GENERAL WEEDING IN MAIZE

BY AGRONOMIST H. KANYIMBO

The imperative nature of the maize crop is undisputable in most African countries including Zambia. Maize is the primary source of Zambia’s staple food. It is not only an essential crop to almost every household in the country but also vital for livestock feed.

Based on this constant demand ranging from domestic consumption needs to commercial benefits, if ever faced with doubt as to the lucrative nature of the crop, the maize farmer must consider the immense likelihood of a good return. Normally, we hear the quote “you reap what you sow”. The question that follows then is ‘how do I successfully grow my maize?’

CONTROL

It is first imperative to allude to the concept of Weeds. Weeds are unwanted crops in the field they are groupedinto three; broadleaf annual grasses and sedges. In this article will focus on the two common weeds that is broad lead and annual grasses. Broadleaf weeds area higher competitor to maize than grasses because they grow faster and occupy more space. Common weeds affecting maize crops from both groups are Mulungwe (rottboellia cochinchinensis), Ndao (Nutsedge) and Bondwe (Amaranthus or pigweed) among others. Maize farmers need to ensure that they inhibit these obstacles to the good growth of their crops. 

Weeds evidently present serious adversities to the healthy growth of maize with about 80% yield loss attributable to them. In order to control weeds in maize, a farmer needs to ensure that proactive action is taken in the first six to eight weeks after planting. This prevents the vigorous competition that takes place for nutrients, air, sunlight, space and water between the maize crop and weeds during this period. Maize crop yield losses that are attributable to weeds vary depending on the type of weeds and the environmental conditions involved.

The control of weeds can be done through hand weeding or chemical control. The former is now an old-fashioned way of weeding as it is time consuming and attracts a high labour cost. Farmers have now adopted the ‘smart’ way of weeding and farming in general with the use of herbicides in their maize fields. This has evidently increased production and lessened time and cost expenses that weeding can present. 

Fortunately, AGRICROP Services Ltd(ASL) provides just what the farmer needs in this regard. We design maize spray programs for small scale, emergent and commercial farmers. These programs are designed conveniently for farmers; easy to comprehend, follow and apply ensuring that weeds are controlled in the first six to eight weeks. Our spray programs at AGRICROP comprise of non-selective and selective herbicides. Non-selective herbicides kill weeds as well as desired plants.

Essentially, they kill any vegetation they come into contact with. Non-selective herbicides supplied at AGRICROP include Roar Extra and Paraquat.

Selective herbicides, on the other hand, are tailor made to kill only unwanted crops while preserving the desired crop. ASL supplies Anchor, Mesotrione, Nicosulfuron, Basacrop, Bambo and Atrazine. Anchor is recommended at pre-emergence stage or as an early post. It is tailor made in a way that controls what has already germinated at planting time and also avoid the germination of weed seeds.

A highly beneficial attribute of Anchor is that it is effective for both of aforesaid types of weeds seeing that it creates a shield to avoid the germination of both broad leaf and grass weed seeds. This will allow your maize crop to freely germinate without any competition with weeds. Selective herbicides can also be applied at a later stage, farmers can use a post emergence spray if weeds have germinated within the first eight weeks after planting. ASL recommends Mesotrione as a postemergence spray. Like Anchor,

Mesotrione controls both broadleaf and grass weeds. With the availability of these AGRICROP solutions to the adversity of weeds, farmers are guaranteed a clean field resulting in healthy crops and a good yield.

For inquiries Kindly contactAgronomist Henry Kanyimbo on +260 975 683867. 

AGRICROP has the farmer at heart and is only one call away for weeding programs and a variety of farm needs.

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