Page 138 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Exercise 8.4
1. Some pigeon pea plants in your school field have pale leaves and few flowers,
while others have aborted flowers. What could be the cause of this, and how
would you solve the problem?
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2. You noticed that a dry spell starts when your pigeon peas are at pod formation
stage. What should be done to protect the crop and ensure good yields?

3. What is the advantage of using compost or manure instead of chemical
fertilisers in management of soil moisture and nutrients in pigeon pea
production?

Management of weeds in pigeon pea fields
Weeds affect pigeon pea production by competing for water, nutrients, and
sunlight. They can reduce yields, attract pests, and make harvesting difficult.
Weed control is a key aspect of good pigeon pea crop management particularly
during the first 6 - 8 weeks after planting. This is when pigeon pea plants are still
young and are easily affected by weeds. After this period, the crop grows tall and
covers the ground, making it harder for weeds to grow.

Various weed control methods are suitable for pigeon pea production. Hand-
pulling and hoeing are effective for small plots or home gardens. Mulching helps
to reduce weed growth and preserve soil moisture. Cover crops, such as fast-
growing legumes, can also reduce weed spread between rows. In large fields,
herbicides may be used, but only with proper guidance and observing safety
measures. The choice of method depends on the type of weed, field condition,
and available resources. Sometimes, more than one method is used to improve
results. A clean field during early crop growth helps pigeon peas grow better and
produce more pods for optimum yield.

Activity 8.6

Walk through your plot of a pigeon pea, and carry out the following activities:

(a) Identify different weed types found in the plot/ field.

(b) Think of methods which might work best to manage each type of weed.
Explain why you chose the methods.

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