PPA 601 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT1 FIELD OBSERVATION GROUP MEMBERS; SAINIMERE VOSARE 2015128390 SIMIONE BAKANI 2010002282 SELOTIA TAUSI 2015131185 SHIMAL CHAND 2014120326 SITIVENI YABAKI 2014119996

INTRODUCTION The field observation that we did at the crop farm was basically looking at the three crops which are; cucumber, pumpkin which are also known by the scientific name, cucurbits and sweet potatoes(Ipomoea batatas). The plants in the family of Cucurbitaceae are grown around the tropics and in temperate areas, where those with edible fruits were among the earliest cultivated plants both in the Old and New Worlds. The Cucurbitaceae family ranks among the highest of plant families for number and percentage of species used as human food. On the other hand, Sweet potatoes are grown on a variety of soils, but well-drained, light- and medium-textured soils with a pH range of 4.5-7.0 are more favorable for the plant. They can be grown in poor soils with little fertilizer. Therefore this presentation will specifically be focusing on this three main field crops.

CUCUMBER Scientific name; Cucumis sativus Family; Cucurbitaceae Location; Koronivia crop farm Type of land; Flat land Type of soil; clay loam

Disease; yellowing of leaves, wilting, leaf spot, fruit rot Cause; frequent cultivated of land, lack of nitrogen, lack of proper drainage, competition between weeds and crops for nutrients, no proper staking, over crowded. Control; clearing weeds, fertilizer application when its necessary, proper drainage, hand picking of insect pest(physical control), staking, spacing, picked fallen leaves to illuminate pathogens

Insect pest; lady bug Control; use insecticide

PUMPKIN Scientific name; cucurbita Family; cucurbitaceae Location; compost area (koronivia crop farm) Type of land; flat land Type of soil; humus

Disease; yellowing of leaves, wrinkled & cupped leaves Causes; virus, fungal & insects, age of the pumpkin, . Control; insecticides, remove infected parts or the whole plants, sanitation, pulling out of weeds.

Sweet Potato Scientific name; Ipomoea batatas Family name; Convolvulaceae Location; Koronivia Crop Farm Type of land; flat land Soil type; clay loam soil

Continues; Diseases; leaf holes, yellowish of leaves, purple leaf, (necrosis). Causes; insects, lack of nutrients(potasium), not enough space. Control; require accurate spacing, use insecticides, add potasium.

Recommendation After observation in these three crops, we recommended that the crops are not well planted and managed. So we suggest that the crops should be planted to suit the required yield. Sanitation is very important practices to apply in order to minimizes pests and diseases affecting the crops. Planting methods & preparation should be done properly to improve the yield and to control the problems affecting crops within their lifetime.

References Koronivia Crop farm field observation (group members).