AGRICULTURE - Crop Production and Management

Explore the impact of agronomic factors on field vegetable, salad, and fruit crop production. Learn about critical factors in crop management and production, and analyze machinery and storage requirements. Understand the importance of balancing quality, production, and sustainability in agriculture.

AGRICULTURE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................1
1. Assess the agronomic factors in the production of field vegetable, salad and fruit crops in integrated
and sustainable farming systems.............................................................................................................1
2. Evaluate critical factors in the management and production of vegetable, salad and fruit.................7
3. Analyse the machinery and storage requirements of vegetables, salad and fruit crops.....................10
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................12

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Integrated and sustainable farming..............................................................................................2
Figure 2: Radiation balance illustration.......................................................................................................3
Figure 3: Flow diagram of key factors determining the supply of water to an irrigated crop.....................5

INTRODUCTION
Crop production and development has consideration of natural hazards, environmental conditions and
quality in soil and other resources so that desired production can be achieved. In order to achieve quality
along with high production, it is essential to understand several factors those work on the crop during
development and plantation. The report will discuss various agronomic factors in the production of field
vegetables, salad and fruit crops in which main focus is given on mango and celery crop. Both crops will
be discussed for their requirements for high production and quality. Environmental conditions like
temperatures and quality of soil, water, pests, and fertilizers will be discussed. Management and
production process of crop and its outcome will be discussed in which various factors will be discussed.
Impacts on production and management through harvesting process and field practices will be discussed.
Machinery and storage process and requirements will be discussed for mango and celery crop with
consideration of conservation of quality and neutrality.
1. Assess the agronomic factors in the production of field vegetable, salad and fruit crops in integrated
and sustainable farming systems
Mango and celery have the impact of agronomic factors on the production in the field. Crops in fields
need adequate environmental conditions so that process from plantation to growing can be managed
effectively to achieve the quality outcomes. Perennial cropping systems can be changed according to
demands to achieve quality results from the agronomic factors and their in-depth knowledge.
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Figure 1: Integrated and sustainable farming
Growing cycle and growing period
It can be defined as the period of a crop including time to plant, establish, produce and harvest. Growing
cycle of the crop is normally from six months to many years. Mango can be considered under the plants
those take a long time to complete the mature state. Such plants have high growing cycle and growing
period. Growing period can be defined as the time taken to grow for food and other products from the
plant. At other Celery has small growing period and cycle which support integrated and sustainable
farming as there is less impact of climate change and air quality besides of soil management and crop
nutrition. Therefore, sustainable farming has consideration of the time and period to achieve the
potential outcomes from the crop (Agronomic factors, 2018). However, it has the impact of water and
weather conditions to ensure that crop has the outcome in defined time.
Radiation
Radiation levels have the influence on the sustainable cropping system as the day length and intensity of
light in the day has the impact on the crop to achieve growth during productions. Radiation in the field is
determined on the basis of soil and environment in which crop is being developed. It is essential to
develop celery like crops in constraint and integrated environment to achieve maximum quality and
productivity. At another side, photosynthesis process of the crop might vary so that radiation should be
managed for desired production (West et al, 2012). High radiation can damage crop whereas low
radiation can mitigate the speed of development. Mangoes have demanded low radiation as there is high
need of water in the initial stage of development but later, it has need of evaporation and transpiration at
the mature stage to develop flower and fruits. It is essential to manage the radiation levels on the crop to
achieve high quality and productivity. Therefore, the balance of radiation is essential to achieve on
mango and celery.
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Figure 2: Radiation balance illustration
Temperature
The crop has the influence of temperature on the production as the real-time availability of water, air and
other developing conditions from the environment can support production to a high degree. Mango has
need of sustainable temperature at developing stage. Later at fruit time, the plant can bear high
temperature for some time. It also has need of evaporation in the air for quality productions. At another
side, celery has the main requirement of cold and water as high temperature can burn the leaves.
Therefore, sustainable climate conditions and the temperature are essential for crop development in
integrated and sustainable farming system (Mueller et al, 2012).
Rooting
The crop has need of water and nutrition those are mainly collected from the soil through roots.
