Using Scientific Method in Agriculture
Using Scientific Method in Agriculture
Using Scientific Method in Agriculture
2.
3.
4.
5.
Name the steps of the scientific method (in the correct order).
a.
______________________________________________________
b.
______________________________________________________
c.
______________________________________________________
d.
______________________________________________________
e.
______________________________________________________
f.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
b.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
b.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
b.
______________________________________________________
6.
______________________________________________________
b.
______________________________________________________
Well, how was it? Do you think you fared well? Compare your answers with
those in the Answer Key on page 50 to find out.
If all your answers are correct, very good! This shows that you already know
much about the topic. You may still study the module to review what you already
know. Who knows, you might learn a few more new things as well.
If you got a low score, dont feel bad. This means that this module is for you.
It will help you understand important concepts that you can apply in your daily
life. If you study this module carefully, you will learn the answers to all the items
in the test and a lot more! Are you ready?
You may go now to the next page to begin Lesson 1.
LESSON 1
Jose noted that his corn seeds did not become small corn plants, like his
classmates. Their corn seeds had transformed into small plants, complete with
roots and leaves.
Joses setup
no growth
with growth
Jose realized that he might have done something wrong, preventing his corn
seeds from sprouting. He wanted to find out what this was. He went to the library
and read about what makes plants grow. He learned that for plants to grow they
need soil, water and sunlight.
sun
water
soil
Jose thought that his plants must have lacked one of the three factors important
for plant growth. He thought that it could not be soil nor water because he placed
the corn seeds in a glass jar that contained pieces of newspaper soaked in water.
Could it be that his plants lacked sunlight? To find out, Jose prepared two glass
jars with corn seeds in pieces of newspaper soaked in water. He placed one jar
inside his room just like he did with his previous setup. He placed the other jar on
the terrace where there was enough sunlight.
After a week, he checked the two jars. The seeds in the jar he left inside his
room did not sprout but the ones in the jar that he left on the terrace had already
sprouted. In fact, the small corn plants had already grown about 4 inches tall!
no growth
with growth
If you were Jose, what would you conclude from your observation? Jose
concluded that his corn seeds did not sprout because they lacked sunlight. He
reported his findings to his teacher who commended him for his discovery.
Lets Learn
In the preceding activity, you listed the steps that Jose followed to solve his
problem. These steps enabled Jose to arrive at a conclusion, that is, he was able to
identify the cause of his problem and find a solution to it. Jose followed the
scientific method in solving his problem.
Have you heard of the scientific method before? If you have, what do you
remember about it? What do you think being scientific implies? Why is it
important?
The scientific method is a way or method of learning things and solving
problems. It involves a series of steps that are followed when making decisions. It
is a very effective process of coming up with the best decision and solution
possible based on the available information.
The term scientific means of, or employing the procedure or method of
science. Recall the definition of science. Science is a systematized body of
knowledge. Being systematized means being orderly. Science requires that
knowledge be based on facts that have been investigated and established. Facts
are things that are known to exist. The best way to determine if something is
factual is to observe it. A fact is an observable event.
Let us recall the steps that Jose followed in solving his problem. First, he
identified his problem. His problem was, Why didnt my corn seeds sprout?
Next, he thought of possible reasons or solutions to his problem. This is called
making a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a tentative solution or answer to a problem.
He read about what makes plants grow and he discovered that most plants need
sunlight, water and soil to grow. His three hypotheses were:
1. The seeds lacked soil.
2. The seeds lacked water.
3. The seeds lacked sunlight.
Jose ruled out the first two hypotheses because the newspaper soaked in water
substituted for the soil and water. He chose to test the third hypothesisthat the
seeds lacked sunlight. The third step he followed is called testing the hypothesis.
Jose tested his hypothesis by preparing two sets of jars and placing them in
different locations, one exposed to sunlight and one shaded from sunlight.
Testing a hypothesis involves data gathering. Data means information.
Gathering data involves looking for evidence that will either support or reject a
hypothesis. In science, the process of gathering and analyzing data is called
experimentation. Have you conducted an experiment before? Experiments are
basically investigations to come up with a solution to a problem. It is the scientific
method at work. Jose gathered data by observing his two setups and analyzing the
results.
You have just learned the steps followed in the scientific method of problem
solving through Joses experience. Remember these steps well. Are you now ready
to use the scientific method in solving problems in agriculture?
