Meaning of Planting in Crop Production for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Third Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Crop Production and Horticulture
Curriculum Theme: Crop and Horticulture Propagation
Focal competence: Apply the right techniques for planting, cutting, budding, grafting and layering
Key competencies/values: Collaboration

Skills:

• of planting materials and tools
• Planting using the practices of dibbling, broadcasting, and transplanting

Previous Lesson: Compatibility in vegetative propagation
Topic: Planting
Subject Matter: Meaning of planting

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define planting.
• Identify different types of planting materials.
• Identify different types of planting tools.

Affective Domain

• Participate collaboratively in group discussions about planting.
• Appreciate the importance of proper planting techniques.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate the use of simple planting tools.
• Explain the practical steps for dibbling, broadcasting, and transplanting.

Social Domain

• Work effectively in groups to identify and discuss planting items.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Actual samples of various planting materials (e.g., maize seeds, cassava stem cuttings, yam tubers, banana suckers)
• Actual samples of simple planting tools (e.g., hand trowel, dibbler, hoe, cutlass)
• Pictures or charts showing different planting materials and tools
• Pictures illustrating dibbling, broadcasting, and transplanting methods

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is essential as it lays the foundation for understanding crop establishment, a critical aspect of agricultural production. Students will learn the basic methods of introducing crops to the soil, which directly impacts crop yield and farm productivity. Mastering these fundamental concepts prepares students for more advanced topics in crop cultivation and practical farm management.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of what crops are and the general importance of agriculture.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Planting

Meaning of Planting

Planting refers to the act of putting seeds or vegetative parts of a plant (such as cuttings, tubers, or suckers) into the soil or a suitable growing medium to germinate and grow into new plants. It is a fundamental step in crop production.

Planting Materials

Planting materials are the parts of plants used to propagate new plants. They can be broadly classified into two main types:

1. Seeds: These are reproductive units containing an embryo, stored food, and a protective coat. Examples include seeds of maize, rice, beans, groundnuts, tomatoes, and okra.
2. Vegetative Parts: These are non-sexual parts of a plant used for propagation. Examples include:
   1. Stem Cuttings: Portions of stems used to grow new plants, e.g., cassava, sugarcane, hibiscus.
   2. Root Cuttings: Sections of roots capable of producing new shoots, e.g., sweet potato, breadfruit.
   3. Tubers: Swollen underground stems that store food, e.g., yam, Irish potato.
   4. Rhizomes: Underground stems that grow horizontally, e.g., ginger, canna lily.
   5. Corms: Swollen underground stem bases, e.g., cocoyam, gladiolus.
   6. Bulbs: Short, flattened stems with fleshy leaves, e.g., onion, garlic.
   7. Suckers: Shoots that arise from the base of the plant, e.g., banana, plantain, pineapple.

Planting Tools

Planting tools are implements used to prepare the soil and place planting materials. Common planting tools include:

1. Hoe: Used for digging, weeding, and making ridges or mounds.
2. Cutlass: Used for clearing bushes, cutting stems, and light digging.
3. Dibbler (or Dibber): A pointed tool used to make holes in the soil for planting seeds or seedlings.
4. Trowel: A small hand tool with a scoop-shaped blade, used for digging small holes, transplanting seedlings, and mixing soil.
5. Rake: Used for levelling soil, breaking up clods, and removing debris.
6. Watering Can: Used for irrigating newly planted seeds or seedlings gently.
7. Measuring Tape/Rope: Used to ensure correct spacing and alignment of plants in the field.

