The transient crops are those that cover a vegetative cycle of less than 12 months, reaching in some cases only between 3 and 6 months. They are also called short cycle crops or annual crops, and are the opposite of perennial crops..
Some examples of this type of crop are cereals (rice, barley, corn, wheat), oilseeds (cotton, sesame), tubers (potato, sweet potato), vegetables (broccoli, onion, cauliflower, paprika, tomato) and various floristic and ornamental species.
The main peculiarity of transitory crops is that, after being harvested, the plant completes its vegetative cycle. In fact, the plants must be removed from the ground and, to achieve another harvest, a new sowing must be started..
Frequently, the production of transitory crops is destined for human consumption either directly or as perishable processed foods. In the same way, they are a source of raw material for the agri-food industry and for animal consumption, either direct or in the form of concentrated feed..
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In transitory crops, the crop cycle ranges from sowing, through germination, growth, flowering and fruiting, until harvest. When the harvest is over, the plant dies, so it is necessary to start the cycle to obtain a new production..
Plants as diverse as those of chard, zucchini, onion, lettuce, corn, cucumber or tomato culminate their life cycle after being harvested. For this reason, if a new production is desired, it must be cultivated again..
Taking into account the period between the beginning of the sowing and the harvest, the transitory crops last twelve months or less; hence the name "transitional cultivation" is synonymous with short-cycle cultivation or annual cultivation..
In temperate zones the life cycle of most vegetables ranges from early spring to mid-autumn. In the tropics, horticultural production takes place all year round, depending on environmental conditions and the availability of irrigation..
Currently, the use of greenhouses has allowed the production of transitory crops throughout the year based on agricultural demand. In this way, crops such as lettuce or spinach carry out several productive cycles during a year..
- Chard (65 days).
- Pea (between 10 and 90 days).
- Onion (between 120 and 150 days).
- Lettuce (60 days).
- Potato (between 90 and 120 days).
- Beetroot (75 days).
- Paprika (between 80 and 100 days).
- Tomato (between 80 and 90 days).
- Cauliflower (between 120 and 150 days).
- Corn (between 90 and 120 days).
Short-cycle crops require high investment, both in human and economic capital. The effective control of various agronomic parameters allows to obtain the maximum yield from each harvest.
The classification frequently used to differentiate transitional crops is based on the type of production. They are grouped into: vegetables, cereals, oilseeds, and roots and tubers.
Vegetables constitute the group of plants produced in orchards, beds or greenhouses, consumed directly or as processed foods.
Its production requires an integral management of the crop, which includes irrigation, fertilization and control of weeds, pests and diseases..
Vegetables include legumes (beans, peas, beans) and vegetables (radish, celery, onion, eggplant), excluding cereals and fruits.
These plants are grown mainly for their high nutritional level, which includes minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, fibers and carbohydrates, among others..
Mainly, cereals are a source of energy obtained through grains rich in starches, lipids, proteins, cellulose and fibers. Cereals include rice, oats, barley, rye, corn, millet, sorghum, and wheat.
Most cereal crops are produced mechanically. It is worth noting that the raw material obtained from these must be processed for human or animal consumption.
Oilseeds are plants from which oil is extracted from their fruits or seeds. The most common oilseeds include sunflower, peanut, corn, soybean, olive tree, oil palm, rapeseed and almond or safflower..
The oil extraction process can be carried out in an artisanal way, but the largest productions are carried out industrially.
Roots and tubers are plants whose edible products contain high levels of carbohydrates, provitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. Among the most prominent are celery, sweet potatoes, potatoes, yams, squash, cassava and carrots..
It is essential to include roots and tubers in the daily diet, whether as fresh, cooked or industrially prepared food..
The agronomic or cultural management of the transitory crop is related to those activities that are carried out from sowing to harvest. Its objective is to obtain a healthy crop that achieves high yields.
Below we will describe the most important tasks that must be carried out to obtain a high quality crop:
They are field works that include plowing, harrowing, subsoiling and leveling the ground.
These activities are carried out in order to condition the soil to receive the seeds or seedlings during transplantation..
Sowing consists of placing the seed in the substrate or soil conditioned for the growth and development of the plant.
In transitory crops, sowing can be done directly: by spot, broadcast or running stream. There is also indirect sowing, which is done by transplanting from seedlings.
Transplantation is the activity of sowing in the field the seedlings obtained from seeds grown in seedlings.
The main characteristic of the seedling to be transplanted is the presence of between 4 and 6 true leaves.
Thinning is a cultural practice that consists of eliminating weak plants to offer better development conditions.
Thinning is carried out in flow-through plantings, where the plants grow close together (turnip, beet or carrot).
It is a process that consists of gathering earth around the stem in order to fortify the development and growth of this.
It is a production technique that consists of replacing seedlings that have deteriorated after transplantation. The objective is to avoid empty spaces in the crop and maintain productivity.
The harvest is carried out by starting the final product of each crop, taking directly from the plant and using scissors or mechanized..
Once the final product is harvested, it must be conveniently stored for direct distribution or for transport to the agro-industry.
It is a fundamental activity for transitory crops, since the growth and development of the crop depend on the effectiveness of irrigation.
Irrigation is based on the type of crop, soil conditions, and the availability of water and labor..
It is recommended to water in the cool hours of the morning or at the end of the afternoon, spreading the water directly to the crop without wetting the foliage.
In creeping plants -such as peas, cucumbers or tomatoes- the tutored avoids that the fruits are injured during the production phase. The objective is to place stakes or other elements that provide support to the crops.
Weeding allows you to remove unwanted plants from the crop. Weeds compete for space, water, nutrients, and solar radiation; In addition, they attract pests and diseases.
Comprehensive management is a strategy that allows controlling not only pests and diseases, but also weeds or weeds.
This activity includes cultural practices, biological control and, if necessary, chemical control..
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