Lets Remember
The scientific method involves a series of steps that one follows to come up
with an effective solution to a problem.
10
LESSON 2
apply the scientific method in choosing seeds that are good for planting;
enumerate the characteristics of good seeds;
know the importance of water and irrigation to plants; and
learn some irrigation techniques.
11
Lets Read
Mang Gusting has just bought a piece of land from a friend. He was glad because
he could now have more rice and earn more.
Now, I wont have to buy
rice anymore.
As soon as
possible.Ican
hardlywait.
Immediately, Mang Gusting bought rice seeds and planted them in his field. He
imitated what other farmers from nearby fields are doing. He was so excited to see
the results of his efforts. After three months, it was harvest time. However
What happened,
Pareng Kanor? I
harvested only a few
sacks. It is much less
than what I expected.
My rice harvest
cannot even cover my
expenses in planting
and maintaining the
ricefield.
What do
you mean,
Pareng
Kanor?
As a farm
technician,
I would
advise you
toplanfirst
and not
simply copy
what other
farmers do.
From what you have learned about the scientific method in Lesson 1, what
could have Mang Gusting done before planting his field?
The scientific method is a very useful tool for farming. Mang Gusting could
have followed the steps of the scientific method to prepare his farm for planting.
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Being a farmer
is not as easy as
it sounds. There
reallyarealot
offactorsthatI
should consider.
I am
overwhelmed.
Lets Learn
Let us help Mang Gusting solve his problem. First, Mang Kanor identified a lot
of possible problems. When using the scientific method, it is important to identify a
specific problem first. Mang Kanor suggested that Mang Gusting should consider
what seeds to plant. Below are the steps to follow when using the scientific method.
Below each step is what Mang Gusting can do. Study these steps carefully.
1. Identifying the problem
Mang Gustings problem is choosing the right type of crops or seeds to
plant on his field.
2. Making a hypothesis
The right crop to plant depends on a lot of factors, such as the special
characteristics of the soil. (For example, some crops grow best in sandy
soil rather than in loamy or moist soil.) Other factors are the temperature
of the environment and the amount of rainfall and water supply that can
affect productivity.
Since other rice fields surround Mang Gustings farm, there is a big
possibility that crops that grow well in the farms nearby would also grow
well in his.
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3. Gathering data
Mang Gusting can ask for seeds from the other farmers and plant these
seeds in his own soil. He can observe the growth rates of the seeds he
planted in his own soil.
4. Analyzing the data
Mang Gusting will compare the growth rates of his plants with those of
the plants in the nearby rice fields.
5. Making a conclusion
Based on his observations and analysis, Mang Gusting can now tell
which type of seeds he should plant in his soil.
6. Making and implementing recommendations
Based on his conclusion, Mang Gusting can now choose the type of
seed he will plant and he can now go about planting on his farm.
Lets Learn
Early next morning, Mang Gusting consulted Mr. Cruz, a farm technician. A
farm technician is someone who can analyze soil characteristics in terms of salinity
(salt content) and acidity. A farm technician can help Mang Gusting choose which
crops are suitable for his field.
Mr. Cruz, I wish you
could help me choose
the right crops to
plant on my farm.
14
Mang Gusting followed Mr. Cruzs advice. He went to the different government
agencies which provided him with some seed samples. He was also able to ask for
some seeds from his neighbors.
Use the scientific method to help Mang Gusting choose which variety of rice will
grow best on his farm. On the lines below, write the steps of the scientific method and
how each method can be applied to Mang Gustings problem. The first step has been
done for you.
1. Identifying the problem: Mang Gusting has to choose which rice variety
from among the six will grow best on his farm.
2. _________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________
5. _________________________________________________________
6. _________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those found in the Answer Key on page 51. Were
you able to help Mang Gusting?
15
Lets Learn
Mang Gusting has finally decided to choose the C-4 rice variety to plant on his
farm. He visited Mr. Cruz once more.
Good for you, Mang Gusting,
I see that you are catching
on quite well.
I have a few
questions
though. Can you
tell me the
characteristics
of a good seed?
Mr. Cruz explained to Mang Gusting the characteristics of a good seed which
are:
1.
water
cotyledon
seed coat
Mechanical scarring
For bigger and thicker seeds, such as anonas, atis and guyabano
seeds, scarring can be done mechanically by rubbing the seeds lightly
with sandpaper. This promotes the development of the embryo within
the seed.
b.
