UC3-Core-Caring and maintaining crops

Stopping or pinching is the removal of the
terminal bud at the tip of the stem. This makes
the side shoots grow stronger and gives a
bushier plant. Tomatoes, basil and cucumbers
can be trained this way.

Thinning is the removal of some fruit, so that those left are bigger and of better
quality, because they have more room to grow,
and receive more nutrients, water and light. You
can do this by hand, or by using tools called
thinning shears. On commercial orchards, growers
use special chemicals to thin the fruit. This is done
with many fruits including apples, pears, stone fruit
and grapes. Root vegetable like carrots are also
thinned so they have more space to grow and less
competition from other plants

Pruning is the removal of parts of a plant.
This is done to:

 control the shape of the plant
 improve flowering or fruiting
 make it easier to harvest fruit.

Reference:
1. HT1101.Plant Management-plant Training

2. Horticulture.tekura.school.nz>plant-management-1

SELF-CHECK 3.5-4

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MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the letter of your answer based on your knowledge,
understanding and experienced, write the letter of your answer on the answer

sheet provided for.

1. It is the removal of some fruit, so that those left are bigger and of better

quality, because they have more room to grow, and receive more nutrients,

water and light.

a. Disbudding c. thinning

b. Pruning d. stopping

2. The removal of lateral flower buds from a plant. This is done on carnations

and chrysanthemums to help long stems develop.

a. Plant growth training c. thinning

b. Disbudding or pinching d. plant management

3. It is one management practice carried out to control the shape, size and

direction of plant growth.

a. Plant growth training c. plant management

b. Plant support or staking d. disbudding or pinching

4. The removal of the terminal bud at the tip of the stem. This makes the side

shoots grow stronger and gives a bushier plant. Tomatoes, basil and

cucumbers can be trained this way.

a. Pruning c. thinning

b. Plant growth training d. stopping

5. It is the care and protection of plants so they grow successfully.

a. Plant management c. plant management

b. Disbudding or pinching d. plant support or staking

ANSWER KEY 3.5-4

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1. C

2. B
3. A

4. D
5. A

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JOB SHEET 3.5-4

Title : PERFORM PLANT GROWTH TRAINING

Performance Objectives:
Given an area planted with vegetable, you should be able to

perform plant growth training according to crop requirement.

Materials /Supplies : vegetable area, tying materials

Tools/Equipment : cutting tools, pruning tools

Steps / Procedures:

1. Proceed to the vegetable area and check the available crops and their
growth requirements

2. Proceed to the tool room and prepare the necessary tools to be used.

3. Use the appropriate tools and materials for the activity

4. Perform plant growth training according to plant requirement.

5. Make a final check of the appearance of the plant after the activity

6. Implement 5’s on the work area and tools after using.

Assessment Method:
Demonstration with questioning

Trainer’s Name;__________________________ Date:__________________

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Performance Criteria Checklists 3.5-4

DID I….

Criteria YES NO
1. Conduct ocular inspection on the vegetable area and the

crop requirements ?

2. Prepare the necessary materials and tools needed in
performing the activity?

3. Use the appropriate tools and materials for the activity ?

4. Perform plant growth training according to plant
requirement?

5. Check the appearance of the crop after the activity?

6. Implement 5’s on the work area and tools after using.

Comments / Suggestions:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Trainer’s name;___________________ Date:________________

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INFORMATION SHEET 3.5-5
MULCHING TECHNIQUES

Objectives:

After reading this information sheet the trainees must be able to;
1. Know mulching techniques
2. Perform mulching techniques

Introduction:

Mulching is the process or practice of covering the soil/ground to make more

favorable conditions for plant growth, development and efficient crop production.
Mulch technical term means ‘covering of soil.

Mulch is any material that is spread or laid over the surface of the soil as a
covering. It is used to retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, keep the soil
cool, prevent frost heaving in winter, and make the garden bed look more

attractive. Organic mulches also help improve the soil’s structure, drainage, and
nutrient-holding capacity as they decompose.

BENEFITS OF MULCHING
1. Mulching is not an expensive process. In fact, it is quite efficient and

practical when you consider its many benefits. When quality mulches
cover the soil, they prevent the loss of soil moisture as by reducing

evaporation. They increase water infiltration while also preventing soil
compaction due to dryness.
2. Mulches also control the germination and growth of weeds and inhibit the

spread of soil-borne diseases. These mulches can also serve as insulation
to stabilize the soil temperature and protect the roots from extreme
temperatures during summer or winter.

3. When you use organic mulches, these will eventually decompose and
improve the fertility of the soil. Mulches on your landscape are beautiful to

look at. It can add to the aesthetics while also making your garden look
well taken care of.

TYPES OF MULCHING

 Organic mulching: Organic mulch will decompose and have to be replaced,
but in the process, it will also improve your soil’s structure and its organic
content. The dryer and woodier the mulch, the slower it will decompose
and the fewer nutrients it will give to the soil.

