Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 2
CROP PRODUCTION
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CROP PRODUCTION
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Science
Class: JHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 11
Grade code: B8.2.3.1.2
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: B8.2.3.1
Indicator code: B8.2.3.1.2
Theme: CYCLES
Subtheme: CROP PRODUCTION
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Crop production is a major part of life in Ghana—many families farm or buy food produced by farmers. To get good yields, farmers do not plant all crops the same way. Some crops are planted from seeds (e.g., maize), others from seedlings (e.g., tomato), and others from cuttings, roots, or leaves (e.g., cassava, sweet potato, cocoyam). Also, different crops need different seed beds (raised beds, flat beds, ridges, mounds, nursery beds). Learning to plant different crops in different seed beds helps learners understand good farming practices, reduce crop failure, and improve food security.
2.1 Meaning of Crop Production Crop production is the process of growing plants for food, income, or raw materials. It includes land preparation, planting, weeding, pest control, and harvesting. 2.2 What is a Seed Bed? A seed bed is a prepared area of soil where planting materials (seeds, seedlings, cuttings, etc.) are placed to grow.
Why we prepare seed beds To make soil fine and loose for easy germination and root growth. To improve drainage and reduce waterlogging. To reduce weeds and pests. To make planting and watering easier. 2.3 Types of Seed Beds Common in Ghana Nursery bed (seedling bed) A small bed where tiny seeds are sown and cared for until they become seedlings. Used for: tomato, pepper, onion, cabbage, garden eggs. Raised bed Soil is heaped above ground level (about 15–30 cm high). Advantages: good drainage, warms quickly, easy to weed. Used for: vegetables like lettuce, carrot, onion, cabbage (especially in rainy areas). Flat bed Soil is leveled; not raised. Used where drainage is already good and water is not excessive. Used for: maize, cowpea, groundnut (depending on soil and rainfall). Ridges Long raised lines of soil with furrows between them. Advantages: improves drainage, allows root/tuber expansion, easy for weeding and earthing-up. Used for: yam (sometimes on mounds), cassava, sweet potato, Irish potato, some vegetables. Mounds Separate heaps of soil. Advantages: deep loose soil for tubers, good drainage. Used for: yam, cocoyam, some cassava systems. 2.4 Planting Materials (Plant Parts Used for Planting) Different crops are planted using different plant parts: Seeds Examples: maize, rice, okro, cowpea, groundnut, watermelon. Why seeds: they germinate easily and are the natural reproductive part. Seedlings (young plants raised in nursery) Examples: tomato, pepper, cabbage, onion, garden eggs. Why seedlings: tiny seeds are delicate; nursery care increases survival and gives uniform plants. Cuttings (stem pieces) Examples: cassava (stem cuttings), sugarcane (stem setts). Why cuttings: some crops do not produce viable seeds commonly used by farmers; cuttings grow faster and maintain the same traits as the parent plant. Roots / Tubers Examples: sweet potato vines or tuber pieces (in some cases), yam setts (pieces of tuber), cocoyam cormels. Why roots/tubers: they store food and sprout quickly. Leaves / Suckers / Crowns (vegetative parts) Examples: pineapple crown/suckers, some ornamentals (e.g., Bryophyllum leaf buds). Why: vegetative parts can regrow into a full plant.
> Important idea for the indicator: > Different crops should be planted on different seed beds using appropriate planting materials to match their needs (drainage, spacing, root type, and early care).
2.5 Matching Crops to Suitable Seed Beds (Ghana-focused Examples) Example A: Tomato vs. Maize Tomato Planting material: seed → seedling Best seed bed: nursery bed first, then raised bed or ridges for transplanting Reason: tomato seeds are small; nursery care helps strong seedlings; raised bed reduces waterlogging and disease. Maize Planting material: seed Seed bed: flat bed or ridges (depending on rainfall) Reason: maize seeds are large and can be direct-sown; does not require nursery. Example B: Cassava vs. Onion Cassava Planting material: stem cutting Seed bed: ridges or mounds Reason: needs loose soil for root/tuber expansion and good drainage. Onion Planting material: seed → seedling Seed bed: nursery bed then raised bed Reason: onion seedlings are delicate; raised bed helps bulb formation and reduces rot.