Scalding
Scalding is good for hard seeds with waxy coatings such as atis
seeds. Scalding is done by pouring very hot (but not boiling) water
over the seeds and allowing the seeds to soak until they swell and
sink. The water decreases the waxiness of a seeds outer covering to
enable it to absorb water better.
16
c.
Fire treatment
For very hard seeds such as lumbang and acacia, fire treatment can be
done to promote cracking and seed germination. Place the seeds in a
tray with a depth about twice the diameter of each seed. Place a layer of
dry leaves and small twigs on top of the tray and set on fire for 5 to 10
minutes.
Shown below are the different ways of promoting seed germination.
2. Good seeds must be smooth and harvested from mature fruits. Small
and wrinkled seeds may not contain enough food to sustain their initial
growth.
3. Good seeds are plump, well developed and without insect marks.
Insects often leave scars on seeds. Such seeds seldom bear good
embryos.
4. Good seeds come from good plants. Healthy plants usually bear fruits
with healthy seeds.
5. Good seeds are well stored. Moist, smelly seeds with fungal growth are
usually not healthy.
Mang Gustings healthy rice seeds are plump and even in appearance. Rice
seeds from a good harvest will likely produce good rice later on.
17
18
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 52.
Dont Forget!
For a better harvest, use only seeds from well-ripened fruits of healthy
parent plants that consistently yield high-quality fruits. The parent plant should
be free from disease and insect scars.
Lets Learn
After consulting a farm technician, Mang Gusting went to a certified rice
grower and purchased the rice seeds he needed. He then asked the help of his sons,
Jose and Pong, in preparing the seeds for planting.
Father, what
shall we do
now?
How do we
know when
seeds have
already
germinated?
We are going
to make the
riceseeds
germinate or
sprout,Jose.
What does
germinate
mean, father?
How do Istilldontknow,
we do it, son. Maybe we can
father?
do an experiment to
see what makes rice
seeds germinate.
19
An
experiment,
like what we
do in school?
Im excited
already.
Mang Gusting decided to follow the scientific method. He indicated that he and
his sons needed to find out what makes rice seeds germinate best. He stated that
maybe moisture is needed because water makes plants grow. He tested this hypothesis
by preparing two sets of seeds. One set was soaked in water first, while the other
seeds were placed in a tray and covered with an inch of soil.
After four days, Mang Gusting and his two sons checked the seeds. This is what
they saw.
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2. Collect the seeds and drain the excess water from the container where the
seeds were soaked.
3. Transfer the seeds to a cemented surface and cover the seeds with thick
layers of sacks or damp cloth for warmth. Heat is needed for seed
germination.
4. After three days, the seeds should have already germinated. If the seeds
failed to germinate, further heating may be necessary. This can be
achieved by adding more layers of damp cloth.
5. When the seeds have swollen and started to look like small plants, they
have already germinated.
21
Look,father,the
rice seeds have
germinated!
Lets Review
On the lines provided, write down your answers to the following questions.
1. What does seed germination mean?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
22
Lets Learn
You learned that moisture is needed for seed germination. In this part of the
lesson, you will learn that plants need water to grow and mature. As a farmer, you
should keep in mind that the water that your plants receive has to be regulated.
Water is essential for plants to perform photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the
process by which plants make their own food. Water is also important for
dissolving the mineral nutrients in the soil so that plants can absorb them through
their roots.
What is it?
23
We have to provide
water for our
seedlings to grow
intobigriceplants.
How about
doing another
experiment?
Using the marking pen, label one can Dry, another can Moist and the third
can, Wet.
2.
Plant the rice plants in the cans. The plant in the can labeled Dry should
not be watered. The plant in the can labeled Moist should be watered
until the soil feels moist or damp to touch. The plant in the can labeled
Wet should be watered until the water reaches a height of about 2 inches
above the soil. Place the cans beside one another under adequate sunlight.
Check the plants every day for 5 days. Record the height of each plant each day.
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Plant
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Dry
Moist
Wet
2.
3.
What could be the reasons for the differences in the growth of the three
plants?