Therefore, it has an impact on crop quality and production in term of outcomes. Deep rooting can
provide more water and sustainable temperature to crop but it can decrease production. It is essential to
understand that celery has less need of rooting and it has a dependency on the surface for temperature,
oxygen, nutrition, pest implication and penetration in soil (Welch, 2012). At other side, roots of mango
have the in-depth touch to soil and have need of more water and temperature sustainability from the
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entrainment. Rooting has an impact on growth period and time to achieve the desired level of
production.
Aeration
It is essential in celery crop that soil is mixed with air so that it can be refreshed for next crop. Before to
plant celeries in fields, it is required that aeration in soil is effective. In summers, fields can be cultivated
to ensure that lower layer of field is brought to top and nutrition is mixed. At another side, production of
mango has main requirements of liquidated aerations. It has an impact on the crop for the growth and
production. Oxygen collected is essential components on which durability and quality of crop can be
visualized (Guo et al, 2012). Celery has aeration from the environment in the form of gas whereas
mango uses soil as well as air for effective aeration. Nitrogen and other fertilizers can be used
effectively to improve production.
Water quantity
Water stress level and quantity can be balanced to achieve high production and quality. Rain has the
main contribution to achieving the growth and production of plants. Availability and quality of water
have the impact on the crop for sustainable development and integrated farming. Higher availability of
water to mango can damage the roots and production cannot be achieved (Knox et al., 2012). At another
side, lower availability of water with impure quality can damage the leaves and plant become dry.
Celery has a high need for water so that it cannot bear the lack of water for survivability.
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Figure 3: Flow diagram of key factors determining the supply of water to an irrigated crop
Nutrients
Two things related to nutrition have the impact on crop production, nutrient, and fertilizers. Mango
needs the high amount of nutrients in term of nitrogen and potassium to achieve production and growth.
Celery has fewer requirements in for nutrients and fertilizers. Nutrients impact the plant for sustainable
production. Integrated farming has focused on the less use of fertilizer in the soil to promote natural
growth and high-quality production (Balemi and Negisho, 2012). However, it is true that a cycle in
crops and use of biomaterial can support high quality, but overall production is less in comparison to
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artificial nutrients given to plants. A proper balance is required to achieve high performance and
conserves natural resources and soil.
Salinity
It means to the amount of salt in the soil which has an impact on production and development of the
crop. Salinity can be defined as the required amount of salt in the soil to achieve output with a specific
crop. If it is high, then it can prevent the crop to produce high output and quality. Also, the lower
amount can damage the crop before maturity time. It helps to increase the temperature of the soil and
reduce the nutrients in soil those can prevent to achieve crop (Shrivastava and Kumar, 2015). Therefore,
celery and mango need a sustainable environment where a salt amount is neutral or less significant.
Sodium quantity
Growth and production of celery and mango have impact of sodium elements in soil and fertilizers. It is
required to have enough amounts of exchangeable sodium percentages in the soil to achieve high
production and quality. However, the production of mango has less requirement of sodium. Soil quality
and other natural resources should be preserved to achieve sustainable and integrated farming (Knox et
al., 2012). Therefore, agronomic factor for sodium in soil is estimated below ten percentages to achieve
the desired production.
Micronutrients, pH and toxicities
Acid elements in soil have to be balanced to achieve high production. It is required to ensure that pH
level of soil is under control. Acid rains are the main influence on the crop as it can damage the leaves
and root for the growth. Micronutrients also required to be balanced in the soil for sustainable
production. Higher toxicities can prevent cycle crops and reduce the fertility of the soil. Celery and
mango have requirement of balanced soil for integrated farming.
Pests, diseases and weeds
The higher amount of weeds can prevent the crop to achieve nutrients and water from the soil. It also
can block the crop to achieve proper sunlight for growth. Photosynthesis and another process with
environment might be affected by the crop. Celery which has smaller height cannot generate high
production when it is crowded by weeds. Such unnecessary plants also consume natural resources and
prevent the production and quality (Flint and Van den Bosch, 2012). Diseases on mango and celery can
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enforce the damage of plants. Disease of leaves can affect photosynthesis process on crop, and it might
become dull to develop. Pests are essential to take a ride on disease and weeds in fields but also required
to ensure that they have minimal impact on soil and water used in fields. Sustainability is essential to
achieve the use of pests in fields for both crops.
