Strand: Cycles Sub-Strand: Crop Production

B9.2.3.1 Show an understanding of differences in maturities of different crops grown in different soils and
different seed beds
Content
Standard: B9.2.3.2 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of uses of different crops at different maturity stages

B9.2.3.1.1 Observe and describe differences in Performance Indicator: Learners can identify the
maturation of crops grown in different soils growth stages of plants.
Indicator (s)
and on different seed beds
B9.2.3.2.1 Observe and record the uses of
different crops at different maturity stages.
B9.2.3.2.2 Evaluate the importance of
knowledge of maturity stages of different crops
to human beings

Week Ending 26-01-2024

Class B.S.9 Class Size: Duration:

Subject Science

Reference Science Curriculum, Teachers Resource Pack, Learners Resource Pack, Textbook.

Teaching / Chart, Poster, Pictures, YouTube Core Competencies: Critical Thinking and
Learning videos Problem Solving
Resources Communication and Collaboration.

DAY/DATE PHASE 1 : PHASE 2: MAIN PHASE 3:

STARTER REFLECTION

TUESDAY Discuss with 1. Assist Learners to explain how soil types affect the growth Learners
the learners of crops. brainstorm to
about the 2. Discuss with the Learners about the differences in maturity identify ways of
meanings of stages among the different crops on different soils and seed improving soil
“Soil’ and “Soil beds. fertility to
Profile”. 3. Using a Poster displaying the meaning of “Organic matter”, support plant
explain the concept of organic matter to the Learners. growth.

How To Improve Different Soil Types Exercise;

You can enhance ground quality and plant growth in different What is Organic
soil types using amendment techniques suitable for the soil Matter?
type. Improvement practices include adjusting the soil pH level,
drainage, moisture retention, and adding specific organic
amendments. The advantage of amendments is that they
incorporate free or inexpensive supplements, such as green
manure, compost, leaves, and grass clippings, improving any soil
type for plants.

The Best Soil Types For Farming

 Any farmer will tell you that the best type of soil is the one that
yields a plentiful harvest with the least amount of tillage and
fertilizer applied. But do the best types of soil exist? Both
scientists and growers agree that loam is the easiest to work
with yet the most fertile. Because of its precisely balanced
composition of 40% silt, 40% sand, and 20% clay, loamy soil
maximizes positive effects while utilizing each component’s
most outstanding qualities.

However, there is no need to feel down about any type of soil.

Knowing the soil types you are working with allows you to make
the best possible amendments and choose the plants that
produce the most fruit. Whether it is loam, sand, or any other
type, it is still required to cultivate and keep an eye out for any
changes

THURSDAY Using a Chart, 1. Discuss with the Learners about the growth stages of maize Reflect on the
explain the and beans. growth stages of
different 2. Assist Learners to germinate seeds of maize and beans and plants.
stages of plant observe its growth stages every day and ensure they irrigate
it. Exercise;
growth.
3. Assist Learners to compare and contrast the maturity stages Explain the
of crops and seedlings of the germinated maize and beans. growth stages of
Corn Growth Stages Plants.

Growth stages are bundled in two categories: Vegetative growth

stages and Reproductive stages. As I describe each of these stages I
will put them into perspective of how timing, watering and
temperature can affect the final yield.

Vegetative Growth Stages

The Vegetative Growth Stages consist of the Emergence Stage, the

Leaf Stages and the Tasseling Stage:

· Emergence Stage (VE)

· nth Leaf Stage (Vn)
· Tasseling Stage (VT)
Emergence Stage (VE)
During this stage most of the growth remains below the soil
surface. This protects the seed from potential late frost. Soil
moisture is important but more importantly is the timing of the
planting, the later the planting the lower the yield
potential. Below is a chart of general planting dates. These
dates will vary as you move north and south of the Corn Belt.

Effect of Planting Dates on Corn Grain

Yield

Planting Yield (%)

Date Potential
1-May 100
5-May 97 Good
10-May 94 Planting
15-May 91 Range
20-May 88
25-May 86
30-May 83

Leaf Stages (Vn)

The leaf stages are based on the number of leaves (n) on the
corn plant. Each leafing stage carries its own significance, I have
selected the leafing stages that represent tipping points in the
plants potential yield.