Seeds from different plants require different amounts of water to make them
grow best. These differences in water requirement are determined by the structure
and other unique characteristics of the plants. This experiment is one way to
determine how much water is needed by the plants you chose. You may also
consult a farm technician about this.
Lets Learn
Irrigation
If you used rice for the above activity, like Mang Gusting, you will discover
that rice grows best in wet soil. Rice farmers often keep their rice fields wet
through a process called irrigation. Irrigation refers to the regulated water supply
of a plot of land that is available for plants. Rice fields usually require at least 5
inches of water above the soil for optimum plant growth.
25
Other plants may have different water needs. Cacti thrive in deserts. These plants
do not need a lot of water to survive. Garden plants usually need moderate amounts of
water, just enough to keep the soil damp. Kangkong needs muddy water while
seaweeds need to be submerged in salt water to survive.
Why do plants have different water requirements? What is it about these plants
that make them need a certain amount of water?
Plants, like human beings, are different from one another. Each plant has a
structure and function that helps it adapt to its environment. For example, the cacti
in the desert have very thick coverings that prevent water loss. Seaweeds, on the
contrary, have very thin, almost transparent membrane coverings. Their specific
structures make these plants adapt well to their environment.
Since plants have different water needs, there are also many ways of irrigation.
Water can be artificially supplied to plants through the following means:
1. Sprinklers are very useful for places with sandy soil and where the water
supply is limited.
2. Trickle irrigation is the process by which water is supplied to the roots
of the plants from fine plastic tubes or drippers. Fine spray nozzles are
sometimes fitted to give a wider spread of water.
3. Furrow irrigation is the process in which water is channeled toward a
plot of land through a system of canals or furrows. This method is
commonly used in rice fields and orchards and requires a large water
supply.
26
You have studied the different ways of artificially delivering water to plants. The
effective delivery of water to plants is very important in agriculture. The scientific
method can be used to devise ways through which this need is met.
27
Lets Remember
Healthy plants grow from healthy seeds. It is best to choose seeds carefully
before planting. Healthy seeds come from healthy parent plants, are well
stored and appear plump. Also, healthy seeds do not have insect scars and
other signs of infection.
28
LESSON 3
Lets Read
Three weeks have passed and the rice plants were already tall. Mang Gusting
and his sons started to pull out weeds from the rice field. In one part of their field,
Pong noticed that the rice plants were small and pale; their growth seemed to be
stunted. What might have happened?
Father,thericeplants
here look unhealthy.
Do you think they need
something?
I am also
wondering
why, son.
Good morning,
Mang Gusting,
Im here to
visityour
field.
29
Lets Learn
Mr. Cruz was right. Plants need nutrients too. Most of these nutrients are
supplied by the soil. However, the nutrients from the soil may not be enough.
Thats why fertilizers are needed. These nutrients are elements that are essential to
the plants growth. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sodium are just some of
them. If nutrients are lacking, plants will not grow healthy and strong.
There are two main kinds of fertilizers. The first type is called commercial
fertilizer. Commercial fertilizers are chemicals that are produced and sold by a
chemical company. A farmer adds them to the soil to make plants grow faster and
healthier. Commercial fertilizers are readily available. However, since they are
chemicals, they can be harmful to the environment and even to the plants
themselves when not properly applied. They are also more expensive than natural
fertilizers.
30
Natural fertilizers are derived from decayed plants and animal. Decomposing
plants, animal manure and vegetable refuse can be made into a compost. A
compost is a layered heap of decayed organic matter.
kitchen wastes
leaves
hay
straw
If you would like to find out more about preparing compost, you may study
the module on composting. Compost and other natural fertilizers are preferred
because they are inexpensive and effective. However, natural materials need to
undergo decomposition first and hence, may take time to prepare. Handling them
can be quite messy too.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
31
Whether natural or commercial, fertilizers are mixed with the soil where plants
grow. Plants will absorb the nutrients supplied by these fertilizers and use these for
growth.
Thanks for telling me
aboutfertilizers,Mr.
Cruz. I will use them
to make these
unhealthy rice plants
grow stronger and
faster.
When Mang Gusting identified his problem of choosing which type of fertilizer
to use for his rice field, he decided to use the scientific method and find out for
himself.
Pong, I want to
know which
fertilizerisbetter
forourplants.
I have a suggestion,
father. Why dont we use
small portions of our rice
field to conduct an
experiment?