Flood, wind, storm and frost
There are various natural hazards those can impact the production from crops. Celery and mango need
sustainable and stable environmental conditions to grow and develop. Flood can damage celery crop as
it has less rooting in soil. At another side, the wind has minimal impact on celery due to the flexible
trunk. Storms can uproot the crops if mango has lower penetration in soil at the initial development
stage. Also, the strong trunk can damage the crop. Winds and storms can break the fruits from the plant
so that high quality and productivity might be affected (Balemi and Negisho, 2012). Frost is essential to
support development and production of celery. Therefore, hazards and conditions impact the crop for
production. Sustainable and suitable conditions are required to achieve high output. Integrated and
sustainable farming has to consider the use of water and energy as effective sources for cropping. Soil
quality and conservations are essential to achieving the production.
2. Evaluate critical factors in the management and production of vegetable, salad and fruit
There are many factors present in the environment which leads to increase and decrease in production of
vegetables, salad, and fruits. There are many factors present in agriculture field which affect the
management and production of vegetables, salad, and fruits but each factor can or cannot be in control
of farmer. Some factors are natural, and some can be man-made (Basche et al, 2016). The natural factors
occur through changes in the environment which are not controllable by human beings while the factors
caused by human activity are known as man-made factors. Let’s discuss some of the critical factors for
production process:
Weather
The factor which leaves a great impact on the production is weather conditions. Every category of fruits,
vegetables, and salads requires different weather conditions, and if the weather is not suitable, it will
cause damage to the crops. The study and research of scientific field explain that every crop has its
features to grow up and if those features are disturbed the crops will not grow well. Weather conditions
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can be heavy or less rainfall, drought, and frosts which can affect the management and production of
crops (Canter, 2018). By following the integrated approach of production, the crops can be prevented
from bad weather conditions, and they are protected from destruction.
Mangoes are cultivated in South Africa, and the Mediterranean climatic conditions should vary from
very hot and humid to cool and dry weather. Mangoes require very less rainfall to grow as the trees can
tolerate different weather conditions. Celery is a crop which can be grown inside or outside the house
(Lizumi, 2015). This crop requires a lot of water to grow particularly in dry and humid weather. Celery
is grown throughout the year, and particular attention should be given in hot weather.
Farms capacity
Every crop needs different quality and quantity of soil to grow better. The capacity of the farm's
production will depend upon the fertility of land and soil. Fertilizers and nutrients when adding up to the
soil will increase the productive capacity and scope of the soil for growing different types of crops. For
growing root vegetables the clay soil is very useful as the soil retains water and helps the crops to grow
faster.
Mango trees can be grown on different types of soil; there is no such soil specification needed to grow
mango trees. However, the best-suited soil condition will be that the soil is loose and of the crumby
structure as it will prevent root penetration. These types of soils are normally related to clay soil. Mango
trees grow well where the soil is in depth and of the sandy structure. Celery grows in marshy soils and
the soil with some salt content which is found near coastal regions. Therefore, we can analyze that
different crop needs different soil structure and quality to grow faster.
Equipment and technology
Equipment and technology play a very important role in management and production of crops. The areas
which lack in equipment and technology also lack in agriculture productivity. But the involvement of
these two demands a large amount of capital investment. Presence of good equipment makes the
production work easy and comfortable. The new technology helps in good cultivation and irrigation
methods which save time and effort of the farmers (Peterman et al, 2014).
Mango and celery can be produced in the same production system as both require less care and more
water. Mango and celery are the agriculture crops which can be easily managed and produced with the
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help of technology and equipment. Mango does not require enough care and can be easily grown as
compared to celery. Celery requires care and concentration on its growth and production.
Demand and supply
The crops are grown by demand and supply factors of the market. The farmer will grow crops as per the
requirement of the market and will adjust their activities according to the needs of the customers.
Demand and supply cause great impact on the production of agriculture in the country, as this will also
affect the prices of the crops and quality should not be compromised to achieve customer satisfaction.
The integrated approach for the production should be followed by as sometimes the farmer suffers loss
due to the demand and supply factors of the market. As a result, the government offers the subsidy to the
farmers to recover their losses and continue with the production process (Breeze et al, 2014). The
demand for mangoes is high in summer season as compared to any other season and the supply is also
managed according to the demand. The production of mangoes is more to complete the demand in the
summer season (Burfeind and Bartusch, 2015). Demand of celery continues for 12 months in every
season. Therefore the production of celery is carried out for 12 months as there are equal demand and
supply of the celery.
