– application of fertilizers in the planting holes. Side dressing – fertilizer is placed at the side of the plant… Read More »METHODS OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION

Characteristics Nitrogenous Fertilizers Highly soluble in water. Highly mobile in the soil hence it is applied as a top dress. Easily leached because of the high solubility hence does not… Read More »PROPERTIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF FERTILIZERS

Also referred to as trace or minor nutrients. They are required in small quantities/traces. They are essential for proper growth and development of plants. They include; Iron, Manganese, Copper Boron,… Read More »MICRO NUTRIENTS

Plant nutrients occur in the soil in form of soluble substances. These substances are taken in by the plants in different quantities depending on their roles in the plant tissues.… Read More »MACRO NUTRIENTS

Introduction A vegetable is any crop that is grown and eaten fresh. Vegetables are important both for nutritional and commercial reasons. They are categorized on the basis of the part… Read More »VEGETABLES

Animals are fed for the purpose of production and body maintenance. The edible material given to animals is called food. It is digested, absorbed and utilized in the body. Nutrients… Read More »LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION (NUTRITION)