32
Maybe we can
choose the
portion with
thesickly
plants.
Ithinkthat
would be
great!
So, what
should we
do now?
Letsdividethispartofthefieldinto
two. Let us use a commercial fertilizer
on one part and a natural fertilizer on
theother.
Iagree,father.The
commercialfertilizer
worked as well as the
naturalfertilizer.That
means we can use
naturalfertilizers
instead of expensive
commercialfertilizers.
That way, we can save
money.
Mang Gusting and Pong were able to arrive at a decision because they used the
scientific method. Can you identify the steps they took? What did you learn from
them?
Mang Gusting first identified the problem: which type of fertilizer is best for
their plants. They conducted an experiment by dividing a small portion of their rice
fieldthe one with the unhealthy rice plantsinto two. They added a commercial
fertilizer to one portion and a natural fertilizer to the other. The rice plants in both
areas showed the same degree of improvement. Mang Gusting and Pong concluded
that since both fertilizers are effective, they would use the cheaper natural
fertilizer. Through the scientific method, Mang Gusting and Pong were able to
come up with an effective solution to their problem.
Farming requires a lot of decision making. Mang Gusting and Pong were able
to make a sound decision because they followed the scientific method.
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2.
3.
compost
vegetable refuse
chemical
animal manure
6.
fertilizer
water
seed
irrigation
5.
sodium
glucose
phosphorus
both a and c
4.
water
nutrients from the soil
sunlight
shade
germination
composting
irrigation
sprouting
easier to prepare
less expensive
less harmful to the environment
does not need to be decomposed
34
7.
8.
added to water
added to the soil
sprinkled on plants
irrigated
commercial fertilizer
irrigation
natural fertilizer
insecticide
Compare your answers with those found in the Answer Key on page 52. Did
you get everything right? If you did, thats good! If not, thats okay. Just review the
parts of the lesson that you did not understand very well before moving on to
Lesson 4.
Lets Remember
Plants need nutrients from the soil in order to grow. Some of these
nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. However, the
soil may not be able to provide all the nutrients that plants need. Hence,
farmers need to fertilize the soil.
35
LESSON 4
Lets Learn
Mang Gusting was very happy with his rice field. He applied the scientific
method in choosing the seeds to plant and in irrigating the field. He was also able
to choose an effective and economical fertilizer that is best suited to his plants.
36
While waiting for the rice plants to be harvested, Mang Gusting decided to raise
vegetables in his backyard. His family invited Mr. Cruz again to help them in
gardening. Aling Tinay, Mang Gustings wife, was very eager and excited to start
the project.
Icantwaitto
harvest the
vegetables from
my own garden.
What
vegetables do
you intend to
plant?
Im thinking of
planting
tomatoes,
eggplants,
cabbages and
pechay.
As soon as possible.
I want them all
growing at the same
time.
I would like to
tell you what I
learned from my
own vegetable
garden.
In this lesson, you will learn how to use the scientific method in getting the
most from the soils potential or farming through crop rotation. Crop rotation is a
system of alternating the types of plants to be grown in a plot of land. This allows
the soil to recover its lost nutrients. Crop rotation is the regular succession of
planting crops for two or more years.
37
Lets Read
I also have a
garden at home. I
planted a lot of
vegetablesinit.
Like eggplants
and tomatoes?
What happened?
What
could be
the
reason?
From Mr. Cruzs story, can you see how he used the scientific method in solving
his problem with his garden?
38
After answering, compare your answers with those found in the Answer Key on
page 53.
Lets Learn
Mr. Cruz was able to discover crop rotation in his garden by using the
scientific method. Let me tell you more about crop rotation.
Plants get their nutrients from the soil. Remember what you learned about
fertilizers? Fertilizers are needed because the soil can lose its nutrients.
The soil loses its nutrients because of soil erosion. Another factor that can
reduce soil fertility is the type of crops that are planted in the soil. Study the three
types of vegetables on the next page.
39
Leaf crops are soil robbers. Vegetables with large leaves, such as mustard,
cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce, take away a lot of nutrients from the soil.
Legumes are soil enhancers. Beans such as peas, peanuts and mungo give back to
the soil the nutrients used up by other plants. The bacteria that infect the roots of
these legumes fix nitrogen, that is, they convert nitrogen from the air into nitrogen
compounds that can be used by plants. When the legume dies, it releases the stored
nitrogen as it decomposes. Thus, the released nitrogen enriches the soil.
