Maize is one of the crops that is cultivated in abundance here in Tanzania, this is due to the fact that maize is one of the main food crops so its daily need is great but maize also thrives in almost all areas and regions here in Tanzania. despite the difference in the cultivation seasons, this is due to the difference in the rains. Depending on the season, corn is planted at the beginning of the 11th month after the first rains fall (specifically from 1st to 15th day of November) which is harvested in late March or early April. Corn is also planted at the beginning of the monsoon rains, ie the second month at the end and the third month at the beginning, which is harvested in mid-July and early August.
Field preparation.
the field should be prepared early before the planting season has started to give the farmer the opportunity to plant at the desired time. And there are various methods that are used to prepare the fields, so the farmer should prepare the field according to his ability but also the size of the field.
- Hand plow - many use
- A plow drawn by animals like oxen
- Power tillers
- Tractors
The use of tractors, power tillers and animal-drawn plows reduces the labor force as they dig up the soil and make it loamy (so that it does not have large lumps, so for more efficiency we suggest that you use a tractor, power tiller or cow-drawn plow.
Seed Selection
The use of good seeds is important in obtaining high and good yields. There are two main groups of seeds which are:
- Natural seeds: They are those that have been used for many years in the history of agriculture
- Improved seeds: These are those improved from natural seeds. This group is divided into two groups - composite varieties and hybrid seeds (Hybrids).
We suggest that you can ask the extension officer in your area or the agricultural input store in your area, to know the seed that thrives and does well in your area. Because the seeds differ according to the reasons mentioned below.
- Elevation from sea level
- The amount of rain in the area
- The time it takes for a seed to mature
Examples of improved maize seeds are TMV1, TAN 250, TAN 254, Staha, Situka and all others starting with the letter “H” such as H 250, H 251 and H 615, WE4102, WE4106, WE4110, WE4114, WE4115 from ARI ILONGA and many others.
Corn planting
Planting time varies from one region to another depending on the rainy season. For example, in the Morogoro district, planting dates are from February 15 to March 15. The farmer is advised to follow the planting time calendar as advised by his farm owner.
For a large harvest, the farmer must consider planting your plants in a space, the planting space varies due to various professional reasons, but mentioned below are the spaces we advise the farmer to use for planting.
- For a space of 90 cm X 30 cm, plant one seed and place one cap of fertilizer
- For a space of 90 cm X 25 cm, plant one seed and place one cap of fertilizer
- For a space of 90 cm X 50 cm, plant two seeds and put two caps of compost
Fertilizer Use.
Planting fertilizers are applied to the field before planting/sowing the seeds. They are placed in various ways such as spreading on the area and mixing with the soil, or placing in lines or planting holes.
The recommended amount of fertilizers for planting is 20 kg phosphate (P) per hectare which is equal to the amount of 2 bags of DAP (= one bag per acre). If mingingu phosphate fertilizer is used then three bags will be planted per hectare and one and a half bags per acre). And if you decide to use the fertilizer for crops then use four and a half bags per hectare or two bags per acre.
Fertilizers are fertilizers that are used after the plants have germinated with the aim of growing the plants to produce a better yield. Often these fertilizers provide nitrogen nutrients. The following are fertilizers and their nitrogen levels:
- UREA: 46% N
- Calcium Ammonium Nitrate, CAN: 23% N
- Sulphate of Ammonia, SA: 21%
Many farmers use UREA in their cultivation due to its ease of availability, but also its price is a little low and it does not appeal to many people who are experienced in using UREA. Farmers also use fertilizers available at cheap prices such as BOOSTER (foliage nitrogenous fertilizers) which are sprayed in the leaves of the plant every 3 weeks, 2-3 times until the corn is harvested.
The recommended rate is 60 kg nitrogen per hectare, which is equivalent to the amount of two bags if you use UREA. However, other fertilizers such as SA can be used if there is a need for sulphur. CAN can be used if there are specific needs for nitrate and ammonium. In corn, the growth fertilizer is applied after the first weeding, which is about three to four weeks after planting. For each plant apply this amount of fertilizer:
- UREA: one cork of soda
- CAN: two soda cans, and
- SA: one cork of soda
It is important that the field is weeded after the plants germinate to remove weeds. Weeds are plants that compete with the plants planted by the farmer by absorbing nutrients from the ground, but they can also harbor insects and diseases that can attack the plants planted and thus reduce the yield.
Weeds can be removed by hand weeding (that is) weeding (if the weeds are too far apart) or plowing with a hand plow or using herbicides (herbicides) especially 2-4D.
It is important that your field is weeded 14 to 21 days after the plants germinate according to the condition of the field at the time of planting. Experts advise that in corn cultivation, the field should be weeded 2-3 times, according to the condition of the weeds in the field.
THE HARVEST
Corn is ready to harvest when the stalk is weak and the corn is facing down. Once the corn is well dried, it is separated from the stalk and then the corn leaves are removed. Maize varies in the days and amount of harvest depending on the type of seed you use. If you use short-term seeds, it can take you up to 75-120 days, but also if you use long-term seeds, it can exceed that. According to professional ethics, the farmer is required to harvest an amount of 15 sacks- 30 per acre of land.
CONTROLLING DISEASES AND INSECTS THAT ATTACK MAIZE
i) Maize streak virus
Pesticides/Control: Better seed resistant to the disease, early planting, uprooting affected plants or spraying with pesticides to kill vectors such as white flies.
ii) Smut (Fugwe)
Medication/Control: Use Helerat exactly as directed.
iii) Cob rot
Pesticides/Control: Use rot resistant seeds.
Insects And Animals Attacking Corn
a) Army caterpillars
It is a worm type of insect that comes from moths. It attacks corn by eating its leaves and stems. These pests are destroyed/controlled in the following ways;-
- Remove bushes near the farm
- Spraying natural poisons such as Neem for the first two weeks.
- Spray industrial poisons if insects have started to appear such as Karate 1ml/1L
b) Maize Stalk Borer
The earworm bores through the corn stem and causes stunting of the corn.
- Holes, saw-like spots appear on the affected leaves.
- Attacks begin the second to third week after the corn germinates.
- Control methods used
- Mixing corn and legumes such as beans
- Pull out the infested corn
- Natural poisons neem
- Industrial poisons such as Karate. you can also use Malathion, sumithion, cymbush dust or Sevin 5G and follow the instructions exactly.
c) Cutworms (Vikata Shina)
Medication/Control: Use Dragnet FT and follow exact directions.
d) Pests
Control: Threatening and chasing away animals.
So that the farmer can get more and better crops, it is recommended to use drugs to prevent diseases and insects that attack plants and other methods.