Fertilising maize correctly

Fertilisation of maize plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal crop growth and maximising yields. Maize plants have specific nutrient needs that must be met at all stages of growth to ensure healthy development and high productivity. Fertilisers provide important nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), which are essential for maize growth and development.

Countries that are the largest agricultural producers and have the largest utilised agricultural areas tend to use the most mineral fertilisers in agricultural production; in 2020, the agricultural sectors in France, Germany, Poland and Spain consumed between 1.0 and 2.1 million tonnes of nitrogen fertilizer and between 0.1 and 0.2 million tonnes of phosphorous fertiliser. (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20220628-1 )

Proper fertilisation helps to compensate for nutrient deficiencies in the soil and ensures that maize plants have access to the necessary elements for their metabolic processes. Nitrogen is particularly important for maize as it is a key component of chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis and overall plant growth. Phosphorus supports root development, energy transfer and reproductive processes, while potassium contributes to water regulation, disease resistance and overall plant vigour.

By ensuring the right balance of nutrients through fertilisation, farmers can improve maize plant health, increase resistance to pests and diseases and boost overall crop yield. However, it is critical to consider soil testing and nutrient management practices to determine the specific nutrient needs of the soil and adjust fertilisation accordingly. This ensures that the right nutrients are applied at the right rate and avoids overfertilisation or nutrient imbalances that can harm the crop or the environment.

Fertilisation of maize is essential for optimal crop growth and maximising yields. By providing the necessary nutrients in the right amounts, farmers can promote healthy plant development, improve disease resistance and ultimately increase their maize production. However, to ensure proper fertilisation and minimise environmental impact, it is important to follow proper soil testing and nutrient management.

Soil testing and nutrient management

Soil testing and nutrient management are essential components of successful maize production. Soil testing provides valuable information about the nutrient content and pH of the soil and allows farmers to make informed decisions about fertiliser application. With an understanding of the soil’s nutrient composition, farmers can tailor their fertilisation practices to the specific needs of their crop.

Through soil testing, farmers can identify nutrient deficiencies or surpluses in the soil and adjust their fertilisation schedules accordingly. This allows them to optimise nutrient availability for maize plants, promote healthy growth and maximise crop yields. In addition, soil testing helps prevent overfertilisation, which can lead to nutrient runoff and environmental pollution.

Effective nutrient management involves not only applying the right amount of fertiliser, but also considering factors such as nutrient release rates, application timing and the use of organic amendments or crops. Through good nutrient management, farmers can improve nutrient use efficiency, reduce input costs and minimise environmental impacts.

Soil testing and nutrient management are essential for successful maize production. Through regular soil testing and proper nutrient management, farmers can ensure that their crops receive the nutrients they need for optimal growth and yield, while minimising the environmental risks associated with excessive fertiliser use.

Understanding the nutrient requirements of maize

Maize has specific nutrient needs that must be met at all stages of growth to ensure healthy development and high productivity. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are the main macronutrients required by maize, but secondary macro- and micronutrients also play an important role.

Nitrogen is important for maize growth and development, especially in the vegetative phase. Phosphorus is crucial for root development, energy transfer and reproductive processes, while potassium contributes to water regulation, disease resistance and overall plant vigour. Secondary macronutrients such as calcium, magnesium and sulphur, and micronutrients such as iron, zinc and manganese are also important for maize growth and development.

Understanding the nutrient requirements of maize is critical to developing effective fertilisation plans. Farmers must consider factors such as soil type, crop rotation and weather conditions when determining the appropriate amount and timing of nutrient application. Over-fertilisation can lead to nutrient leaching and environmental pollution, while under-fertilisation can lead to stunted growth and lower yields.

There are different types of fertilisers that can be used to meet the nutrient needs of maize. The choice of fertiliser depends on factors such as soil condition, nutrient deficiency and the specific needs of the maize plants. Here are some common types of fertiliser for maize:

1. nitrogenous fertilizers: nitrogen is an important nutrient for maize, and fertilizers such as urea, ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulphate are commonly used to provide nitrogen to the plants.
2. fertilisers containing phosphorus: phosphorus is important for root development and reproduction of maize. Fertilisers such as diammonium phosphate (DAP) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) are commonly used to supply the plants with phosphorus.
3. potassium-based fertilisers: potassium is important for water regulation and overall plant vigour. Fertilisers such as potassium chloride (Muriat of Potash) and potassium sulphate are commonly used to supply potassium to crops.
4. complete fertilisers: these fertilisers contain a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as other important nutrients. They provide a balanced nutrient profile for maize plants.
5. organic fertilisers: organic fertilisers such as compost, manure and bio-based products can also be used to provide nutrients to maize plants. They provide slow-release nutrients and improve soil health.