V5 – Occurs 14 days after Emergence. Cooler soil

temperatures will delay the plant from reaching this
stage as well as delaying tassel formation. It will not
affect yield, it could lead to a late harvest and a
potential of frost damage before harvest.

V9 – Occurs 28 days after Emergence. Flooding at this or

earlier stages is a concern as it can kill the plant within
a few days. Flooding at later stages is less detrimental
because most of the growing is above ground.

V15 – Occurs 56 days after Emergence. Moisture is critical

from the V6 – V15 stage. Extended drought can
reduce the yields by as much as 25%.

Tasseling Stage (VT)

The tassel is completely visible when the plant has reached its
full height and will begin to shed its pollen. Hail damage is more
 serious at this time than any other growth period.

Reproductive Growth Stages

There are six stages to the Reproductive Growth Stages:

· Silking
· Blister
· Milk
· Dough
· Dent
· Maturity

Silking (R1)
Occurs about 3 days after the Tasseling Stage. Silk is visible
outside the husk. Falling pollen grains are captured by the silk
and grow down the silk.

Blister (R2)
Occurs 10 – 14 days after Silking. Between the final growth
stage and Blistering moisture is critical. Drought conditions can
reduce yield potential by as much as 50%, or 6% per day during
a drought.

Milk (R3)
Occurs 20 days after Silking. Stress effect is less now. Kernels
are beginning to yellow outside and contain a milky white inner
fluid (80% moisture level).

Dough (R4)
Occurs 26 days after Silking. Kernels begin to gain in dry weight
and size and have a ‘doughy’ consistency. An early frost at this
stage can be detrimental to the crop with a potential loss of
50%.

Dent (R5)
Occurs 36 days after Silking and should finish about 48 days
after Silking. The kernels begin to dry and have a dented
appearance. Stress at this point will reduce kernel weight but
not kernel number. Frost is the major concern because it can
stop dry matter accumulation and cause premature black layer
formation, reducing yield.

Maturity (R6)
Occurs 55 days after Silking. All kernels have attained maximum
dry weight. Husks and many leaves are no longer green.

Corn Grain Frost Injury Yield

Reduction
 Day
s
afte Days
Kernel Kernel r to Yield
Developm Moist Silki Matur Reducti
ent ure ng ity on
Dough 70% 26 31-37 35-50%
Dent 50% 36 20-23 10-20%
Mid-Dent 40% 48 10-12 4-5%
30 -
Maturity 35% 55 0 0%

Critical Points of
Growth

Tippin Time
g from
Emerge
Points nce Concerns
Late frost will not
damage plant potential
V3 9 - 12 yield
Cooler soil
temperatures will slow
growth, potential for
V5 14 - 21 late harvest
Flooding up until this
stage can kill a plant in
V9 28 - 35 a few days
Drought conditions
from V6 - V15 can
reduce yields up to
V15 56 - 63 25%
Water is still critical
Tasseli and hail can lead to
ng (VT) 60 - 67 pollen damage
Silking
(R1) 63 - 68 Water is critical
Drought conditions
from V15 - Blister can
Blister reduce yields up to
(R2) 73 - 78 50%
Milk
(R3) 83 - 88 Water is critical
Dough Frost can reduce yields
(R4) 89 - 94 by 35 - 50%
 Dent 99 - 104 Drought conditions
(R5) from Blister - Dent can
reduce yields up to
25% . Frost can reduce
yields by 4 - 20%
depending on level of
dent
Maturi 118 -
ty (R6) 123

FRIDAY Review 1. Discuss with the Learners about the maturity determination Through
Learners of plants. questions and
knowledge on 2. Learners brainstorm to identify the maturity signs of plants. answers,
the previous 3. Assist Learners to explain the uses of each maturity stage of conclude the
lesson. different crops to humans, other crops, animals, and the lesson.
environment.
4. Discuss with the Learners about the differences in maturity Exercise;
stages among the different crops on the different soil media
and seed beds. State the
maturity stages
Different Stages Of Plant Growth of crops and
The phenomena that occur at all stages of plant growth and their uses.
development, from seed germination through plant collapse,
are known as phenological events and are studied by
phenology. Due to the long history of the topic, the diversity of
scientific methodologies, and the wide range of possible
applications, there is no one agreed-upon way to identify the
various stages of plant growth. Some approaches are
straightforward and broad in scope, while others are
comprehensive and specific. However, at this time, the BBCH
method is widely employed in smart farming and recommended
by the vast majority of scientists working to establish a link
between phenology and industrial agriculture .
In the BBCH scale , plant development is broken down into
principal and secondary plant growth stages, both numbered 0–
9. To avoid substantial shifts from the phenological approach
widely used earlier, BBCH adopted a decimal code based on the
well-known Zadoks cereal scale. The following are ten stages of
plant growth in the BBCH scale:

