WAEC SSCE Agricultural Science
Study notes for Husbandry of selected crops:- — part of the WAEC SSCE Agricultural Science syllabus. 3 learning objectives with explanations and exam tips.
Crop husbandry simply means the complete care and management of plants from planting until harvest. Think of it like raising a child—you need to know the right conditions for growth, proper feeding, protection from diseases, and when to harvest. For example, maize requires well-drained soil, receives rainfall of 500-750mm annually, and needs spacing of 75cm by 25cm between plants. You must prepare land by ploughing, apply fertilizer like NPK during planting, weed regularly to reduce competition, and control pests like armyworms using pesticides or traps. Harvesting occurs when the cob turns brown, typically 3-4 months after planting. Understanding these practices helps farmers maximize yield and quality.
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Cereal husbandry simply means the proper management and care of grain crops from planting until harvest. These are crops that produce seeds used as food, like maize, rice, guinea corn, and millet. Good husbandry involves preparing the soil well, planting seeds at the right time and spacing, removing weeds that compete with crops, controlling pests and diseases, and harvesting when mature. In Nigeria, maize farming is very popular, especially in the northern regions where farmers prepare their fields during the rainy season, plant seeds in rows, weed regularly to prevent crop failure, and harvest the dried cobs for grain. Each cereal crop has specific requirements—rice needs waterlogged soil while millet prefers dry conditions. Following these practices increases yield and ensures food security for farmers and their families.
Pulses are crops that produce seeds in pods, and we eat these seeds as food. They're also called grain legumes, and examples include cowpeas, beans, and groundnuts. These crops are extremely important in Nigeria because they provide protein for our diet and improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
Growing pulses requires well-drained soil with moderate rainfall. Farmers plant them during the rainy season, typically from April to June. The plants need regular weeding in their early stages and benefit from good spacing to prevent diseases. Harvesting occurs when pods dry completely, usually four to five months after planting.
What makes pulses special is that they leave nitrogen in the soil after harvest, making the land more fertile for the next crop. This is why Nigerian farmers often plant cowpeas after harvesting cereals.