Cereal Crops – SS2 Horticulture and Crop Production Lesson Note (Third Term)

Cereal crops are members of the grass family grown for their edible seeds, called grains.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define cereal crops and name the four main cereals grown in Nigeria.
2. Describe how maize is planted, spaced, fertilised and harvested.
3. Distinguish upland rice from swamp rice and explain nursery and transplanting.
4. Explain why sorghum and millet suit hot, dry areas.
5. State the best soil, planting method and major pest of each cereal.
6. List the general rules for growing and handling cereals.

What are cereal crops?

Cereal crops are grasses grown mainly for their starchy grains, which are staple foods in Nigeria.

• Staple food: cereals are eaten every day and supply energy (carbohydrate).
• Main cereals in Nigeria: maize, rice, sorghum and millet.
• Other cereals: wheat, barley and oats, grown mostly in cooler climates.
• Food uses: ogi (pap), tuwo, fura, jollof rice and boiled or roasted corn.
• Other uses: animal feed (especially maize), brewing and starch making.

How are the main cereal crops grown?

There are four main cereals in Nigeria: maize, rice, sorghum and millet, and each has its own growing method.

How is maize (corn) grown?

Maize is the “king” of cereals because it grows almost everywhere in Nigeria, from the humid south to the dry north.

• Land preparation: clear the bush and make heaps or ridges, because maize loves loose soil.
• Planting: plant 2 to 3 seeds per hole at a depth of about 3 cm to 5 cm.
• Spacing: 75 cm between rows and 25 cm between plants.
• Fertiliser: apply NPK 15:15:15 about 2 weeks after planting.
• Harvesting for grain: harvest when the silks turn brown and the husks are dry.
• Harvesting for fresh corn: harvest when the cob is full and milky.

How is rice grown?

Rice is the “celebration crop”, and it is harder to grow because it needs a lot of water.

What are the types of rice?

There are two types of rice grown in Nigeria: upland rice and swamp (lowland) rice.

• Upland rice: grows on normal dry land with good rain.
• Swamp (lowland) rice: grows in “paddy” fields covered with shallow water.

What are the steps in growing rice?

1. Nursery: sow the seeds in a nursery bed.
2. Seedling care: raise the seedlings for 3 to 4 weeks.
3. Transplanting: move the small seedlings into the main field.
4. Weeding: weed at least twice so that grass does not “choke” the rice. This is the hardest part of rice farming.
5. Bird scaring: birds love rice, so farmers stand in the field to scare them away when the grains are forming.
6. Harvesting: use a sickle to cut the stalks when the grains turn golden brown.

How is sorghum (guinea corn) grown?

Sorghum is the “tough guy” of the cereals because it survives in very hot, dry areas where maize would die.

• Where it is grown: it is very popular in Northern Nigeria.
• Land preparation: similar to maize, but it can grow on less fertile soil.
• Planting: by “broadcasting” (scattering the seeds) or in rows on ridges.
• Thinning: pull out the weak seedlings where too many grow in one spot, so the strong ones have space.
• Storage: it stores very well in traditional granaries or silos because the grains are hard.

How is millet grown?

Millet is the “fastest” cereal, ready in just 60 to 90 days.

• Hungry season: its short growing time helps farmers before other crops are ready.
• Climate: it thrives in the driest parts of the Savannah.
• Cultivation: it is often intercropped with cowpea or sorghum.
• Processing: after harvest, the grains are beaten (threshed) to separate them from the heads.
• Dehusking: the grains are then pounded in a mortar and pestle to remove the husks.

Why do sorghum and millet suit hot, dry areas?

Sorghum and millet suit hot, dry areas because they tolerate drought and grow well on poor soil.

• Drought tolerance: they yield grain where rainfall is low and maize would fail.
• Poor soil: they grow on less fertile and sandy soils.
• Short season (millet): it matures in 60 to 90 days, before the rains stop.
• Hard grains (sorghum): they store well in the dry north.

How do the four cereals compare?

The four cereals differ in best soil, planting method and major pest, as the table shows.

What damage do these pests do?

• Stem borer: the larva tunnels inside the maize stalk and weakens the plant.
• Maize weevil: it attacks maize grains in storage.
• Birds: they eat the grains of rice as they form.
• Rodents: they eat rice grains in the field and in the store.
• Striga (witchweed): a parasitic weed that feeds on sorghum roots and takes water and nutrients.
• Grasshoppers: they eat the leaves of millet.

What general rules apply to all cereals?

The general rules for cereals cover timing, weeding, pest control and drying.

1. Timing: plant as soon as the rains are steady.
2. Weeding: never let weeds grow bigger than your crops, because weeds steal the nutrients meant for your grains.
3. Pests: watch for insects. Holes in the leaves may show that a stem borer is hiding inside the stalk.
4. Drying: dry grains thoroughly in the sun before bagging them. Wet grains grow mould and “heat up” in the bag.

Teacher’s classroom activity

Students identify the four cereal grains by touch and sight.

1. Bring four small transparent jars to class.
2. Put maize in the first jar, rice (paddy) in the second, sorghum in the third and millet in the fourth.
3. Let students touch and feel the difference in size and hardness.
4. Ask each student to name a grain without looking at the label.

Evaluation

1. What are cereal crops? Name four cereals grown in Nigeria.
2. State the planting depth and spacing for maize.
3. Explain how rice is planted differently from sorghum and millet.
4. Why is millet useful to farmers during the “hungry season”?
5. Why should grains be dried in the sun before bagging?

Assignment

Write short notes on upland rice and swamp rice, then name the major pest of each of the four cereals in the comparison table.