Question

State and explain the factors considered when determining spacing of crops in the field.

Answer 1

1. Soil fertility status.-crops can be spaced wider if the soil is infertile and closer of soil is fertile.
2. Soil moisture rainfall in the area – Drier areas require wider spacing than wet areas.
3. Machinery to be used in subsequent farm operations.-A crop whose operation will be given a wider spacing to allow for movement, of machinery that which will be manually transferred.
4. Intended purpose of the crop.- Crops grown as fodder for annual can be spaced c loosely.eg maize for silage is spaced closer than that grown for grains.
5. Growth habit/size/suckering/tilling % of the crop. – P plants that tiller or produce suckers or those that occupy a wide area should be widely spaced. Those that grow upward require closer spacing.
6. Cropping system – whether pure stand or mixed stand. Wider spacing is required for a crop to be interplant than in a pure stand.
7. Height – Shorter crops require narrower spacing than taller crops.
8. Number of spacing per hole- If more seeds are planted per hole the spacing should be wider than fewer or one seed planted per hole.