Page 79 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

and note the differences in yield. Record your observations, activities, and
key lessons learnt in your portfolio.

Exercise 5.3
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
1. Justify why selecting the right variety for common bean production is
important.

2. Describe the correct methods for sowing common beans.
3. If a farmer sows bean seeds too close, what problems may arise? Suggest the
correct way for planting the beans to avoid the problem?

Soil water and nutrient management for common bean

Common beans need adequate water to grow well. Moisture demand is high when
the crop is at the flowering and pod-forming stages. A shortage of adequate soil
moisture at this stage leads to poor pod development. However, too much water
encourages the occurrence of diseases such as root rot, particularly when the soil
stays wet for too long. This can also lead to yellowing of leaves, weak stems, and
poor root development due to nutrients leaching.
Beans also need nutrients to grow healthy. Therefore, application of fertilisers
and plant boosters can improve yield performance of the crop. Fertilisers and
plant boosters may be applied upon advice from agricultural extension workers.
Mulching is another helpful practice. It keeps the soil moist, controls weeds, and
adds nutrients to the soil upon decomposition. During dry periods, watering help
the crop plants to stay healthy. But care should be taken not to supply too much
water, as that can cause serious problems, as explained earlier.

Activity 5.5
1. In your school farm, prepare two small plots of equal size for sowing common
beans.

(a) In one plot, apply compost or farmyard manure and leave the other plot
without manure/compost.

(b) Sow the same variety of beans in both plots using the correct spacing.

70 Student’s Book Form Three

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AGRICULTURE F3.indd 70
AGRICULTURE F3.indd 70 17/09/2025 14:11