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Maize Grower Guide

PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR 1 HECTARE OF MAIZE

Seed requirements: 25 kgs of seed

Plant population: 45 000 to 55 000 depending on the variety, time of planting, agro-ecological region and intended purpose.

Successful cultivation of maize depends largely on three crucial factors namely:

  1. Appropriate soil conditioning
  2. Appropriate and timely soil nutrition management
  3. Efficacy of weed control.

Weed control during the first six to eight weeks after planting is crucial, because weeds compete vigorously with the crop for space, nutrients and water during this period as well as harboring noxious insect pests such as fall armyworm, leaf hoppers amongst the list.

In fact, the crop must be weed free for the first 8-10 weeks of the crop cycle. Annual yield losses occur because of weed infestations in cultivated croplands.

The annual yield loss in maize because of weed problems can even reach 50% or more. The loss occurs as a result of weed competition for nutrients, water and light.

NB: If you fail to control weeds in maize for the first 5 weeks of the crop cycle, then 50% of the yields will be lost. Never allow weeds to seed, it will enhance the weed seed bank and result in future weed control costs and difficulties.

Herbicide Name Active Ingredient Rate/Ha Time of application
Atrazine 500 SC Triazine 3l/ha Pre and Early Post-emergence
S-Metolachlor 960 EC S- Metalachlor 1-1.5l/ha Pre-emergence
Natto 260 OD Nicosulfuron, Terbuthylazine Mesotrione 2.0-2.5l/ha Early post-emergence
Rescue 650EC Flumetsulam, S-Metolachlor 0.7-1.7l/ha Pre-emergence
Stellar Star Topramezone, Dicamba 1l/ha Post-emergence
Auxo Tembotrione, Bromoxynil 1.5l/ha Post-emergence
Broom 537.5 SE Terbuthylazine, Mesotrione and Metalachor 2l/ha Post-emergence
Nicosulfuron 75 WDG Nicosulfuron 45g/ha Post-emergence (Shamva)
Savior Star 60g/ha Post-emergence
MCPA 40 SL MCPA Post-emergence
Dicamba 480 SL Dicamba 500ml/ha Post-emergence
Frontier Optima Dimethenamid 1-1.25l/ha Pre-emergence
Galaxy 480 SC Mesotrione 260ml/ha Pre- and Post-emergence
Servian Halosulfuron 50g/ha Post-emergence (Nutsedge)

Problem

Product

Application Rate

Critical Remarks

Stalk borers

African Armyworm

Cutworms

Boll Worms

Fall Armyworm

Lambda-cyhalothrin

Acetamiprid+Indoxacarb (Horizon)

Decis forte

Carbaryl 85 WP

Chlopyrifos

Fenvelerate

Belt

Cartap hydrochloride

Emamectin Benzoate (Spear)

Acetamiprid+Emamectin benzoate (Volt Star)

200mls/ha

600ml/ha

 

125mls/ha

1kg/ha

350 – 400 mls

200mls/ha

38mls/ha

800grms/ha

300grms/ha

200-500 ml/ha

Apply as at first sign of infestation

Apply as at first sign of infestation

 

Apply as at first sign of infestation

Full cover spray and repeat as necessary.

Spray over the top in 200 – 500 litres of water

Apply as at first sign of infestation

Apply as at first sign of infestation

Apply as at first sign of infestation

Apply as at first sign of infestation

Apply as at first sign of infestation

 

Hoppers /

Dimethoate 40 EC

500-750mls/ha

Apply as a high-volume spray. Repeat every 7-10 days.

Apply as seed dresser at planting

Streak Virus

Gaucho 600FS / Imidacloprid 200 SC

580mls/100kgs of seed

Grey leaf

spot

Propiconazole 25EC

Tebuconazole

750mls/ha

1lt/ha

Spray when disease is seen on 3rd leaf below the cob.

Apply when disease first appears on basal 4 – 5 leaves

Termites,

Chlopyrifos

1lt/ha

Band apply at planting or spray 8 – 10 weeks after planting

Apply 8 – 10 weeks after planting

white grubs

Imidacloprid

200 mls

Stored grain

Insects

Grain protectants

Actellic gold dust

Fumigation

Aluminium Phosphide tablets/pellets

25g/50kg bag (shelled grain)

11-30 tablets/pellets per tonne

Mix well into grain

 

Cover for 7-14 days (Consult an Agronomist)

Approximately 12.5 x 16 litre knapsacks will cover 1 hectare and apply 200 litres of water.

ALWAYS READ LABELS BEFORE USING THE PRODUCTS 

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1 Comment

  • Mark

    September 7, 2022 - 00:59

    Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.

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