1.

0 INTRODUCTION
Crop production is the branch of agriculture that deals with the production of crops for food
and fiber for animal either for subsistence purposes or commercial purposes. Due to the course
of the Siwes program, the students were given a project on the cultivation of cowpea varieties.
It requires very few inputs, as the plant's root nodules are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen,
making it a valuable crop for resource-poor farmers and well-suited intercropping with other
crops. The whole plant is used as forage for animals, with its use as cattle feed likely responsible
for its name. During the cause of the imdustrial training in each of the units, different varieties
of crops were cultivated.

Horticulture is the branch of plant Agriculture dealing with garden crops, generally fruits,
vegetables, and ornamental plants. It is divided into Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Lawn
establishment and Landscaping.

1.1 OBJECTIVES OF CROP PRODUCTION AND HORTICULTURE UNIT

1.) Production of high quality crops and quantity on the yields.

2.) Understanding the importance of landscaping and lawn establishment and also how they're
made.

3.) Having a broad knowledge not just on the theoretical aspects of Agriculture but Also on the
practical aspects of Agriculture.

4.) To know visually the different pests and diseases that attack crops, their symptoms and how
they can be controlled.

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2.0 GENERAL AGRONOMIC PRACTICES
Some of the Crops and Ornamental plants that Agronomic practices are listed below,

 CROPS; Fluted pumpkin - Telfaria Occidentalis, Maize - Zea mays, Okra - Abelmoschus
esculentus, Cowpea - Vigna unguiculata.
 ORNAMENTAL PLANTS: Ficus aurea, Gardenia jasiminoides and West indises.

This are the lists of Agricultural practices carried out by the students during the course of the
industrial training;

A.) SITE SELECTION STAGE: The choosen site that all the cultivation of different species of crops
were carried out was at the University of Port Harcourt Demonstration farms plots, located at
Abuja campus besides the faculty of Agricultural building , all Experimental Projects ranging
from land preparations to Storages were carried out at the sites.

B) LAND PREPARATION STAGE: Land preparation is clearing and removal of bushes on the
surface of the land, this is performed differently. In this second step, the main practices carried
out are,

1.) Ploughing: The prime purpose of ploughing is to turn over the uppermost soil, bringing fresh
nutrients to the surface while burying weeds and crop remains to decay. Trenches cut by the
plough are called furrows. In modern use, a ploughed field is normally left to dry and then
harrowed before planting.

2.) Harrowing: It is used after ploughing for breaking up and smoothing out the surface of the
soil. The purpose of harrowing is to break up clods and to provide a soil structure, called tilth,
that is suitable for planting seeds. Coarser harrowing may also be used to remove weeds and to
cover seed after sowing.

3.) Ridging (Cultivation of Zea mays ): Ridging, it's intended a technique which permits to cover
the base of the plants with the soil, this help the productivity of the crop increased and grant a
better protection for the plants from bad weather conditions and from weeds.

4.) Making of beds (Cultivation of Curcuma and Telfaria Occidentalis), Digging of holes
(Cultivation of Dioscorea rotundata).

5.) Collection of soil samples: This involves the use of a soil Auger (A soil auger is a tool for
boring round holes into soil. The user turns the crank or handle, and the auger bit twists into a
desired target, such as soil, displacing dirt, and boring a hole in the earth in the collection of the

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different soil samples randomly from the different points of the farm land. The different data's
gotten were Soil Sample A1 ( 0 -15 CM / 0 - 30 CM ), Soil sample A2 ( 0 - 15 CM / 0 - 30 CM ),
Soil sample A3 ( 0 - 15 CM / 0 - 30 CM ), Soil sample. Before they're taken to the laboratory, the
soil samples collected are mixed together, that is the top soil and sub soil.The essence of taking
the soil samples us to know the rate of nutrient contents on the soil before planting and is also
taken after harvesting to also know the rate of nutrient contents added by the leguminous
plant (cowpea).
6.) Land mapping: The land was divided into three blocks, block A, B and C for the different
subgroups. The materials used were pegs, twines and measuring tape. The land was measured
to be 49 M. Each block was measured 16.3M.
C) SOWING/PLANTING; In this steps, it involves both the Crop production and the horticulture.
Here, we practicalized and learnt that the loosening and breaking up (tilling) of the soil. It is
generally the raising crops. Its could also be the act of setting seeds, crops, etc into the ground
to grow. The following are the planting spacing of the cultivated crops,