Market
To succeed in agriculture field one of important factor is to analyze the market. The level of market and
the society will decide the need for vegetable and fruits. The only production is not the criterion for
successful agriculture. According to change in area and society, the need will also change of vegetables
and fruits. Mango of good quality will be demanded by high society people and vice versa. Some of the
conditions which can affect market are:
• Religion – The religion affects the demand of vegetables as vegetarian and non-vegetarian people
have different demands.
• Health reasons – The people who are health conscious will opt for healthy food instead of calorie
food.
• Changes in society – The class of the society will affect the need for the vegetables and crops. Lower
class people may not be able to afford high prices of mangoes as compared to high-class society.
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Therefore, we can analyze that the market conditions will affect the need for the production and
management of vegetables, salad, and fruits.
Capital requirement
In production system capital is the main concern of the farmers for production of agriculture as they do
not have required capital to produce the different types of crops at a time. As per the selling of the crops,
farmers will receive their return on investment, and they will carry on the production process. They face
difficulty in management of the crops because they do not have storage management facility for the
crops. Due to high-interest rates the farmer’s regrets to borrow the money and therefore they have the
little capital reserve with them (Chen, 2014).
Mango and celery both the crops do not require large capital appreciation, and the farmer does not have
to wait long for the return on investment. Therefore, these can be grown very quickly and easily which
requires less effort and saves time. Both of these crops do not require marketing expenses to be incurred
as they are common and have more demand in the market.
Therefore, by above discussion, we can conclude that there is the presence of some of the critical factors
for the management and production of vegetables, salad, and fruits where some can be avoided, and
others cannot be avoided.
3. Analyse the machinery and storage requirements of vegetables, salad and fruit crops
Machinery and the storage area are the two main requirements of production of crops. The crops grown
will require machinery for cultivation and building for storage. The construction of the building should
be planned according to the type of vegetable or crops grown considering the weather conditions. To
develop the storage area to achieve the quality of crops to be stored should be determined and
accordingly the area is constructed keeping in mind the future requirements also.
Government plays an important role in providing machinery for the production and management of
crops. The agriculture field requires heavy machinery for the cultivation of crops and making the land
fertile. The government emphasizes on the purchase of machinery through subsidiary and loan on fewer
interest rates to improve the human resource technology in production (Bochtis et al, 2014). By
providing education about the new techniques to the farmer’s government make the farmers expert in
testing the methods used in the production system. The storage area should be well constructed
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according to the type of crops and the climate suitable to them as different crops need different climatic
conditions to stay fresh.
Farming activities are different in all countries. U.K is also famous for its farming activities as it uses
new technologies for the production and manufacture of crops. Mango and celery are grown in U.K. by
creating the storage facilities with required temperature which will maintain freshness of the vegetables
and fruits. In future U.K. will become famous for growing many of the main crops through the use of
latest technology and equipment (Hoy et al, 2014). Day by day the new machines are being introduced
for the cultivation facility easy maintenance of the vegetables. The government of U.K. has initiated the
effort of pest control to protect the crops from getting damaged, and they try to focus on organic farming
which avoids the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
Therefore, we can analyze from the above study that the basic need of agriculture and production is
machinery and storage. Before starting the production process, we need to build the place for the storage
of the crops as per the requirement and rules specified by the government (Reganold and Wachter,
2016). The machinery should be of latest technology which will enhance the production.
CONCLUSION
From the report, it has been concluded that each crop has own requirements to achieve outcome and
quality. It is also concluded that quality and production should be balanced with conservation of
resources for sustainable and integrated farming. The report has been concluded that agronomic factors
on the crop can impact the production in the integrated and sustainable environment for farming. The
report has been discussed that environmental conditions, temperature, soil quality and water quantity
have impact on the crop for production. Also, various other factors on production and management of
the crop in the field have been discussed. It is determined that a sustainable environment is required to
achieve high quality and production from the crop. Influencing factors should be balanced to achieve
growth and production. Machinery and storage related requirements should be determined to achieve
desired production and management of crops.
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Online
Agronomic factors, 2018 [Online] [Accessed Through]
<http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5648e/x5648e0e.htm> [Accessed On: 31th January, 2018]
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