Maize farming is the world’s most important source of cereal grain, followed by wheat, sorghum, and millet. Because of its high nutritional value and commercial importance, it is both consumed and farmed.
Due to the world’s growing population, maize grain is in high demand. As a result, to meet human food needs, hybrid maize cultivation must be used to ensure a continual supply of grain.
To improve maize grain output, adequate maize crop cultivation and protection are required to get a high yield for each harvest. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways.
. SEED SELECTION: Farmers should purchase certified hybrid maize. Weeds, soil-borne pests, and illnesses are not present. As a result of the research done on them, they can easily adapt to the prevalent climatic conditions in Kenya.
. PLANTING: This should be done as soon as possible. This enables planting to take place at the appropriate moment as the rainy season approaches. Crops can evade major insect attacks, outcompete weeds, and make the most of the nitrogen rush in the soil.
. USE THE RIGHT TYPE AND AMOUNT OF FERTILIZER: The right amount of fertilizer should be applied at the right time. During the planting process, 50kg to 90kg of diammonium phosphate (DAP) per hectare, or a teaspoon for each hole, should be applied.
Apply 50kg to 100kg of Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) or Urea per acre when the plants reach knee height or have six leaves.
Fertilizer provides the nutrition that plants require to grow and develop.
. PEST AND WEED CONTROL: Pest identification should come first, followed by the application of the appropriate pesticide. Weeds can be controlled by uprooting or mechanical weeding, as well as the application of appropriate herbicides.
Pests associated with maize include the maize stalk borer, armyworm, locusts, weevils, birds, monkeys, and squirrels.
Thorn apple, oxalis, pigweed, and witchweed/Striga are some of the most common weeds found in maize fields. Mulching can also be used to control weeds.
. HARVESTING: Depending on the purpose, harvesting should be done when the maize has reached the appropriate moisture . This can be accomplished manually with the use of hands.
The above practices should be carefully followed, with the help of meticulous record-keeping, to ensure that every activity is completed at the appropriate time, resulting in a high yield for the farmer.
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