 Telfaria Occidentalis Furrow: 1M, Number of seed per hole: 1, Plant spacing: 60 CM x
60 CM
 Dioscorea rotundata (White yam) Furrow: 1M, Plant spacing: 1M x 1M, Number of
yam sett per hole: 2.
 Zea mays Furrow: 1M, Plant spacing: , Number of seeds per hole: 2.
 Abelmoschus esculentus Plant spacing: , Number of seeds per hole: 1.
 Vigna unguiculata: Furrow; 1M, M Planting spacing; 60 CM x 50 CM, Number of seeds
per hole; 3.

1.) Mulching: Mulching may be defined as the process of covering the soil surface around the
plants to create congenial conditions for the crop growth. Its importances include moisture and
soil conservation, temperature moderation, salinity and weed control etc). It is carried out after
planting.

D.) MANURING/FERTILIZER APPLICATIONS; At this stage, two practices were carried out,
namely, The use of organic fertilizer practices and Mulching practices. The organic fertilizer was
used during the cultivation processes was poultry droppings from poultry birds, it's advantages
include improving soil structure, texture and aeration increasing the soils water retention
abilities and stimulating healthy root development. The poultry droppings was used when
cultivating Zea mays and Abelmoschus esculentus.

The Mulching practices was used when cultivating Telfaria Occidentalis. This will help to
procted the crop from adverse sun heating when emergence occurs.

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E.) MAINTENANCE STAGE:

1.) Water supply; During the course of cultivating this crops, the planting season was already in
the harmattan and so water supply was one of the maintenance practices carried out on the
cultivation crops. Major Importance of Water in Plants are, serves as a raw material for various
chemical processes, including photosynthesis and, through transpiration and Buffering the plant
against wide temperature fluctuations.

2.) Weeding: The act of removing wild plants from a place where they are not wanted. Weeding
is one of the major maintenance the carried out in Agriculture in all the cultivated farm plots.
Weeding comes in three weeks after cultivation. Weed control is vital to Agriculture, because
its decrease yields, increase production costs, interfere with harvest, and lower product quality.
Weeds also impede irrigation water-flow, interfere with pesticide application, and harbour
disease organisms.

3.) Integrated pest and disease control; The herbicides used in pests and diseases
managements of the crops was VANQUISH at the rate of 75 ml in a 25 L of water. Equipment
worn for protection was the PPE ( PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT).

4.) Pruning: Pruning, in horticulture, the removal or reduction of parts of a plant, tree, or vine
that are not requisite to growth or production, are no longer visually pleasing, or are injurious
to the health or development of the plant. Helps Control Growth, Encourage Flower and Fruit
Production, Create Special Forms and Rejuvenate Overgrown Plants.

5.) Supplying; Introduction of new plants to replace the ungerminated or unproductive ones.
This was carried out during the period of the first Weeding.

F.) HARVESTING STAGE: Among steps of farming practices, harvesting needs significant care
otherwise it will result in yield reduction. The harvesting was carried out on matured crops but
due to the ability to maintain the Vigna unguiculata and Curcuma there was no harvest carried
out.

2.1 OVERVIEW OF COWPEA

BROWN BEANS (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Phaseolus vulgaris is one of the variety of cowpea cultivated for it yields, Brown beans belong
to the group Pinto beans, they are light brown bean, often used to make refried beans or in
chili. They are creamy and taste earthy and nutty. They're a very versatile bean. The popular
Nigerian brown beans are actually Brown cowpeas which are cultivated and consumed in most
of Sub-Saharan Africa. The beans are highly nutritious containing good levels of Carbohydrate,

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Protein, Dietary Fiber and Minerals such as Calcium, magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Iron, zinc,
Manganese and Copper.

