METRIC CONVERSIONS

Units of length

The basic unit of length in the metric system is the meter (m). One meter can be divided into 10
decimeters (dm), 100 centimeters (cm) or 1000 millimeters (mm); 100 m equals to 1 hectometer (hm);
while 1000 m is 1 kilometer (km).

1 m = 10 dm = 100 cm = 1000 mm 0.1 m = 1 dm = 10 cm = 100 mm 0.01 m = 0.1 dm = 1 cm = 10 mm

0.001 m = 0.01 dm = 0.1 cm = 1 mm

1 km = 10 hm = 1000 m 0.1 km = 1 hm = 100 m 0.01 km = 0.1 hm = 10 m 0.001 km = 0.01 hm = 1 m

Units of surface

The basic unit of area in the metric system is the square meter (m), which is obtained by multiplying a
length of 1 meter by a width of 1 meter.

A square meter

Area = 1m x 1m = 1m2

1 m2 = 100 dm2 = 10 000 cm2 = 1 000 000 mm2 0.01 m2 = 1 dm2 = 100 cm2 = 10 000 mm2 0.0001 m2 =
0.01 dm2 = 1 cm2 = 100 mm2 0.000001 m2 = 0.0001 dm2 = 0.01 cm2 = 1 mm2

1 km2 = 100 ha2 = 1 000 000 m2 0.01 km2 = 1 ha2 = 10 000 m2 0.000001 km2 = 0.0001 ha2 = 1 m2

NOTE:

1 ha =100 m x 100 m = 10 000 m2

How Crops are Arranged in Row Planting

Row planting as applied in conventional horizontal farming or gardening is a system of growing crops
in linear pattern in at least one direction rather than planting without any distinct arrangement. It is
practiced in most crops whether direct seeded, transplanted or grown from vegetative planting
materials, both in monocropping and multiple cropping.

The specific advantages of row planting over broadcasting or scatter planting include the following:
(1) light absorption is maximized and, conversely, the excessive shading effect of other plants is
minimized thus favoring more efficient photosynthesis and improved crop yield; (2) wind passage
along the interrows is enhanced which increases gas exchanges and prevents excessive humidity; (3)
access through the interrows facilitates cultivation, weeding, and other farm operations including
hauling; (4) movement within the crop area is convenient and allows close inspection of individual
plants; and (5) visibility is enhanced.
Row Planting Arrangement

Row-planted crops are either arranged in equidistant single rows or in multiple rows. Planting in
single rows is most common in monocropping or sole cropping, the growing of a single crop.

Multiple Row Planting Arrangement

Multiple row planting is a system of growing crops in blocks or strips of 2 or more rows. The adjacent
blocks are separated by a space which may remain vacant or planted to other crops. This planting
arrangement is common in multiple cropping in which two or more crops are grown in the same piece
of land. It is also employed in monocropping where an alley wide enough to facilitate passage is
needed.

Spatial Arrangement in Intercropping

Spatial arrangement is the systematic apportioning of the farm area or any growing surface for crop
production. In multiple cropping by intercropping, the intercrop can be planted in any of the following
ways: (1) within the rows of the maincrop, (2) between the rows of the maincrop, and (3) in
replacement series

Methods of Planting Crops in the Farm

In general, there are two methods of planting crops: direct seeding and transplanting. Direct seeding
is either by broadcast, hill or dibble, or by drill method. The hill and the drill methods are alternative
options in row planting.

Direct seeding or direct sowing is a method of planting in which seeds are directly planted on the
ground in the farm or any growing surface while transplanting makes use of pre-grown plants,
seedlings or vegetatively propagated clones. The term transplanting is also used to refer to the
practice of replanting an already established plant in one location and moving it elsewhere.