It is important to consider soil testing and nutrient management practices to determine the specific nutrient needs of the soil and select the appropriate fertiliser type and application rate. This ensures that maize plants receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and yield.

The timing and application of fertiliser plays a critical role in maximising the effectiveness of nutrient uptake by maize plants. Proper timing ensures that nutrients are available when plants need them most, promoting healthy growth and optimal yields. Here are some important considerations for timing and applying fertiliser to maize:

1. base dressing: Application of phosphorus (P) as a base dressing at planting is important for early root development. This is usually done before or during sowing to ensure that the nutrient is readily available to the young plants.
2. split fertilisation: nitrogen fertiliser (N) is often applied in several applications to meet the nutrient needs of the crop during the growing season. Applying some of the nitrogen at planting encourages early growth, while the remaining amount is applied later during the growth spurt.
3. side-dressing: Side-dressing involves applying additional N fertiliser during the growing season when maize plants have high nutrient requirements. For this purpose, the fertiliser is fertilised close to the root zone of the plants.
4. fertilise the surface with top dressing: Top dressing involves applying fertiliser to the soil surface after the crop has emerged. This method is often used to apply additional N fertiliser in the later stages of maize growth.
5. nutrient application: Proper placement of fertilizers is important to ensure that nutrients are available to the crop’s root system. Placing fertilizers under or next to the seed will minimize nutrient loss and maximize nutrient uptake.

When determining the timing and application rate of fertilisers, it is important to consider soil testing, crop stage and nutrient requirements. By following recommended practices and tailoring fertiliser application to the specific needs of the maize crop, farmers can optimise nutrient availability, minimise nutrient losses and achieve higher crop yields.

Fertilisation mistakes to avoid

Fertilisation is an important aspect of maize production, and proper fertilisation practices can help maximise yields and promote healthy plant growth. However, there are some common fertiliser mistakes that farmers should avoid in order to achieve optimal results. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid:

1. over-fertilisation: If too much fertiliser is applied, it can lead to nutrient run-off, environmental pollution and lower crop yields. It is important to follow recommended application rates and avoid over-fertilisation.
2. under-fertilisation: Inadequate fertilisation can lead to nutrient deficiencies, stunted growth and lower yields. It is important to conduct soil tests and follow recommended fertilisation practices to ensure that the crop receives the necessary nutrients.
3. poor timing: applying fertiliser at the wrong time can lead to nutrient loss and reduced effectiveness. It is important to follow the recommended schedule and match fertiliser application to the specific needs of the crop.
4. incorrect placement: improper placement of fertiliser can lead to nutrient loss and reduced uptake by plants. It is important to place fertiliser in the root zone and avoid surface application.
5. neglect of soil health: neglect of soil health can lead to reduced nutrient availability and poor crop growth. It is important to maintain soil health through practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping and organic matter management.

By avoiding these common fertiliser mistakes and following recommended practices, you can optimise nutrient availability, promote healthy plant growth and achieve higher yields.

Benefits of proper fertilisation of maize

Proper fertilization is critical to maximizing corn yields and promoting healthy plant growth. Here are some benefits of proper maize fertilization:

1. higher yields: Proper fertilisation can help increase maize yields by providing the necessary nutrients for optimal plant growth and development.
2. improved plant health: proper nutrient supply can improve plant health and make them more resistant to pests, diseases and environmental stresses.
3. better quality: proper fertilisation can help improve maize quality by promoting uniformity, grain size and nutrient content.
4. cost savings: Proper fertilisation can help reduce input costs by optimising nutrient utilisation and minimising wastage.
5. environmental benefits: Proper fertilisation can help reduce nutrient runoff and pollution, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
6. soil health: proper fertilisation can improve soil health by promoting microbial activity, organic matter content and nutrient cycling.

By following recommended fertilisation practices and tailoring fertilisation to the specific needs of the crop, farmers can achieve these benefits and optimise maize production.

Sources:

• Asrade, Dinkayehu & Kulhanek, Martin & Černý, Jindřich & Sedlář, Ondřej & Jiří, Balík. (2022). Effects of long-term mineral fertilization on silage maize monoculture yield, phosphorus uptake and its dynamic in soil. Field Crops Research
• abdul rani, Rohazrin & Sayuti, Adli & Khadzir, Mohd & Ahmad, Muhammad. (2021). Calibration and Performance Evaluation of Grain Corn Fertilizing Implement. Advances in Agricultural and Food Research Journal.
• Korchak, Mykola & Yermakov, Serhii & Maisus, Vasyl & Oleksiyko, Serhiy & Pukas, Vitaliy & Zavadskaya, Iryna. (2020). Problems of field contamination when growing corn as monoculture. E3S Web of Conferences.