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Table 2.3 Generalized fertilizer recommendation for maize (open pollinated)

(based on agro-ecological zones)

AGRO-

ECOLOGICAL

ZONE

RECOMMENDATION

(NUTRIENT HA-1)

MATERIAL HA-1

Sahel

Sudan

Northern Guinea

Savanna

120kg N

60kg P205

30kg K20

Urea 260kg or 5 bags) or CAN (462kg or 9 bags) 20-10-10 (300kg

or 6 bags) at planting or 2 - 3 WAP and 2 bags of Urea at 5 - 6

WAP

SSP (333kg or 7 bags)

MOP (50kg

Southern Guinea

Savanna

100kg N

50kg P205

30kg K20

Urea (220kg or 5 bags) or CAN (385kg or 8 bags) or 20-10-10

(667kg or 13 bags) half N at planting or 2 - 3 WAP and half 5 - 6

WAP

SSP (278kg or 6 bags)

MOP (50kg or 1 bag)

Forest 70kg N

50kg P205

30kg K20

Urea (150kg 0r 3 bags) or CAN (250kg or 5 bags) or 20-10-10

(350kg or 7 bags)

SSP (139kg or 3 bags)

MOP (50kg or 1 bag) or 4 bags of 20-10-10, 1 bag Urea + 1 bag

single super

Fertilizer rates are the same for early and late seasons in the Forest and Southern Guinea Savanna; About 1 timesof the rate for open pollinated is recommended for hybrid maize In all agro-ecological zones.

(f) Cultural practices: Seed at 25kg/ha of grain to achieve 54,000 plants/ha (75cmx 25cm) for one, plant per stand or 90cm x 40cm for 2 plants per stand). In the

southern Guinea Savanna and Forest zones where the rainy season is long

enough for two crops, plant in March/April for the first (early) crop and in

August for the second (late) crop. In the Nothern Guinea Savanna, Sudan and

Sahel zones where only one crop is possible plant as soon as the rains are

established.

With regard to weed control, atrazine is the herbicide currently recommended for usein most of forest zones. It is applied pre-plant (or latest 2 days after planting) at 3.6kg

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a.i/ha in 225 litres of water. Any of the following herbicide recommendations will

effectively check weeds in the Southern Guinea, Northern Guinea and Sudan zones,

except where specified.

(i) 1.33kg a.iMetolachlor + 0.6 7kg a.i Atrazine (4 litresPrimextra)/ha. or(ii) 1.0kg adMetolachlor + I.Okg ad Atrazine (= 4 litrePrimagram)/ha.(iii) IfRottboeliaexallataconstitutes a problem (as in large mechanised schemes),

use 2-0kg a.iPendimethalin + 2.Okg a.i ) Atrazine (6 litres stomp + 4 litres

Gesaparim or Atranex 500 FW)/ha.

(iv) IfCyperusesculentusconstitutes a problem (as in mechanised farms and irrigated

schemes), use either (i) above, or 2.Okg a.iAlachlor + 1.0kg a.i Atrazine (=4

litres Lasso + 2 litres Gesaprim 500 FW) /ha pre-emergence.

(v) In case ofCyperusrotundus/Cyperustuberosusinfestation in irrigation schemes,

use either - 3.Okg a.i, Butylate + I.OkgaiAtrazine(= 4 litres Eradicane + 2

litres Gesaprim 500 FW) / ha pre-plant incorporated.

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(f) On the lighter soils of Sahel zone, the rates should, not exceed 2/3 of those

given above. It should be noted that great caution, should be exercised in the

selection and handling of all herbicides in view of their inherent hazards to crops

and animals, including humans.

g) Yield Expectancy: Farmers maize yields vary widely between 200 and2,000kg/ha of dry grain. The above recommended practices give grain

yields ranging from 3,500 to 5,000kg/ha. The yields potential for maize is

estimated at 7 -8,000kg/ha of grain in the Northern Guinea zone and

between 4 - 5,000g/ha in Southern and Forest zones. Where a second'(late)crop is grown yields are generally lower. Oil may be commercially

extracted from the maize germ and the content varies from 50 - 56%.

Protein content averages about 9.5%