2.2 BENEFITS OF COWPEA CULTIVATION

1.) Cowpea has a high protein content highly required by human for consumption.

2.) Its adaptability to different types of soil and intercropping systems.

3.) Its resistance to drought.

4.) And its ability to improve soil fertility.

5.) Prevent erosion makes it an important economic crop in many developing regions.

6.) It can saves as forages to animals.

2.3 PESTS OF COWPEA, SYMPTOMS AND THEIR CONTROL

A.) Aphids attack on beans
They are small, green, red or gray insects that are most prevalent on early summer but can
appear anytime.

SYMPTOMS
They Pierce leaves and stems sucking juices from the plants. Leaves may appear drooling or
leaves turn yellow during aphid’s infestation.

CONTROL
Spray them with a steady stream of water from the hose or apply insecticidal soap to the leaves
coating them to the top and bottoms well to cover the aphids

B.) Thrips of beans pests

They are small barely noticeable insects that sucks the juices from the from beans plants.

SYMPTOMS

Its causes deflowering of the beans and deformation of the pods.

CONTROL

Laying if aluminum foil on the after planting to repel thrips.

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C.) Caterpillar on beans plant

Corn earthworms and cabbage loopers aren't as picky about diet as thirty names implies.

SYMPTOMS

They feed on the leaved and can cause a total destruction on the entire farmland.

CONTROL

Spray beans with BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) to feeding caterpillars.

2.4 DISEAES OF COWPEA, SYMPTOMS AND THEIR CONTROL

A.) Anthranose
This is a disease caused by Colletotrochium lindemuthianum.

Symptoms

Lesions are dark brown and may contain pink spore masses during moist weather

CONTROL

Sowing of plants with resistance varieties and complete removal of plant residues after
harvesting.

B.) Bacterial blight

Caused by different bacterial diseases. Caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv.

SYMPTOMS

Its causes seed-borne.

CONTROL

Planting of cowpea with resistance varieties and removal of plant residues.

2.5 OVERVIEW ON OKRA

Abelmoschus esculentus, known in many English-speaking countries as ladies' fingers or ochro,
is a flowering plant in the mallow family. It has edible green seed pods. Cultivated in tropical,
subtropical, and warm temperate regions around the world, okra is used in the cuisines of

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many countries. The pods of the plant are mucilaginous, resulting in the characteristic slime
when the seed pods are cooked, the mucilage contains soluble fiber. One possible way to de-
slime okra is to cook it with an acidic food, such as tomatoes, to minimize the mucilage. Pods
are cooked, pickled, eaten raw, or included in salads. Okra may be used in developing countries
to mitigate malnutrition and alleviate food insecurity.

2.6 BENEFITS OF OKRA

1.) It's rich in magnesium, folate, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C, K1, and A.

2.) Okra may benefit pregnant women, heart health, and blood sugar control.

3.) It may even have anticancer properties.

2.7 PESTS OF OKRA, SYMPTOMS AND THEIR CONTROL

A.) Aphids (Green peach aphid, Potato aphid, etc.) Myzus persicae

Macrosiphum euphorbiae

SYMPTOMS
Small soft bodied insects on underside of leaves and/or stems of plant; usually green or yellow
in color, but may be pink, brown, red or black depending on species and host plant.

CONTROL
check transplants for aphids before planting; use tolerant varieties if available;

B.) Armyworms (Beet armyworm, Western striped armyworm) Spodoptera exigua

Spodoptera praefica

SYMPTOMS

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Heavy feeding by young larvae leads to skeletonized leaves, shallow, dry wounds on fruit,
young larvae are pale green to yellow in color while older larvae are generally darker green with
a dark and light line running along the side of their body and a pink or yellow undersider.

CONTROL
Organic methods of controlling armyworms include biological control by natural enemies which
parasitize the larvae and the application of Bacillus thuringiensis.

