Many economic and agronomic factors influence the productivity, profitability and long-term success of farming. A number of these are within a producer's control, as successful maize production depends to a large extent on the farmer's choices and correct application of production inputs, says Hendrik van Staden, Syngenta Seed's business unit head for sub-Saharan Africa.
"Although farmers have no control over environmental stress conditions such as rain or drought, certain practices can minimise these risks. Farmers can manipulate the environment in which they produce maize through hybrid choice, cultivation practices, soil conditioning and fertilisation, crop rotation, irrigation, and pest and disease control," he explains.
PLANTING
Andries Wessels, seed product development manager at Syngenta, points out that the first 40 days of a maize plant's development are critical.
"Management practices during this period can have a substantial influence on yield potential. When planting, the goal is to establish a land comprising uniformly spaced and sized plants at a density that will result in the best economic return on your seed investment."
According to Grant Pringle, product agronomist