Planting Practices (Methods of Planting)

Different methods are used to plant crops, depending on the crop type, seed size, and farm size. The main practices include:

1. Dibbling:
   1. Description: This method involves making small, uniformly spaced holes in the prepared soil with a dibbler, stick, or finger, and then dropping one or two seeds into each hole before covering them with soil.
   2. Field Context/Management: It ensures precise spacing and seed depth, leading to uniform plant stand. It is suitable for larger seeds like maize, beans, and groundnuts, and for crops planted in rows. It is labour-intensive but allows for efficient use of seeds.
2. Broadcasting:
   1. Description: This practice involves scattering seeds randomly over a prepared seedbed or field. The seeds are then lightly covered with soil using a rake or light harrowing.
   2. Field Context/Management: It is a quick method, suitable for small seeds like rice, millet, or some vegetables, and for large areas where uniform spacing is not critical or is difficult to achieve. However, it often results in uneven plant distribution, overcrowding, and higher seed rates.
3. Transplanting:
   1. Description: This method involves raising seedlings in a nursery bed or trays and then carefully moving them to the main field when they reach a certain size (e.g., 3-4 true leaves).
   2. Field Context/Management: It is commonly used for crops with small seeds or those that require special care during early growth, such as tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, and tree seedlings. It allows for selection of healthy seedlings, better field establishment, and extending the growing season. Proper hardening-off (gradually exposing seedlings to outdoor conditions) and careful handling are crucial to minimise transplanting shock.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Group Work, Practical Activity

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Engagement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them what they understand by “planting” and why it is important in farming.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by sharing their ideas about planting and its importance.

Learning Point: Introduction to planting

Step 2: Meaning of Planting

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides a class discussion on the meaning of planting, clarifying it as the act of putting seeds or vegetative parts into the soil for growth. The teacher writes the definition on the board.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion and copy the definition into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Definition of planting

Step 3: Identification of Planting Materials

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents various planting materials (actual samples or pictures) such as maize seeds, cassava stems, yam tubers, and banana suckers. The teacher guides students to identify and differentiate between them in groups.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe, discuss in groups, and identify the different planting materials.

Learning Point: Types of planting materials

Step 4: Identification of Planting Tools

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Identification

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays various planting tools (actual samples or pictures) like a hoe, cutlass, dibbler, and trowel. The teacher guides students to identify each tool and discuss its primary use in groups.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe, discuss in groups, and identify the planting tools and their uses.

Learning Point: Identification of planting tools

Step 5: Explanation of Dibbling and Broadcasting

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the planting practices of dibbling and broadcasting, using pictures or simple demonstrations to illustrate how each method is carried out. The teacher highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe, ask questions, and take notes on dibbling and broadcasting.

Learning Point: Dibbling and broadcasting methods

Step 6: Explanation of Transplanting

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the transplanting method, describing the process from nursery establishment to field planting. The teacher discusses suitable crops and key considerations like hardening-off.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe, and take notes on the transplanting method.

Learning Point: Transplanting method explained

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is planting?
2. Mention two types of planting materials.
3. Name two tools used for planting.
4. Briefly explain the difference between dibbling and broadcasting.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Assessment of understanding

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning of planting, planting materials, tools, and practices into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarisation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the key points of the lesson, reinforcing the importance of proper planting for successful crop production and encourages students to observe planting activities around them.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and ask any final questions.

Learning Point: Lesson consolidation

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. List five different planting materials you know, giving an example for each.
2. Describe the process of transplanting, highlighting two advantages of this method.
3. Draw and label any two planting tools discussed in class.

Lesson Keywords

• Planting – The act of putting seeds or vegetative parts into the soil for growth.
• Planting Materials – Parts of plants used to propagate new plants (e.g., seeds, cuttings, tubers).
• Planting Tools – Implements used to prepare soil and place planting materials (e.g., hoe, dibbler).
• Dibbling – Planting method where seeds are placed in small, uniformly spaced holes.
• Broadcasting – Planting method where seeds are scattered randomly over a prepared area.
• Transplanting – Moving seedlings from a nursery to the main field.

Differentiation

Support: For students who struggle, the teacher can provide simplified diagrams and flashcards of planting materials and tools, focusing on basic identification and definitions. Pair them with more capable students for group activities.

Extension: Advanced students can research specific crops that require particular planting methods or tools, or investigate the scientific reasons behind hardening-off in transplanting.

Suggested Lesson Videos

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