2.8 DISEASES OF OKRA, SYMPTOMS AND THEIR CONTROL

A.) Cercospora Leaf Spot (Cercospora abelmoschi and C. malayensis):

SYMPTOMS
The affected leaves roll wilt and fall. The disease causes severe defoliation during humid
seasons.

CONTROL
Since the fungus survives on the diseased plant material, removal and destruction and of
diseased plant material helps to check the spread of the disease.

B.) Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV):

SYMPTOMS
At times, enations (raised structures) are observed on the under surface of infected leaf. Plants
infected in the early stages remain stunted. The fruits of the infected plants exhibit pale yellow
colour, deformed, small and tough in texture.

CONTROL
Removal and destruction of virus affected plants and planting of disease resistance varieties
reduces the disease incidence.

3.0 AGRICULTURAL SIWES PROGRAM

This was the Siwes project assigned to the Siwes students in group 5 in the Faculty of
Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt. They were to carry out a repair of the knapsack sprayer

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(Due to this, it was used during the period of Herbicides Application, PPE (PERSONAL
PROTECTION EQUIPMENT) was highly required, purchase of fertilizer (Fertilizers are chemical
substances supplied to the crops to increase their productivity. These are used by the farmers
daily to increase the crop yield. The fertilizers contain the essential nutrients required by the
plants, including Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus. They enhance the water retention
capacity of the soil and also increase its fertilit) was also given to the Siwes students, in order to
be applied on the soil before or after planting. The fertilizer purchased was NPK 20:10:10.

3.1 USES OF A KNAPSACK SPRAYER

1.) Its major importance is to disperse liquid such as Fertilizers, Fungicides, Insecticides,
Pesticides and Herbicides on demanding areas.

3.2 IMPORTANCE OF FERTILIZER

1.) Increases yield.
2.) Increase quality (nitrogen content and digestibility) of food .
3.) Increase the farmers profit.

3.3 MACRO PROPAGATION HUMIDITY CHAMBER

Macro propagation is also called Tissue culture‫ ׭‬Plant tissue culture is a collection of
techniques used to maintain or grow plant cells, tissues or organs under sterile conditions on a
nutrient culture medium of known composition. Tissue culture is a type of asexual
reproduction. This is a platform ussd specificallg in nursing sucker plants such as plantain and
banana. The materials used in the construction of the macro propagation Humidity chamber
includes Tape, Tapolin (white and black),Batting, stepler Woods I.e 6 bottom flat wood
(measured 2 M by 3 M), Black Oil Paint, Copper Nails

3.4 ADVANTAGES OF A MACRO PROPAGATION HUMIDITY CHAMBER

1.) The main advantage of macro propagation is the production of many plants that are clones
of each other.

2.) Macro propagation can be used to produce disease-free plants.

3.) It is the only viable method of regenerating genetically modified cells.

3.5 DISADVANTAGES OF A MACRO PROPAGATION HUMIDITY CHAMBER

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1.) Labor may make up 50%-69% of operating costs.
2.) A monoculture is produced after micro propagation, leading to a lack of overall disease
resilience, as all progeny plants may be vulnerable to the same infections
3.) Production of infected plants through infected progeny.

4.0 HORTICULTURE UNIT

This is a subunit under CSS unit. Horticulture is the art of cultivating plants in gardens to
produce food and medicinal ingredients, or for comfort and ornamental purposes.
Horticulturists are agriculturists who grow flowers, fruits and nuts, vegetables and herbs, as
well as ornamental trees and lawns. It is a branch of crop science that deals with ornamental
crops, fruits and vegetables.

4.1 BRANCHES OF HORTICULTURE

 Pomology: This is the production of fruits in large or small scale. It is also called
FRUTICULTURE.
 Olericulture: This is the production of vegetables either for commercial purposes or
subsistence purposes.
 Floriculture: It deals with the production of ornamental plants‫׭‬

4.2 RAISING OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

This is the multiplication of ornamental plant. It can be achieved through the use of seed,
grafting and budding. The following are the flora used during the raising of ornamental plants,
Ficus aurea , Gardenia jasiminoides and West indises. Some of the other activities includes
Lawn Establishment, Flora Arrangement, Landscaping, Potting and Topiary.

