1. The
choice of land preparation matters. Ploughing
does more harm than good (ok this one I learnt from Sebastian Scott a few years
back).
2. There
are other basal fertilisers other than compound D which perform much better
than compound D in maize production.
3. Plant
spacing matters when it comes to attaining high yields.
4. Organic
matter in the soil plays a big part in providing nutrients to your plants and
protecting your soil. Manure, compost etc.
use it (the Agronomists re-iterated the knowledge passed down to me from my
ancestors).
5. Soil testing and liming your
yields is an often ignored activity which is basically the difference between
high yield and poor yield.
6. There
is an element called Boron which is essential for the growth or should I say
fruiting/cobbing of your plants.
7. You can
achieve better yields on small fields with good management practices than on
large fields with limited knowledge and trying to stretch resources. The
question you should be asking is, “What is good management?”
8. Not all
maize varieties are equal. When you buy seed, ask for details about what you
are getting. Trust me, there is a reason each variety exists e.g. SC 647 does
very well in acidic soils among other things.
9. Maize
does get affected by diseases and nutrient deficiencies; it is best to learn
about the common ones and ensure to find out what your seed is resistant to or
has a high tolerance for. I was given a quick picture guide which I keep on my
phone for reference. Your seed company should do the same for you.
10. To
reduce the risk of leaching and its effects on the crop, you can consider
applying top dressing to your crop at two different stages instead of the one
application which we are accustomed to.
The Agronomist should be your friend if you really want to learn about maize production to improve yields.
Comments
Post a Comment