By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

An agricultural economist, Adedapo Emmanuel Alawode,has advanced the reason for effective use of pre-emergence herbicides,often arranged as the foundation of herbicide-based weed management systems,noting that effective use of the products is essential to protect crops’s production and minimize selection pressure for herbicide-resistant weeds.

The agricultural expert added that in an ideal situation, applying pre-emergence herbicides immediately after planting would make for the greatest likelihood of maximum performance. However, he said “this equally depends on the availability of equipment and labour.”

He recalled that farmers are always eager to have their crops in the ground at the approach of any rainy season,often with preparations for high-yielding seeds,after clearing of the land upon which the seeds can be planted.

The Osun State-born agricultural expert,in what he, tagged:”Resilient Agriculture:Crops that Flourish in Early Rainy Seasons”, acknowledged that pre-emergence herbicides operations have been found indispensable in the modern agricultural system.

“At the approach of any rainy season, farmers are eager to have their crops in the ground. There are often preparations with high-yielding seeds, clearing of the land upon which the seeds can be planted and, depending on the soil type, fertilizers can also be applied to crops before planting, in what we call pre-planting operations.

“Yet, pre-emergence herbicides are arranged as the foundation of herbicide-based weed management systems, and effective use of these products is essential to protect crops’ production and minimize selection pressure for herbicide-resistant weeds. In an ideal situation, applying pre-emergence herbicides immediately after planting would make for the greatest likelihood of maximum performance, but this equally depends on the availability of equipment and labor.

“The above operations have been found indispensable in the modern agricultural system. Let us clarify in specifics that applying fertilizers prior to seeding or planting is referred to as pre-plant fertilizer application. This practice can help bring soil nutrients to an adequate level and ensure that the crop has a sufficient pool of nutrients to use at the time the nutrients are required.

“Compared to other fertilizer application methods it is easy to apply and fertilizers can be uniformly spread over the field. The amount of fertilizer to be applied as a pre-plant application depends on the soil nutritional status, soil texture and the properties of the nutrients to be applied.

“So, in general terms, the production of crops is influenced by many pre-planting treatments such as: nitrogen irrigation, nitrogen fertilizers as well as cattle manure, gibberellic acid, sulfur and thiourea. In fact, they improve protein expression patterns, leading to an increase of yields,”he said.

He explained that the trigger for his explanations, emerged from his interaction with a friend “who complained of the complaints from his farmer-relatives at home concerning the scarcity of rain at the beginning of the season.”

“The people had made all preparations, and the rain began as expected but ceased, only to continue afterwards with the spitting kind of rain that made the farmers skeptical about early planting. Fear not, for there are several crops that can be planted at the beginning of the rainy season, even with limited rainfall. Indeed, there are drought-tolerant crops for early planting that farmers must be aware of to avoid unnecessary delays. One of those crops is Millet; a hardy crop that can survive with minimal rainfall,”he said,describing millet as a staple food in many parts of the world and can be used to produce porridge, bread, or even beer. “It is also high in nutrients and can be used accordingly as a nutritious feed for livestock,”he added.

“Behaving like millet is Sorghum; a cereal crop that is highly adaptable and can tolerate drought, making it an ideal choice for early planting. Sorghum is commonly used to make flour, animal feed, and even biofuel. And as in the case of millet, it can equally be used to produce porridge, bread, or even beer. It is also relatively pest- and disease-resistant, reducing the need for pesticides and other chemicals.

“A legume known as Cowpea is also known for its ability to flourish in dry conditions and can be planted as soon as the rains begin. It is an excellent source of protein and can be used in a variety of dishes. Cowpeas are also nitrogen-fixing; besides its definition as a  bean-family plant that is grown in warm regions for food, it is also known for its soil-improving function.

“Another one is Okra; a popular vegetable can be planted early in the rainy season and can tolerate some drought. Okra is a nutritious addition to many dishes and can be used in soups, stews, or as a side dish. It’s also a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber.

“Melon can equally be a good crop for planting at the beginning of the rainy season, provided the soil is warm and well-draining. Some types of melon, such as watermelon and cantaloupe, are relatively drought-tolerant and can thrive in warm weather with adequate moisture.

“While cassava typically requires more water than other crops, some varieties can be planted at the onset of the rainy season. It is such a ubiquitous root crop that can be boiled, roasted, fried, or made into flour. Cassava is also a good source of carbohydrates and can be used to make a variety of products, including starch, animal feed, and bio-fuels,”he said.

According to him,”Planting these crops at the beginning of the rainy season can have a significant economic impact on farmers and the broader community.”

“By getting a head start on the growing season, farmers can increase their yields and enhance crop quality, leading to higher incomes; reduce their reliance on imported food products, improving food security and reducing trade deficits; create jobs and stimulate economic activity in rural areas, contributing to local economic development, and improve their resilience to climate change and weather-related shocks, thereby reducing the need for costly emergency assistance,”he further explained.

According to him, “In spite of certain challenges such as soil degradation and erosion, pests and diseases that can affect crops, and limited access to markets and other resources, among others, to consider in the cultivation of crops at the beginning of the rainy season, there are opportunities for farmers to improve their livelihoods and contribute to food security.”

To this end,he has advised farmer to choose the right crops and using best practices to reduce their risks and increase their yields just as he said by adopting drought-tolerant crops and best practices, farmers can reduce their risks and improve their livelihoods, contributing to food security and local economic development.