1. germination;
2. leaf development;
3. formation of side shoots;
4. stem elongation;
5. vegetative plant parts;
6. inflorescence emergence;
 7. flowering;
8. fruit development;
9. ripening;
10. senescence.

Since the duration of the growth stages of a plant and the

phenological events within each vary significantly between
species, scientists build comprehensive scales for each species
individually. The standard BBCH scale is used for any species
that lacks a dedicated scale or serves as a framework within
which individual scales can be developed. Let’s take a close
look at the ten basic stages of plant growth by the BBCH scale
and what they imply for farmers.

Stage 0: Germination, Sprouting, Or Bud Development

Despite their distinct biological processes, germination,
sprouting, and bud development were all lumped under the
same primary plant growth stage. Depending on the type of
crop , growth phase 0 can last anywhere from a few days to a
few weeks. At this point in the plant’s development, the seed
has sprouted and produced what are called “seed leaves,”
which are easily distinguished from the mature leaves.
Primarily, the germination and budding stage of plant growth
requires the right temperature and oxygen levels. Additionally,
it depletes the nutritional reserves of plants, potentially
leading to nutrient deficiency without additional fertilization. A
state of dormancy is often needed beforehand.
At growth phase 0, the crop constantly requires water to
kickstart a healthy metabolism. In some cases, watering is also
necessary for removing a germination inhibitor from the seed
(especially for desert annuals) .
How does the plant growth stage influence insect damage?

At different stages of growth, plants are vulnerable to different

pests. In contrast to wireworms, which eat seeds before or just
after they germinate , earwigs tend to feed on young shoots,
foliage, and flowers.
Stage 1: Leaf Development
The leaf’s photosynthetic power is the foundation upon which
the entire plant builds. Thus, stage 1 of plant growth is essential
for the crop’s normal development. All the plant nutrients by
this stage of growth will help it through the next phases of its
development. Thus, fertilization is essential.

Stage 2: Side Shoots Formation Or Tillering

Tillering is the plant growth stage during which new aerial
shoots form. Rather than spreading out like rhizomes and
stolons, tillers grow vertically. The outcome is a considerable
rise in the number of new shoots occurring immediately
adjacent to the initial shoot. “Daughter plants” occasionally
refer to the new shoots that develop from the “parent plant.”

Stage 3: Stem Elongation Or Rosette Growth And Shoot

Development
Some parts of the plant, like stems and roots, keep growing
throughout the plant’s life: this process is called indeterminate
growth. New cells are produced at the tips of growing shoots.
Growth in stems occurs at many different sites, unlike just a few
in the root system.

Stage 4: Development Of Vegetative Plant Parts Or Booting

The development of strong stems and plenty of green leaves
characterizes the vegetative stage of plant growth. These
processes are critical because photosynthesis relies on sufficient
leaf surface area to absorb light. Notably, healthy leaf
development usually follows strong root growth.
Stage 5: Inflorescence Emergence Or Heading
Inflorescence emergence is the process by which a cluster of
flowers is arranged along a floral axis. Heading refers to the
process by which a seed head emerges from the sheath formed
by the flag leaf. The fact that this is the start of the reproductive
growth phases is the unifying factor that groups these two
different biological processes into one phase of plant
development.

Stage 6: Flowering
During growth stage 6, flowering plants create the reproductive
structures necessary for sexual reproduction. Annuals only live
for one year, and their flowering and subsequent demise
coincide. In biennials, the first year is spent in the vegetative
phase, and the second is devoted to flowering and dying. Most
perennials will continue to bloom every year if the conditions
allow.