Crop Production - Maize (Zea Mays)

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Questions and Answers

What are the ideal climatic conditions for growing maize?

Maize requires a hot sunny climate with about 450mm of evenly distributed rainfall and average temperatures of 24°C.

What soil type and pH range are optimum for maize cultivation?

Maize thrives in well-drained soils, preferably deep loam rich in organic matter, with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0.

What is the recommended seed rate for maize planting, and how does it vary?

The recommended seed rate for maize is 22kg per hectare, which can vary between 17 and 35 kg/ha depending on variety and spacing.

How should herbicides be used for effective weed control in maize?

<p>Selective herbicides, such as Duron and 2,4-D, should be used because they kill specific types of weeds without harming maize plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe one cultural method for controlling weeds in maize production.

<p>A cultural method for weed control includes practices such as crop rotation, mulching, and early planting to minimize weed competition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are non-selective herbicides and when are they applied in maize cultivation?

<p>Non-selective herbicides, such as Atrazine and glyphosate, kill any plant and are applied before maize is sown.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List three signs that indicate maize is ready for harvesting.

<p>Leaves are yellow, husks are dry and papery, and grains are hard.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long does it typically take for maize to be ready for harvesting for dry grains?

<p>It takes at least 18 weeks for maize to be ready for harvesting for dry grains.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some common storage methods used for maize?

<p>Common storage methods include cribs on the ground, metal silos, open-basket storage, and bag storage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Maize (Classification and Grading) Regulations?

<p>These regulations categorize and grade maize based on quality criteria for trade purposes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Non-selective herbicides

Pre-emergence herbicides that kill any plant, applied before planting maize.

Maize maturity (dry grains)

Maize is ready for harvest when leaves are yellow, husks are dry, grains are hard, and moisture content is around 20%.

Maize harvesting time (fresh vs. dry)

Fresh cobs are ready in 13-15 weeks, dry cobs in 18+ weeks.

Maize Harvesting methods

Traditionally hand and knife de-husking, and combines for direct harvesting and threshing, and drying/stacking are commonly used.

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Maize storage moisture content

Moisture content should be around 12% for safe storage in bags or silos.

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Maize storage methods

Different structures made with different materials, such as cribs, open baskets, bins, metal silos, and bag storage, are used for storing maize.

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Maize Marketing

Activities involved in selling maize, including harvesting, transportation, temporary storage, drying, husking, shelling, winnowing, sorting, grading, weighing, and pricing, sold to individuals or traders, including BAMB.

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Maize Legislation (Botswana)

Regulations cover maize classification, grading, handling, and import/export. Includes classification, weevil maize guidelines and agrochemical regulations.

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Maize Climatic Needs

Maize thrives in hot, sunny climates with consistent rainfall (around 450mm) during the growing season, and average temperatures of 24°C.

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Maize Soil Type

Maize can grow in various soil types (sand to clay), but well-drained loam soils rich in organic matter yield the best results.

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Maize Soil pH

The optimal pH range for maize growth is 5.5 to 7.0.

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Maize Seedbed Prep

Maize seedbeds are prepared by ploughing (25-30cm deep), discing to break clods, and harrowing to level the soil and create a medium tilth.

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Maize Growing Season (Botswana)

The maize growing season in Botswana generally runs from October to March.

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Maize Planting Method

Maize is planted directly from seeds.

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Maize Seed Rate

The recommended seed rate is 22 kg/ha, but can vary based on variety and spacing from 17-35 kg/ha.

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Maize Planting Depth

Maize seeds should be planted 5-8 cm deep.

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Maize Row Spacing

Maize rows are spaced 90 cm apart and plants within rows are spaced 30 cm apart.

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Maize Basal Dressing Fertilizer

A 2:3:2 fertilizer with 1% Zinc is applied with the planter during planting at a rate of 1000 kg/ha.

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Maize Kraal Manure

Kraal manure is added 5 weeks before planting at 30,000 kg/ha, composted and dug into the soil.

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Maize Top Dressing Fertilizer

LAN (28%) fertilizer, 100 kg/ha, is applied by planter 4 weeks after planting.

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Maize Pest (Stalk borer)

Stalk borer is a common pest of maize.

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Maize Disease (Maize streak virus)

Maize streak virus is a common disease of maize.

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Mechanical Weed Control

Weed control using physical methods, like tilling, hoeing, or hand-pulling.

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Cultural Weed Control

Weed control through good farming practices, such as mulching and crop rotation.

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Chemical Weed Control

Weed control using herbicides, such as selective herbicides, to target specific weeds.

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Study Notes

Crop Production - Maize (Zea Mays)

  • Climatic Requirements: Hot, sunny climate with evenly distributed rainfall (450mm) during growing season; average temperatures of 24°C.

  • Soil Type and pH: Wide range of soils (sand to clay), well-drained; high yields in deep loam soils rich in organic matter. pH range of 5.5 to 7.0 is suitable.

Seedbed Preparation

  • Ploughing to a depth of 25-30cm.
  • Breaking soil clods using a disc.
  • Leveling and harrowing to medium tilth.

Planting Time

  • In Botswana: October (onset) to March (end).

Planting Maize

  • Seed rate: 22-35 kg/ha (depending on variety and spacing).
  • Planting depth: 5-8 cm.
  • Row spacing: 90 cm.
  • Spacing within rows: 30 cm.
  • Planted directly using seeds.
  • Target 40,000 plants/hectare.

Manure Application

  • Basal dressing: 1000 kg/ha of 2:3:2 + 1% Zn fertilizer applied with planter.
  • Kraal manure: 30,000 kg/ha broadcast and dug in 5 weeks before planting.
  • Top dressing: 100 kg/ha LAN (28%) 4 weeks after planting, applied with planter in rows.

Weed Control

  • Mechanical: Digging, tilling, cultivating, hoeing, slashing, and hand-pulling.
  • Cultural: Mulching, crop rotation, early planting, clean seeds.
  • Chemical: Selective herbicides (e.g., Duron, 2,4-D) target specific weed types; non-selective herbicides (e.g., Atrazine, glyphosate) kill all plants.

Crop Maturity Recognition

  • Dry grains: Yellow leaves, dry papery husks, hard grains, moisture content around 20%.

Harvesting

  • 13-15 weeks for fresh cobs; 18 weeks for dry cobs.
  • De-husking traditionally done by hand/knife, or using self-propelled maize combine harvesters.

Storage Methods

  • Storage in cribs on the ground
  • Open-basket storage
  • Bins roofed with brick
  • Metal silos
  • Bag storage
  • Moisture content should reach approximately 12% for safe storage after harvesting and stacking.

Marketing

  • Harvesting, stocking, transport, temporary storage, drying, husking, shelling, winnowing, weighing, bagging, pricing.
  • Selling to individuals, local traders via cooperatives/BAMB.

Relevant Legislation

  • Maize (Classification and Grading) Regulations: 1974/75 crop season onwards.
  • Control of Goods (Import and Export of Agricultural Products) Regulations: Covers import/export of maize.

Record Keeping

  • Farm Diary: Records important daily events.
  • Production Records: Focus on activities involved in manufacturing/producing goods (e.g., labour, machinery, water, fertilizer, yield).
  • Financial Records: Profit and loss accounts, sales, income, expenses.

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Related Documents

Maize Crop Production Guide PDF

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