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MADE POSSIBLE BY
THE MAIZE TRUST
17
Make sure you know the optimal planting
thresholds as well as the ‘it’s too late to plant
anymore’ thresholds.
Colder months
We cannot forget that another threat to the
crop comes at the end of the growing cycle
with the onset of the colder months. A maize
plant needs between 120 to 140 frost free
days depending on cultivar. For this reason
one can’t risk planting the maize seed too
late because frost on still-maturing maize
plants can cause significant yield losses.
There is also an ideal harvest time thresh-
old – that moment in time when most plants
have fully matured. We know many develop-
ing farmers who are pressured by livestock
owners to get their crops off the fields so the
cattle can be let out to graze on the maize
lands. Time and again this spells trouble. A
maize cob harvested with too high moisture
content will shrivel, lose weight and more
worrying, is very likely to get damaged or
diseased. The yield will be unnecessarily
compromised if the harvesting window is
ignored.
Region specific dates
We talk about a window of opportunity but
it is also important to remember that plant-
ing dates are region specific. A good time to
plant maize in Mpumalanga is quite different
to what is a good time to plant maize in the
North West. Both the moisture levels in the
soils and the temperature of the soils will
need to be at the ideal threshold levels for
the seeding to be successful.
If you know your ideal planting thresholds
and can stick within those dates, the crops will
have the best chance to produce the highest
yields because it is then that a plant is afford-
ed every opportunity to thrive and reach full
physiological maturity in favourable climatic
conditions with (hopefully) good rainfall, ad-
equate sunlight and heat units with moderate
evening temperatures.
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
Farmers need to be informed and alert. There
needs to be a plan of action in the back of
every farmer’s mind as to how he will address
fluctuations to the norms.
Just managing to complete topdressing.
Photo: Jenny Mathews
Make sure you know the optimal planting thresholds.
Photo: Jenny Mathews