Terminology around crop management can be confusing. Some crops do best when they are planted as seeds while others are more successful when planted as seedlings, tubers, cuttings, creepers, or many other presentation (which we collectively refer to as “seedling or planting stock” in LiteFarm). These presentations also introduce complexity around whether something is being “planted” or “transplanted” if it’s not a seed. The purpose of this document is to highlight some of the key terms we’ll use in crop management plans and narrowly define them. It should also help clear up the timeline that most crops will proceed through in their life cycles.
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Q: Is a user likely to transplant a cover crop?
A: Likely? No, Is it possible, yes. I know there are types of trees that people use as green manures, which might be considered a cover crop, that they would transplant. Example: Leucaena leucocephala
LEAp: Some examples in Brazil of cover crops that are bought as seedlings and then planted. Couldn’t give any examples of transplants!
Q: For a seedling that will be planted and then transplanted, do we need all 4 planting methods for the transplant task or only in ground and container?
A: All 4, no. If you are transplanting, you are not broadcasting. But I could see a farmer using rows to plant a various fruit trees, though they could just as easily use “in ground”, which then asks, do they need both options?
LEAp: Broadcast doesn’t make sense. Everything else could apply.
Q: Will cover crops always be seeded or could they be planted as seedling or planting stock as well?
A: I think there are cases where a cover crop could be transplanted and don’t see the value in limiting the user by not allowing them to indicate that.
LEAp: Not usual, but possible - we’ll keep it. I showed them David’s example of Leucaena leucocephala and this prompted some discussion of local similar crops: palma, nopal.
Q: What planting methods apply to cover crops?
LEAp: Not broadcast.
Q: For crops denoted as “In the ground”, will they be transplanted?
A: Not sure I understand this question.
LEAp: Yes!
Q: Should a user document the (historical) planting method when creating a crop management plan for something already in the ground?
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Against: Not immediately useful - may not know. Should just ask for estimated yield (optional) instead.
A: I’m in favor of making it an optional question, as all farmers joining LiteFarm will have stuff in the ground, be it perennials or annuals, and for the crops that they do know the answer, it might be nice to document, but if they don’t, it’s not an issue.
LEAp: Having both and leaving it to the user would be best.
Q: Will wild crops ever be transplanted?
A: Yes, though what is the definition of “wild crops” here? If I have an avocado tree and some of the unharvested fruit goes to seed on the ground, is that a “wild crop”? Because I could easily see a farmer transplanting various crops based on this situation. Or only if avocado is native to my area?
LEAp: Yes! From natural areas to a field or from off the farm. Very common in agroforestry. What’s even more common is that someone will take seeds or cuttings from the “mother tree” and move them to your farm. In this case it wouldn’t be a transplant.
Q: Will wild crops be on locations on the map or in surrounding areas or both? If surrounding areas, enough to just know it’s “off farm” or should we drop a pin?
A: Both. I see the value in being able to drop a pin. Especially if someone wants to assign a task to a worker and they can indicate where the wild crop is.
LEAp: Very common to collect from off farm sources. Mostly collecting seeds rather than seedlings.
Q: For transplanted wild crops what planting methods are reasonable?
A: Everything except broadcast.
LEAp: All except broadcast.