Gapping is done to replace seeds that did not germinate after others germinated completely. Thinning is done when maize has grown to about 15 cm in height by removing weak and deformed seedlings to make space for healthy seedlings in a hole.
Maize (corn)
• Local names: “Mahindi” in Swahili, “maíz” in Spanish, “maïs” in French, “Mais” in German, “grano” or “mais” in Italian, “milho” in Portuguese, “玉米” (yùmǐ) in Chinese, “मक्का” (makkā) in Hindi, “ذرة” (dhira) in Arabic, and “кукуруза” (kukuruza) in Russian
Maize is a staple food for almost half the population of sub-Saharan Africa and is important for its carbohydrate, proteins, iron, vitamin B, and minerals. The produce is consumed as maize meal (ugali), porridge, pastes, and beer, and can be boiled or roasted as fresh as it comes from the farm. Maize is also processed to produce oils for cooking. It is also an important crop for animal feed.
Smallholder farmers are the largest producers of maize in sub-Saharan Africa. The maize is produced through subsistence farming as part of mixed agricultural systems which lack inputs such as fertiliser, irrigation, improved seeds and efficient labor.
In 2017, Africa produced 7.4% of the 1,135 million tonnes produced worldwide in 40 million hectares, according to data by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Maize field
Ripened maize
Harvested maize
Maize field
Maize ear
Maize ears
Maize silks
Maize tassel
Maize foliage
Maize Varieties
The history of maize varieties in the continent spans way back in 1500 AD when the crop was introduced in Africa and spread in every corner of the continent. Today, there are about 50 species with different texture, color, grain sizes and shapes. White and yellow maize are the most commonly cultivated, and production of seed varieties depends on the region’s soil and climatic conditions.
PlantVillage recommends use of certified seeds suitable for appropriate soil and climatic conditions.
Here are some of the maize varieties grown in Kenya:
- H614: this is a white maize variety that is popular in Kenya due to its high yield potential, good grain quality, and tolerance to diseases such as maize streak virus.
- H6213: a yellow maize variety is planted for its high yield potential, good grain quality, and tolerance to drought and pests such as the maize stem borer.
- DH01: this is a hybrid maize variety popular for its high yield potential, good drought tolerance, and resistance to diseases such as maize lethal necrosis disease.
- PH4: this is a yellow maize variety that is popular in Kenya due to its high yield potential, good resistance to diseases such as leaf rust, and tolerance to drought.
- DK8031: this hybrid maize variety is popular in Kenya for its high yield potential, good grain quality, and tolerance to diseases such as grey leaf spot.
- Longe 5H: this is a white maize variety grown for its high yield potential, good drought tolerance, and tolerance to diseases such as maize streak virus.
The following are some of the maize varieties grown in Tanzania:
- Staha: for low to medium altitude (1-900 m); maturity of 110-130 days; tolerant to drought and also humid conditions
- Kilima, UCA (OPV): for medium to slightly high altitude (900-1700 m); maturity of 110-130 days; yield potential of 45-65 bags of 90 kg / ha
- Situka (OPV): for medium altitude (500-1600 m); maturity of 110-120 days; yield potential of 45-65 bags of 90 kg / ha; tolerant to low nitrogen; resistant to cob rots, grey leaf spot and maize streak virus
- TMV-1 (OPV): for low to medium altitude (1-900 m); maturity of 110-120 days
- Kito: for low to medium altitude (1-750 m); maturity of 90 days; yield potential of 22-30 bags of 90 kg / ha; drought tolerant
These are some of the maize varieties grown in Uganda:
- Longe 4 (OPV): for low land to mid altitude areas; maturity of 100-115 days; yield potential of 40-55 bags of 90 kg / ha; tolerant to maize streak virus, rust and grey leaf spot.
- Longe 8 H: for mid-altitude; maturity of 120-125 days; potential yield of 88–10 bags of 90 kg / ha; excellent husk cover; tolerant to cob rots, drought and poor soil; resistant to maize streak virus, northern leaf blight and grey leaf spot; a very popular hybrid in Uganda.
- Longe 5 (Nalongo) (QPM Maize): for low land to mid altitude areas; maturity of 115 days; potential yield of 40-50 bags of 90 kg / ha; quality protein maize with lysine and tryptophan amino acids; drought tolerant; resistant to maize streak virus, grey leaf spot; moderately resistant to northern leaf blight.
Climatic conditions, soils, and water management
Maize is a versatile crop that can grow in different varieties of soil, water, and climatic conditions. The crop has a wide range of tolerance to temperature conditions but grows well in warm regions where moisture is sufficient. The crop flourishes in regions with rainfall ranging from 1200mm to 2500mm but can adapt to regions receiving rainfall of up to 400 mm. The crop requires warm temperatures of between 15°C and 30 °C and thrives in a range of zones with altitudes ranging from 100 m to 2900 m ASL, depending on the variety.
The crop is sensitive to moisture stress around tasseling time and during cob formation. Growth is favorable under a pH ranging from 5-8 with 5.5-7 being optimal because it is sensitive to salinity.
How to Prevent Corn Bugs in Storage
Growers and commercial handlers across the United States are noting an increased focus on grain quality, with high standards and regulations for commodities hitting the market. Maintaining quality in stored corn is key to competing in today’s market.
Direct insect feeding, particularly from the elusive weevil, reduces market value, causing contamination and deterioration of stored corn. Maintaining value of corn in storage calls for a proactive approach to controlling insects, utilizing a combination of integrated pest management (IPM) and grain protection products.
Let’s take a look at which insects impact stored corn and the best pest control solutions for corn bugs in bins and elevators.
- Weevils: Weevils, such as maize weevils, rice weevils, and granary weevils, can be the most damaging and hardest to treat insects for your stored corn, as the larvae actually grow from eggs deposited inside kernels leaving a hollowed-out kernel. Adult- weevils feed on whole and broken kernels, and damaged grain often has a “shot hole” appearance.
- Indian Meal Moths: This pest is often identified when the larvae produce dense webbing that binds to food fragments. Adult Indian Meal Moths are often seen flying in the vicinity of a grain bin, while larvae can be spotted climbing up walls inside bins.
- Lesser Grain Borers: Signs of infestation from the lesser grain borer include fragmented kernels with a powdery residue. A sweet musty odor is often associated with this insect, along with a “shot hole” appearance in damaged grain.
- Sawtoothed Grain Beetles: Overheating of grain is a common infestation sign from the Sawtoothed Grain Beetle, with a visible population build-up.
For a comprehensive list of the insects that impact stored corn, and to learn more about their appearance, life cycles, and habits, make sure to visit our insect-id, designed to help you quickly identify stored grain insects and offer advice to help prevent or control insects in your stored corn.
Prevention and Control
To control these hard-to treat insects, Central Life Sciences recommends cleaning and treating empty bins with a tank-mix of Diacon ® IGR PLUS and PBO-8 ® Synergist.
Tank-mixing not for you? No problem! Gravista ® Insecticide has made post-harvest grain treatment even easier. The 3-in-1 combination eliminates labor intensive tank-mixing and provides long-term control on stored product insects.
Central Life Sciences also brings a boost to for short-term grain storage and rescue treatments. centynal-synergized combines both an adulticide and a synergist, to help control even the toughest stored product insects.
After treating, monitor your corn throughout the storage period, using your selected grain protectants to help suppress insect populations. As part of a comprehensive IPM strategy, we also recommend aerating grain during warm weather periods of storage to help control moisture and temperature, which can be a breeding ground for corn bugs.
