Post-planting refers to the operations carried out on a farm after planting crops. These operations are essential for enhancing the growth and performance of crops. Post-planting operations include activities such as thinning, supplying, mulching, manure/fertilizer application, weeding, control of pests and diseases, harvesting, processing, storing, and marketing.

Post-planting cultivation is one of the post-planting operations that can help producers avoid excessive dependence on herbicides and provide excellent weed control between the rows. However, there are risks associated with post-planting cultivation, such as reduced crop residues, increased soil erosion, soil compaction, soil moisture loss, higher fuel bills, and increased weed problems.

Other post-planting operations include:

• Thinning: This is the removal of extra seedlings from a stand to give room for others to grow. The weakest plants should be carefully pulled up without damaging the remaining ones. Thinning reduces overcrowding, prevents crops from competing for light, water, and nutrients, and improves plant vigor.

• Mulching: This is the covering of the soil surface with materials such as dry grasses, leaves, crop residue, sawdust, and straw wood shavings to prevent evaporation of conserved water and weed growth. Mulching regulates soil temperature, prevents erosion, adds nutrients to the soil, and suppresses weeds.

• Supplying: This is the replanting of seeds to replace those seeds that failed to germinate due to dead seeds and diseased seeds. The failed seeds must be replaced to have an adequate number and population of plants on the farm.

• Staking: This is the process of providing support for plants that are unable to stand on their own. Staking helps to prevent the plants from falling over and breaking.

• Pruning and trimming: This is the removal of unwanted parts of the plant such as dead or diseased branches, leaves, and stems. Pruning and trimming help to improve the plants health and appearance.

In summary, post-planting refers to the operations carried out o...