AGRICULTURAL CROPS PRODUCTION NC II HANDOUTS

(PLANT CROPS)
SOIL SAMPLING
SOIL SAMPLING/ ANAYLISIS
Soil analysis is a valuable tool in determining the fertility status of the soil and the necessary
inputs required for efficient and economic production. A proper soil test will help ensure the
application of enough fertilizer to meet the requirements of the crop while taking advantage of
the nutrients already present in the soil.
PURPOSE OF SOIL SAMPLING
• Measure the nutrient content or availability in the soil and identify nutrient deficiency
• Determine the soil pH if acidic or alkaline
• Lime and Sulfur Adjustments for soil pH
NOTE: Soil must be collected to
all parts of the farm that will be
used for planting.
Depth of soil sample depends
on your crop.
 For Vegetable Crop: 15-
30 cm
 For Orchard (Fruit) and
Field Crop (Rice):
30-60 cm
Air-dry the soil sample if moist
or wet.
Collected soil sample must
weigh 1 kilogram by using
quartering method.
Make sure to label the sample with required information: Name, address, Location of Soil
Sample, Farm Area, Date and Time of Sample Collected, and crops to be planted.
When and How Often Should Soils Be Tested?
 Soils should be dry enough to dig when sampling.
 Vegetable Garden should be sampled every 1 to 2 years
 Ornamentals should be sampled every 2 to 3 years
LAND PREPARATION
CONSIDERATION FOR FIELD SELECTION
 Climate (Temperature and Wind) - prevent high temperature and windy area
 Sunlight – select field with exposure of 6-8 hours.
 Soil (pH, Nutrients, and Texture) – prevent adobe soil
 Water Availability – select field with water source
 Topography (Kung di binabaha)
STEPS LAND PREPARATION
1. Collect soil sample for soil analysis to test the nutrients, texture and acidity and
alkalanity of the soil.
2. Prepare all the tools, materials and equipment needed.
3. Wear appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
4. Clear the area and remove all the weeds with flowers and debris (stone, plastic, metal
etc.) that you encounter.
5. Measure the size of your garden, decide the size and shape that you want. Make sure to
put extra space to walk between the rows.
6. Cultivate the soil by using appropriate tools and equipment. It is done through tillage.
a. Primary tillage or Plowing – initial cutting or breaking the soil
b. Secondary tillage or Harrowing – Harrowing the soil for final conditioning.
7. Amend the soil by adding growing media like rice hulls, CRH, sawdust, compost etc. Mix
until it distributed to the soil equally.
8. Add basal fertilizers and mix it with soil to prevent from evaporating.
9. Rake the soil to make it smooth and don’t step to the soil to stay loose.
10. Add mulch if needed to prevent weeds from growing.
11. Install irrigation system (if available)
12. Allow the cultivated soil to sit for a couple of days before planting.
IMPORTANCE OF LAND PREPARATION
 To promote good soil condition
 To control the growth of weeds
 To control the growth of disease-causing organisms, present in the soil
 To promote soil aeration
 To encourage penetration of plant roots in the soil
 To take advantages of the soil nutrients present in the soil
 To allow good drainage
PLANTING LAYOUT
SQUARE PLANTING SYSTEM
This system row to row and plant to plant distances are kept
similar. The plants are planted exactly at right angle at each
corner.
Area
Formula: No. of Plants =
S
QUINCUNX PLANTING SYSTEM
Similar to square system except one additional plant or filler plant is
planted in the center of each square.

L W
Formula: No. of Plants = Area ( S - 1)( S - 1)
S

RECTANGULAR PLANTING SYSTEM

The field is laid out into rectangular shape plot keeping more
space between row and row. The plant to plant distance is kept
comparatively less. Thus, rectangular system accommodates
more plants in rows.

EQUILATERAL TRIANGULAR PLANTING SYSTEM OR

HEXAGONAL SYSTEM
Fruit trees are planted at the corners of triangles have all sides equal
in length and are called equilateral triangle.

CONTOUR PLANTING SYSTEM

The system is use for planting fruit trees on hilly and slopes area with
the objective to minimize soil erosion.
 EXAMPLE LAYOUT OF SQUARE PLANTING METHOD with COMPUTATION
Area: 10 meters x 10 meters
Planting Distance/ Sides: 2 meters

10 METERS

LEGEND: 1 METER
Notes:
MOJON 2 METERS
1. Sketch first
AREA 2 METERS the layout
PLANTS
1 METER before doing
PLANTING
it in the field
DISTANCE
10 METERS 2. Put proper
label on your
sketch for
reference.
Like the
example
3. Make sure to
establish the
mojon and
area before
putting the
plants.
4. Distance of
plant to
mojon is half
of planting
Given: Area: 10m x 10m
distance.
S/PD: 2m
Area
No. of Plants = S

No. of Plants = 10 m¿x¿1 0 m

100 m2
No. of Plants =
4 m2

No. of Plants = 25
Find the square root of 25 to compute how many plants are needed horizontally and vertically.
Example √ 25 = 5; applicable only for Quincunx and Square Method System
TRANSPLANTING AND DIRECT SEEDING METHOD
TRANSPLANTING SEEDLING
Transplanting is the process of moving a fully germinated seedling and replanting it in a
permanent location for the growing season. A plant that has been recently transplanted is
sometimes referred to as a transplant.
ADVANTAGES TRANSPLANT SEEDLING

 You can protect germinating seeds from harmful weather, direct sunlight, and rain.
 You can protect seeds and seedling from pest and birds.
 Expected higher yield and better-looking flowers.
 Transplant seeds ensures better germination.
 You can comfortably sow seeds indoors in seedling tray.

Transplanting seedling should be done during late afternoon (3-5 pm) to prevent too much heat
and sunlight.
EXAMPLE OF TRANSPLANTS
 Tomato, Lettuce, Peppers, Eggplant, Pechay, Eggplant, Cabbage & Mustasa and all small
seeds.

DIRECT SEEDING
Direct seeding is a term that describes a seeding method. The direct seeding method involves
sowing seeds directly into the soil that the plants will later mature in.
ADVANTAGES DIRECT SEEDING

 That the grower will not need to transplant their crop at a later time. Plants that have
been sown directly into the soil will develop faster than plants which have been
transplanted.
 There is less risk for plants when they have been directly seeded into the soil, because
transplanting can be stressful to plants in many ways.
EXAMPLE OF DIRECT SEEDING
 Sunflowers, Cucumbers, Potato, Squash, Beans, Radishes, Corn, Melons, Peas and
Carrots and all big seeds.