Page 144 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Exercise 8.6
1. You find several pigeon pea plants in the field with wilted leaves. What could
be the causes of this problem, and how would you manage it?

2. Some pods in your school garden have holes and black dust inside. Which
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pest might be responsible, and what action(s) would you take?

3. During a routine check, you notice white powder on the leaves of healthy-
looking plants. What might be the pest or disease, and how will you manage
it?

4. A pigeon pea farmer plans to re-use seeds from plants that looked healthy but
grew in a field where some plants had diseases. What problems could this
decision cause in the next season, and how could it be avoided?

Harvesting, postharvest management and marketing of pigeon pea

Proper harvesting, postharvest handling, and marketing of pigeon peas reduce
losses and improve farmers’ and traders’ income. These practices are quite
important in maintaining the quality of the crop for both consumption and sale.
Each stage must be completed at the correct time to ensure better results.

Harvesting of common peas
The time from sowing to harvesting depends on the variety used and growing
conditions. Early maturing varieties are usually ready after 85 - 120 days. Medium
to late-maturing varieties may take 150 - 300 days. Pigeon peas are harvested
either as vegetable peas or as dry grain. The method and timing depend on the
intended use and market demand.

Vegetable pigeon peas are harvested when the pods are green, plump, and the
seeds inside are soft. This usually occurs between 3 and 6 months after planting.
Harvesting is done by hand and must be repeated every few days as new pods
continue to mature. In some countries, such as Ethiopia, young pigeon pea leaves
are also used as vegetables. Dry-grain pigeon peas are harvested when the pods
turn brown and dry on the plant. At this stage, the seeds inside are hard and
suitable for long-term storage. The round or oval seeds may be light brown to
dark brown. At this stage, the seedpod is plucked out and dried under the sun then
threshed to remove the seeds.

Student’s Book Form Three 135

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AGRICULTURE F3.indd 135