ABSTRACT
Practical crop farming is the centre of attention in this chapter and Chapter 14, which are characterized by farm level perspectives. In brief, you will read about what to grow and how to do it. This chapter is built up around the growing season, which is described in general terms in order to be applicable to many kinds of crop farming around the world. The practical work begins with soil tillage, fertilizing and other preparation before seeding and emergence. Thereafter follows a long phase of vegetative growth when the plants are assumed to develop into a luxuriant crop before maturity and harvest. In parallel with the main parts of the growing season, we will address some related questions, such as various tillage methods and practical aspects of fertilizing, although other crop farming issues follow in Chapter 14.
After this chapter you are expected to:
Be aware of the many factors that influence farmers' decisions about what to grow
Be capable of giving a short overview of the principal parts of the growing season
Be familiar with the operational stage before seeding
Have a fair idea of relevant fertilizer levels
Be familiar with the stage when the field is sown and the seed emerges
Be aware of tasks and problems that may occur during the vegetative phase of the growing season
Be able to point out some key aspects that the farmer has to consider as the crop ripens and it is time for harvest
Key words
Growing season, planning, soil tillage, fertilizer rates, seeding, emergence, vegetative growth, crop maturity, harvest.
