Introduction to Staking in Agriculture.
Today, we will be discussing the reasons for staking in agriculture. However, before we look into this topic, let’s first explain what staking is.
Staking is an agronomic practice that involves providing support to the cultivated crops. This structural support, enables plants to position their leaves for better photosynthesis and improve the quality of fruits and leaves of crops.
Similarly, it involves inserting a pole close to a plant to support it from bending and breaking while it grows (National Open University of Nigeria, 2021).
Staking crops is important on the farm because it provides climbing crops with the ability to grow without bending and breaking, which can halt or delay their growth.
Moreover, whenever a growing plant breaks, it may serve as an avenue for disease infestation and may eventually lead to serious problems on the farm.
Additionally, staking crops like watermelon, pumpkin, and tomato fruit can help prevent rot and damage of fruit by pests, if they are allowed to rest on the ground.
Providing adequate support to crops enables them to grow upward, and receive the necessary sunlight required for optimal growth.
Staking is particularly necessary for creeping crops such as yams, tomatoes, fluted pumpkins, tomatoes, cowpeas, and cucumbers.
The materials used for staking crops are Bamboo sticks, small tall trees, and twine. In areas where staking materials are difficult to source, twine may be a better option.
In the rainforest zone, where there is heavy rainfall and boisterous wind, it is important to use strong materials and ensure that the staking materials are well driven into the soil to withstand strong winds and the weight of the crop.
Read Also: Top 11 Roles of Science and Technology in Agriculture Nigeria.
Reasons for Staking in Agriculture
The reasons for staking in agriculture cannot be overemphasized in ensuring the optimal performance of crops.
The West African Examination Council has itemized some of the reasons for staking in Agriculture to be:
Increase in Yields
When crops such as tomatoes, cucumber, yam, and pumpkin plants are staked, they give higher yields. Increases in yield, particularly enable farmers to maximize profit.
Staking enhances the position of crops for better photosynthesis, prevents crops from weed competition, and allows for better exposure to wind.
These factors contribute to increased yield of crops. Photosynthesis, particularly plays a significant role in influencing the yield of crops.
Exposes Leaves or Stems to Sunlight or Photosynthesis
Staking involves positioning the leaves or stems in a way that will allow them to receive adequate sunlight for photosynthesis.
Sunlight is crucial for the survival of crops, as no plant can survive without it.
Through photosynthesis, plants can convert solar energy into chemical energy which is needed for producing food and can lead to increased growth and development of plants.
Provision of Strength to Climbing Crops
Climber crops such as tomatoes, peas, yams, cucumbers, and fluted pumpkins have weak stems and require support for growth.
As the crop trills around the pole, it forms a strong bond with the pole, providing the plants with the strength to grow without bending, logging, and breaking.
Reduces Fruit and Vine Damage
Staking is vital to prevent crops from pest infestation. When fruits and vines are left creeping on the ground, they become an easy target for rodents such as mice, cane rats, lizards, aphids, and beetles which easily damage them.
Staked crops have enough space for expansion, making fruits and vines look healthy and bigger. On the other hand, fruit from unstake crops may look dirty, smaller, and bruised.
Staking, not only ensures that fruits are protected from damage but also helps to maintain market value.
Whenever fruit are allowed to run on the ground, the plant vine, flowers, and fruit are susceptible to damage which can reduce the market value of the fruits.
Additionally, If the plant vine gets damaged, the plant may stop growing and may eventually die off. Therefore, staking is an essential practice that will help prevent damage to fruits and vines.
Create Avenue for Air Circulations in the Farm
Staking provides an avenue for adequate air circulation on the Farm, air circulation on the farm favours crop pollination.
Flowering crops such as watermelon, tomatoes, and fluted pumpkin bear a reasonable amount of flowers and give higher yields when staked than unstake.
Stake crops have well-positioned leaves to receive dew deposit to withstand moisture stress and increase crop water needs by increasing Evapotranspiration.
Create Rooms for Easy Access In the Farm and Aid Harvesting
This is one of the reasons for staking in agriculture. Staking is to prevent crops from obstructing the free movement of people and equipment on the farm.
When crops are left Unstaked, they entangle with each other which hinders effective movement around the farm and makes harvesting difficult.
However, staking can help improve farm sanitation, facilitate access, and ease the harvesting process.
Reduce the Spread of Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases of crops spread faster when crops are in contact with each other. Raindrops or splashes can easily spread diseases from an infected plant to a healthy one.
However, staking raises plants above the ground levels, which helps to prevent the spread of pests and diseases to the leaves and fruits through rain splash.
Opportunity For Farmers to Carry Out Other Agronomic Practices on the Farm
When plants are staked, it becomes easy for farmers to carry out weeding, watering, and spraying of insecticides, and control disease on the farm.
Staking also provides farmers with easy access around the farm, making it convenient for farmers to carry out other agronomic practices on the farm.
In Conclusion
Crops such as yam, tomatoes, cucumber, and fluted pumpkin yield higher when staked. Various research has shown that staking increases the quality and quantity of crops.
Some of the reasons for staking in agriculture as discussed above are, to increase yield, reduce the spread of pests and diseases, and reduce fruit and vine damage.
Although staking takes energy, time, labour, and resources, the advantages of staking far outweigh the disadvantages. It is crucial to stake climbing crops for better quality and increased market value.