Root crops are hardy plants. Tubers such as ube and cassava do not require many
nutrients from the soil to survive. Carrots and turnips are root crops too. These are
planted when the soil has not yet fully recovered its nutrients.
40
In crop rotation, the crops planted in a plot of land are alternated. Soil robbers are
alternated with soil enhancers to allow the soil to recover its lost nutrients. This way,
plants will grow healthier and yield more produce. Also, rotating crops will help
control the pests and insects in the area since each one prefers a specific type of
plant. Changing crops can limit the number of harmful organisms present in a farm or
garden.
A typical crop rotation program would be:
First year
root crops
legumes
leaf crops
leaf crops
root crops
Second year
legumes
legumes
root
crops
leaf crops
root
crops
legumes
Study the map of your own garden. Where are the roots crops located? Where
can you find the legumes and the leafy crops? Based on these, determine the
possible nutrient level in the soil where each type of plants is located. You can
then plan your own crop rotation program based on the map.
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Type
Carrot
Cabbage
Root crop
Bean
Camote
Pechay
Legume
Peanut
Onion
Ampalaya
Leaf crop
Squash
Pea
Compare your answers with those found in the Answer Key on page 53. Did
you get a perfect score? If you did, thats very good! If not, thats okay. Just review
tha parts of the lesson that you did not understand very well. Afterward, you may
move on to Lesson 5.
Lets Remember
There are three main types of vegetable crops based on their effects on
the soil. These are the leafy crops (soil robbers), root crops (hardy plants)
and legumes (soil enhancers).
42
LESSON 5
In this lesson, you will learn contour planting. Like what you learned in the
previous lesson, the scientific method can also be applied to address Mang
Gustings problem.
Lets Read
If you were Mang Gusting, how would you use the scientific method in solving
the problem of erosion on his hill? Recall the steps of the scientific method and
study the story on the next page.
43
My problem is how to
prevent the rain from
eroding my hillside
farm. I think a way to
prevent this is to plant
different crops on each
terrain. This is what my
neighbors do.
How is your
farm going,
Mang
Gusting?
44
Lets Learn
This is what Mr. Cruz told Mang Gusting:
Farmers usually plant on terrain that is not flat like rice fields. However, when
farmers plant on hillsides where the terrain slopes (slants upward and downward),
contour farming is recommended.
Contour farming is a farming technique applied on sloping land. It is very useful
for farms on the sides of a hill or a mountain. Contours are areas in the field having
the same elevation. Study the diagram below. The different contours are marked.
Trace the contours with your finger. Did you notice that the hill has different
contours? Different contours make elevated farms more prone to erosion. To solve
this problem, planting a row of crops on a contour and planting a different crop on
another can be done. Study the picture below. Notice how the different contours
are planted with different crops.
45
Cover crops have wide root systems and are usually not tall. They reduce erosion
by holding the soil in place especially during heavy rainfall. Aside from this, they
cover the soil from the heavy impact of rainfall. They slow water down as it goes
down the sides of a hill. Their roots bind the soil together and when they decompose,
they add nutrients to the soil. Study the picture of a cover crop below and imagine how
it protects the soil from erosion.
46
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 54.
Lets Remember
Cover crops are low-lying plants that have expansive root systems. They
prevent erosion by holding soil in place, shielding it from rainfall and
lessening the impact of water as it flows down the slopes from an elevated
field like a hill.
47
Well, this is the end of the module. Congratulations for finishing it! Did you
enjoy studying this module? Did you learn a lot from it? Below is a summary of its
main points to help you remember them better.
Lets Sum Up
This module tells us that:
The scientific method is a series of steps that one follows when solving a
problem or making a decision. These steps are:
a.
b.
Making a hypothesis
c.
Gathering data
d.
e.
Making a conclusion
f.
b.
Irrigation
c.
d.
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Compare your answers with those found in the Answer Key on page 54. If you
got 5 or 6 items right, congratulations! You are now ready to use the scientific
method in solving problems not only related to agriculture but to other situations as
well.
If you got a lower score, thats okay. You should just study this module again
more carefully.
49
Answer Key
A. Lets See What You Already Know (page 2)
1.
2.
3.
4.
a.
b.
Making a hypothesis
c.
