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:
- Appropriate soil conditioning
- Appropriate and timely soil nutrition management
- 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