PROCEDURES TAKEN DURING RAISING OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

1.) Mixing of the top.

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2.) Introduction of the top soil into poly bags that has been perforated
3.) Cutting of the Ornamental plants slantly so as to bring about nutrient circulation within the
plants and also to avoid the plants from pilling
4.) Placing of the slantly cut Ornamental plants into the poly bags filled with top soil (Only 2
Ornamental plants should be placed in one poly bags to avoid competition of nutrient during
growth).

5.) Moistening of the perforated bags with enough water

4.3 LAWN ESTABLISHMENT:

This is an area of land purposely planted with grass by man. Lawn is a basic feature of the
garden. Lawn can be defined as the green carpet of a landscape. Lawn is ground cover of
grasses. It provides a perfect setting for a flowerbed, a border, shrubbery or a specimen tree or
a shrub. There are three methods of Lawn Establishment, namely,

 Seed method: This involves the use of matured plants with seeds. The seeds are dried
first and planted using a method called BROADCASTING. The tool used is called the
sickle.
 Turfing method: It is the quickest method for lawn preparation. Grasses are cut into 4-6
cm long pieces for sowing purpose with stem and roots. Turf is a piece of earth of about
5cm thickness with grass thickly grown over it. The pieces may be of small squares or in
rolls of small width (30 cm). Selected small piece of grass should be cut uniformly thick
selected from a place free from weeds and grasses along with soil are placed on
prepared ground side by side closely. Grasses set within 15 days and ready to harvest by
3 months.
 Tiller method: A tiller of grass is taken from the bunk of grass to carry out the tiller
method. On a well prepared land, a tiller is planted on each point of the land‫׭‬

4.4 IMPORTANCE OF LAWN ESTABLISHMENT

1.) Lawns are a common feature of the gardens, public landscapes and parks
2.) They add beauty to the garden
3.) They are created for aesthetic pleasure
4.) They provide excellent cover to help control soil erosion
5.) Lawn is used in sports such as, football, cricket, basketball, tennis and hockey.

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4.5 LANDSCAPING
It is defined as a business using plants and other materials to purposely protect and beautify
the environment. The following should be considered, color of the building, Topography (This
helps to know whether to established a Lawn or a Landscape), Soil Test and lastly Wind
Direction (This helps to direction to which the plants are to be planted, because the will actually
serve as wind breakers).

PRINCIPLES OF LANDSCAPING

1.) Simplicity: This involves giving a distances between the plants when planting. The direction
of the wind should be known first before planting.
2.) Focalization: Here, plants that are highly attractive should be used. This helps to attract
people’s attention to your work.

3.) Balance: Here, a plant with different varieties should be used, that is, plants of different
varieties should be adopted.

4.6 FLORAL ARRANGEMENT

Floral arrangement is the art of using plant materials and flowers to create an eye-catching and
balanced composition or display.

STEPS INVOLVE IN FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

1.) Immersion of the oasis in water (Reason being that it will absorb water that will sustain the
flowers for a certain period of time).
2.) Cutting of the flower slantly and Deeping it in water for some seconds
3.) Trim of excessive parts and arrange the flowers in oasis
4.) Ensure your focal point is noticeable. FOCAL POINT is the tallest part of the

CONCLUSION
The whole processes and activities carried out were all educating, right from the Crop
Production to the Horticulture . The major objectives were to acquire knowledge on how crop
can be cultivated and managed the crops to produce high yields and also Ornamental Plants
can be of a greater benefit to mankind.

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It was a great privilege given to me to learn and acquire knowledge from this practices.

REFERENCES
University of port Harcourt, faculty farm, faculty of Agriculture
"The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".

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Mr. Pamenas (2021-2022) Lectures on Horticulture, Landscaping and Lawn
Establishment.

University of Port Harcourt Demonstrations farm for Non- ruminants Animals,

choba.

University of Port Harcourt Demonstration farm for Ruminants animals, Abuja

campus.

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