Gathering data
d.
e.
Making a conclusion
f.
a.
b.
a.
b.
a.
b.
5.
6.
a.
b.
B. Lesson 1
Lets Try This (page 6)
1.
He thought that maybe his corn seeds lacked sunlight and this
prevented them from growing.
2.
He made two setups of corn seeds inside jars. He placed one under
sunlight and the other inside his room.
3.
4.
Jose concluded that his seeds did not grow because they lacked
sunlight.
50
2.
3.
Making a conclusion
4.
5.
Making a hypothesis
6.
Making a hypothesis
7.
8.
Making a conclusion
9.
10.
C. Lesson 2
Lets Try This (page 15)
(Answers will vary. The following are sample answers.)
1.
Identifying the problem: Mang Gusting has to choose which rice variety
from among the six will grow best in his field.
2.
Making a hypothesis: One of the six rice varieties will grow faster than
the rest.
3.
Gathering data: Mang Gusting can divide his plot of land into six areas
for planting the six rice varieties. He can visit the field every day after
planting the rice varieties and note his observations.
4.
Analyzing data: Mang Gusting can now carefully study his observations.
5.
Making a conclusion: The C-4 rice variety grew the fastest and yielded
the most rice. Therefore, Mang Gusting can say that this rice variety
will grow best in his field.
6.
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d
d
a
c
b
a
b
c
52
E. Lesson 4
Lets Try This (page 39)
Other answers are possible. Below are some suggested answers.
Steps of the Scientific Method
2. Making a hypothesis
3. Gathering data
4. Analyzing data
5. Making a conclusion
Type
Carrot
Cabbage
Bean
Root crop
Camote
Pechay
Peanut
Legume
Onion
Ampalaya
Squash
Leaf crop
Pea
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F.
Lesson 5
Lets See What You Have Learned (page 47)
2. Making a hypothesis
3. Gathering data
4. Analyzing data
5. Making conclusion
54
Glossary
Agriculture The study and discipline of cultivating plants for human use and
consumption.
Biology Study of life and living things.
Commercial fertilizers Fertilizers made and sold by chemical companies.
Compost Layered heap of decayed organic matter that can be used as a
fertilizer.
Conclusion A reasoned judgment based on data gathered and analyzed.
Contour farming Farming technique used for sloping land; involves planting
different types of crops for each contour to prevent erosion.
Contours Areas in a field that have the same elevation.
Contour strip farming Alternating cover crops between contours.
Cover crops Low-lying plants such as grasses and legumes, with wide
extensive root systems that protect the soil from erosion.
Crop rotation A system of alternating the types of plants to be grown in a
plot of land.
Data Facts; information.
Decomposition Process of breaking down plants and animals.
Experimentation The process of gathering and analyzing data based on
observations.
Fertilizers Substances that, when added to soil, provide additional nutrients
that plants need.
Furrows Small canals.
Germination Development of the embryo inside a seed.
Hypothesis A tentative solution to a problem.
Irrigation A man-made system of providing adequate and regulated water
supply to plants.
Leaf crops Plants that are leafy and rob the soil of nutrients.
Legumes Beans and related plants that give back nutrients to the soil.
Method A way of doing things.
Natural fertilizers Fertilizers derived from plants and animals.
Photosynthesis Process by which plants make food using sunlight.
55
Root crops Tubers and hardy plants that do not require much nutrient from the
soil.
Scalding Pouring hot water over something.
Science Systematized body of knowledge.
Scientific method A series of steps used in solving problems and coming up
with decisions.
Tubers Plants whose roots are used as food, such as camote and cassava.
56
References
Agricultural Studies Curriculum Committee. Agricultural Studies Stage 1.
Australia: Education Department of Southern Australia, 1977.
Bailey, John. Limiting Factors. Canberra, Australia: The Curriculum
Development Centre, 1979.
. Managing Soil Fertility. Canberra, Australia: The Curriculum
Development Centre, 1979.
Bautista, Oelia K., et al. Tropical Crop Production. Los Baos, Laguna:
Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, UPLB.
Eligio, Danilo T. and E.M. Ricamonte. Agriculural Arts for Secondary
Schools. Philippines: Mercantile Inc., 1980.
Horticulture Student Resource Handbook. 2nd ed. Australia: Education
Department of Western Australia, 1983.
57