Maize Production
Maize is a staple in Zimbabwe lets look into what goes into having a good harvest.
ABOUT Maize production
Drought during the four-week flowering period can cause serious yield losses, so water conservation measures such as pot-holing, mulching, and tied-ridges are important in dry areas. Temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius can affect yield by reducing pollen viability, while temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius can stunt maize growth.
The amount of fertilizer needed for maize depends on the soil fertility and the yield goal. Infertile soils and higher yield goals both require more fertilizer. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two most important nutrients for maize, but it also requires potassium and, on some soils, zinc in small quantities. Manure is the first consideration for fertilizing maize, as it is an excellent source of nutrients and has many other benefits for the soil. Purchased inorganic fertilizers should be considered as a supplement to manure.
PLANTING
Maize is typically planted 3 to 5 centimeters deep in rows. The spacing between rows depends on the type of equipment used to harvest the maize, regional preferences, and the intended use of the maize.
Grain maize is typically planted with row spacings of 50 to 210 centimeters. Closer row spacing allows the plants to access more moisture, nutrients, and sunlight earlier, due to the greater space between plants within the row.
For grain maize grown in arid regions, the crop density can be as low as 25,000 plants per hectare, while in humid, tropical regions, populations can be in excess of 75,000 plants per hectare.
In temperate regions, maize for forage is typically planted at 90,000 to 110,000 seeds per hectare, and the best crops come from low-altitude, sun-facing fields.
It is common practice to plant 10 to 15% more seed than is necessary to account for the reduced establishment and to achieve the desired plant population. Germination rates are typically around 95%, and another 5 to 10% of seeds may be lost to insects, disease, or weeds.
FERTILISERS
In Zimbabwe, sandy soils are generally poorer than clay soils. However, regardless of soil type, crops will take nutrients from the soil to produce stover and grain. The higher the yield, the more nutrients are extracted by the plants. This quickly empties the soil’s store of nutrients, which must be replaced. Therefore, it is very important to add fertilizers to maize crops to ensure good quantity and quality of seed. It is critical to develop appropriate recommendations that match crop nutrient requirements (fertilizer additions) and minimize nutrient losses in the fields.
Fertiliser and manure must be applied taking into consideration the soil’s ability to
supply nutrients, the requirements of the intended crop (i.e., the yield targets) and the economics of fertiliser application.
Soil sampling and soil testing
Soil testing is recommended, soils with low soil pH can be adjusted and soil pans/soil compaction can be destroyed. In case the soils have low pH lime will be added.
Basal fertiliser application
The fertiliser regime management in cereal crops must be tailored to the soil fertility status, the yield potential, and grain quality requirements. As a general guide, cereals a basal application of 300 to 500 kg/ha of a compound fertiliser (7%N: 14% P2O5: 7% K2O). The rates are informed by soil tests and may differ from soil type.
Top dressing fertilizer application
Growers can use Ammonium nitrate (34.5 %N) as top dressing. The top-dressing fertilizer is split-applied at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after emergence in the ratios of 30%, 40% and 30%, respectively. The general recommendation is 400 – 500 kgs /ha
Maize farming methods
In Africa, it’s a common practice for most rural farmers to cultivate up to 2 hectares of land each year, yet they struggle to produce enough food for their own sustenance. Many believe that the solution lies in either expanding their farmland or introducing mechanisation. However, both options prove ineffective, as larger land holdings often lead to even more challenging conditions without increased productivity. Mechanisation, on the other hand, is typically beyond the financial means of most families and comes with unforeseen expenses.
Inspired by a training session with Foundations for Farming, Berin Stockil felt compelled to develop a plan to help families become self-sufficient in terms of food. Through prayer and contemplation, he envisioned a simple yet divinely inspired idea: filling a 20-liter bucket with maize. Many farmers already measure their yields in buckets, making it an easily understood metric for family sustenance.
The concept behind Pfumvudza was born from a fundamental question: “How much land is needed to feed a family?” By embracing the principles of Foundations for Farming and assuming that a family’s staple diet requires a weekly bucket of maize, a model was devised.
To fill a bucket with shelled maize, 56 cobs, each weighing 300 grams, are required. If each maize plant could produce at least one of these, then it would take 56 plants to meet this goal.
See article below for a full details of this approach to food security.