The speed at which the maize plant grows is determined mainly by temperature. It develops far more rapidly in the hot summer months than during the cooler months.
An area of approximately 250m² can provide a family of three with green mealies for about six months, provided planting days are extended over a period.
Water is usually the main limiting factor. A lower plant density will therefore reduce the risk of crop failure.
The soil should ideally be at least 75cm deep, but shallower soil can be cultivated if irrigated carefully. Over-irrigation of shallow soils, however, can result in waterlogging and salinisation.
Day-length and heat units affect the yield. A crop that produces cobs (green mealies) during midsummer will have nearly double the yield of a crop harvested as grain in May.
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 8 February 2019 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 8 February 2019 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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