The universal crop.

Maize in Kenya grows well in an altitude of 2200m above sea level. It prefers medium temperatures, rainfall and attitude. Some breeds are drought resistant during the early stages of growth and does not require much rain towards maturity but they must have enough rain at flowering stage.

Maize prefers fertile loam soil which should be free draining as it cannot withstand water logging and the soil ph should be neutral or alkaline. The environmental factors found where maize is cultivated in Kenya are varied. A national maize breeding programme has been developed and many varieties which adapt well to the different conditions in specific areas.

Maize varieties are few pure at present because farmers tend to grow the more productivity hybrids and composites. The Kenya flat complex is one of the low yielding varieties but has good sheathing which prevents damage by weevils when stored with the husks on. Hybrids are bred by crossing in breed when lines or varieties used conditions of controlled pollination.

Composites on the other hand are breed growing a number of varieties together with uncontrolled pollination where there is free inter pollination.

The maize is then harvested and treated using Thirad-dindane to prevent pest attack and soil farmers as seed. Farmers are advised to plant fresh seed for planting every season. It is because of problem of reducing hybrid vigour in the first germination. Land which maize is to be grown should be prepared early to allow stable enough time to rot. Ploughing is done using disc and then harrowing is done where the seedbed is rough, although a fine seedbed is not necessary for maize.

Maize planting should be done quite early in the rain so that the crop can make a maximum use of available moisture. Dry planting should be practiced in area with short rainy seasons. Time for planting maize is very crucial as developed planting always reduces yielding.

Early planting also reduces attack by borers. The depth at which maize are placed varies from 2.5cm to 10cm which are placed shallowly in moist and deeply in dry soil, one or two seeds are placed in every hole and the spacing is 20cn to 30cm by 75 cm to 90cm the spacing depends on the ecological conditions and the cultivars to be planted. Planting is done by hands on small farms. Which tractor drawn planters are used on large farm?

BY:
JOYCE NGUNJIRI.