Theory question 105
Crop HusbandryDescribe briefly the cultivation of maize under the following headings:
(a) land preparation.
(b) propagation.
(c) planting date.
(d) seed rate.
(e) spacing.
(f) fertilizer requirement
(g) weeding
(h) harvesting
(i) storage.
Show the model answer
(a) Clear, stump, plough and harrow; ridge or flat beds
(b) By seeds (improved varieties), dressed with fungicide/insecticide
(c) Early season March–April in the south, May–June in the north; late season August
(d) About 20–25 kg per hectare
(e) About 75 cm × 25 cm (one seed per hole) or 90 cm × 30–45 cm (2 seeds per hole), 3–5 cm deep
(f) NPK 15-15-15 at planting (about 200–300 kg/ha) and urea/sulphate of ammonia top dressing at 4–6 weeks
(g) Hand or hoe weeding at 3 and 6 weeks, or pre-emergence herbicide (e.g. atrazine)
(h) Green maize at about 10–12 weeks; dry grain at 3–4 months when husks turn brown and grains are hard; by hand or combine
(i) Dry grain to about 12–13% moisture; shell; store in cribs, silos, rhumbus or sacks; treat with storage insecticide; keep dry and rodent-free
Give figures (dates, seed rate, spacing, fertilizer rates).