 Inorganic or Synthetic Mulching: Synthetic and inorganic mulches do a
good job of holding moisture and blocking weeds. They don’t add any
nutrients to the soil, but they don’t decompose quickly or require replacing
as often as organic mulches. However, as plastic decomposes, it's

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detrimental to the soil and the environment. Likewise, landscape fabric
allows weeds through as it decomposes after a few years.

Kinds of Organic Mulch
 Bark, Shredded or Chipped –are best used around trees, shrubs, and in
garden beds where you won’t be doing a lot of digging, like front
walkways and foundation planting

 Grass Clippings Grass clippings are a mixed bag and are best suited to
remote areas of your garden where you want
to suppress weeds. Grass clippings, like
most green plant debris with high water
content, decompose very rapidly, and
in the process, they can get somewhat
slimy with an unpleasant odor, so use
with discretion.

 Newspaper Newspaper as mulch is becoming
more and more popular. Most newspapers
have switched over to organic dyes, especially
for their black & white sections. Shredded
newspaper has been used for years to keep
plant roots moist while shipping. Layered sheets
of newspaper also have great moisture retention
abilities, and they act like other organic
mulches asfar as suppressing weeds and controlling soil temperatures.

 Shredded Leaves Shredded leaves are nature's favorite mulch. They can
be used as mulch anywhere and have the added bonus of being free.
You will also entice more earthworms to your garden soil. Some
gardeners don’t like the look of leaves in their garden, and they probably
aren’t appropriate for a formal setting

 Straw and salt hay are popular mulches for the vegetable garden. They
keep the soil and soil-borne diseases from
splashing up on lower plant leaves and
make paths less muddy. Straw decomposes
very slowly and will last the entire growing
season. It also makes a nice home for
spiders and other beneficial insects who
will move in and help keep the pest
population in control.

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TYPES OF INORGANIC OR SYNTHETIC MULCH
 Black Plastic are good choices for around foundation plantings and
other shrubs and trees. These plants don’t
require
frequent fertilization and, for the most
part, you won’t be working in these beds
regularly, so you don’t want to have
to worry about weeding them throughout
the summer

 Landscape Fabric are good choices for around foundation plantings and
other shrubs and trees. These plants don’t require frequent fertilization
and, for the most part, you won’t be working in these beds regularly, so
you don’t want to have to worry about weeding them throughout the
summer.

 Stone/Gravel Gravel and stone work well as mulches in areas that
require good drainage or beds with plants
hat like a little additional heat, like
Mediterranean herb gardens and rain
gardens. Stone is hard to remove, so
give it a lot of thought before using
stone or gravel as a mulch.

HOW TO INSTALL PLASTIC MULCHING
1. When to Apply
 Apply after hilling-up
 Apply at least 3-5 cm thick

 If plastic mulch, apply before
transplanting

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Application of Plastic Mulch
 Make canal on both ends of the bed
 Spread the edge of the mulch in the canal & cover with soil

 Stretch the plastic very well

 Twist the center of the center of the bamboo stick
 Clip both edge of the mulch

References:

1. www.jkcooper.com.au>What-is-Mulching
JKCooper (Updated February 28, 2017

2. www.gardeningknowhow.com>...mulch

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By: Darcy larum (April 3, 2018)

SELF-CHECK 3.5-5

MATCHING TYPE: Match Column A with Column B, write the letter of your
answer on the answer sheet provided for:

COLUMN A COLUMN B

1. Mulching a. use in areas that require good drainage

2. Mulch b. natures favorite mulch

3. Organic mulching c. practice of covering the soil/ground

4. Inorganic or synthetic mulching d. improves soil structure

5. Shredded leaves e. any material that is spread in the soil

6. Straw and hay f. good in holding moisture and blocking

Weeds

g. popular mulches for the vegetables

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ANSWER KEY 3.5-5

1. C

2. E
3. D
4. F

5. B
6. G

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Title : JOB SHEET 3.5-5

APPLY MULCHING MATERIALS TO VEGETABLE CROPS

Performance Objectives:

Given an area planted vegetables, you should be able to perform
mulching activity according to types of crops

Materials /Supplies : vegetable area/mulching materials
Tools/Equipment : digging tools
Steps / Procedures

1. Proceed to the vegetable area and conduct an ocular inspection of
the crop

2. Decide what method of mulching materials to be used according to
the type and requirement of crops

3. Prepare the necessary tools and mulching materials to be used
4. Perform mulching activity
5. Check the output of the activity
6. Implement 5’s to the tools after using.
Assessment Method:
Demonstration with questioning

Trainer’s Name_________________________ Date:___________

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Performance Criteria Checklists 3.5-5

DID I…. YES NO

Criteria
1. Conduct an ocular inspection of the area and the

types of crops planted

2. Prepare the necessary tools and mulching materials
according to the type and requirement of crops

3. Perform mulching activity using the appropriate
mulching materials

4. Check the area after the activity

5. Implement 5’s to the tools after using.

Comments / Suggestions:
______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Trainer’s Name :_______________________ Date:________________

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END

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