Soil management

v  It is important to return crop residues of the previous year into soil where maize is to be planted. Maize do not require waterlogged sites. The sites and the soil should be well drained.

Fertilizer requirements

·       Maize has a high demand for nitrogen and this is often the limiting nutrients in maize production. Thus, maize should be fertilized adequately especially the hybrids to enable them reach their fullest expression.

·       The fertilizer nutrients recommended for maize is 100kg N, 50kg of single super phosphate (SUPA) and 50kg K2O per hectare in the Sudan ecology (Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Zamfara, Gombe States) and 120kg N, 60kg P, and 60kg of k in the Northern Guinea Savanna (Kaduna, Niger, Adamawa States).

·  The recommended N-fertilizer rate should be applied in two split applications.

·      First dose is applied at planting or within the first week of planting (that is 50:50:50) using about 6 bags of NPK 15- 15-15 while the 2nd dose of 50kg N (about two bags of urea) should be applied between 4 and 5 weeks after planting in the Southern and Northern Guineas Savannah zones.

·       But between 3 and 4 weeks after planting in the Sudan to extra early maize varieties.

·      For the Sahel, Sudan and Northern Guinea Savanna, in particular, basal N should be dibbled along a 5cm deep groove about 8cm away from the row of plants at 3 WAP and cover with soil. P and K are applied in furrows as single sources or compounded to NPK fertilizers before splitting.

·    All fertilizers should be buried during application. Weed the maize farm again before the application of the second fertilizer dose.