Fertiliser application should be done at the right time when the crop requires nutrients. NMG PHOTO
Farmer Moses' maize crop is now about knee-high and the first weeding was done. This week, the farmer was working on top-dressing as he followed the fertiliser programme we developed. For fertiliser application, one should follow the 4Rs concept to enable the plants to utilise the nutrients efficiently. The 4Rs stand for the right source, right rate, right time and the right fertiliser as required by the crop.
For the right source, one should match the fertiliser type with the needs of the crop. For example, during planting, Farmer Moses used phosphorus fertiliser to enable root development. Phosphorus is applied into each hole and thoroughly mixed to prevent scorching the maize seeds. Fertiliser application should be done at the right time when the crop requires nutrients. This decision should be based on the consideration of crop nutrient uptake, soil supply, nutrient-loss risks and field operation.
Nitrogen
For instance, the use of nitrogen during planting results in the loss of nutrients since the mineral is highly soluble in water, and easily leached beyond the plants' roots zone. Nitrogenous fertiliser should thus be used during topdressing. In Farmer Moses' case, he will top apply Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN). He will apply it at the rate of 25 grams per metre square. During the flowering and grain filling stages, Farmer Moses will apply potassium nitrate at the rate of 25 grams per metre square. Urea can also be used in topdressing instead of CAN since it also provides nitrogen.
However, the majority of growers apply CAN since it has a lower volatilisation risk in dry soils and has a neutral effect on soil acidity. The optimum timing of fertiliser application is determined by the nutrient uptake pattern of the crop.
Wrong timing of application results in nutrient loss, fertiliser wastage, and crop and environmental damage. Farmers should consider splitting fertiliser applications to prevent salt damage to the crop and improve the plant's nutrient uptake rates. The quantities of nutrients applied to the crop depend on the requirements and soil fertility. In Farmer Moses' case, precise amounts will be applied since he conducted the soil test analysis. Applying excess fertiliser results in loss of nutrients as the plants cannot absorb all of it.
Nitrogenous fertiliser
Put the fertiliser in the right place. For instance, foliar fertiliser should be applied to the leaves and not to the soil. Avoid putting too much nitrogenous fertiliser on the leaves, as this results in scorching effects. The Fertigation method can be used in top dressing in cases where drip irrigation or centre pivot irrigation systems are being used in crop production. However, one should ensure the fertiliser used is soluble in water.
Side-dressing or banding methods can also be used in top-dressing as it enables the growers to provide a high nutrient concentration in the vicinity of the developing roots for efficient crop nutrient uptake. Fertiliser application should be done when the soil is sufficiently wet, as this helps to immobilise the nutrients and prevent surface runoff. Above is the fertiliser application programme that Farmer Moses will be using.
Keeping perfect maize farm records Keeping accurate records is key to operating a thriving agribusiness. Financial and production records are among the crucial documents one should have. The financial records capture details of product sales, daily or running costs, equipment purchases, inventories and depreciation. On the other hand, production records contain information on plant populations, crop yields and the quantities of inputs used, including water and fertiliser.
I guided Farmer Moses through the process of keeping records, which is basically the act of gathering information accurately and keeping it in an orderly manner. The records can be filled up manually using templates or sample forms or automatically using a computerised system. One can create a template where these activities are documented. For instance, in a fertiliser programme, one captures the actual quantity used and the cost per unit area.
Modern technology
Currently, farmers are adopting modern technology for both productivity and agricultural recordkeeping. Applications for farm management systems, for instance Farmers Wallet, are used to maintain agricultural records on the farm. The free application is installed on a mobile phone or computer. A given crop cycle activity information is fed into the app. The system automatically sends alerts to the farmer on the activities that need to be done at a given crop stage.
This makes it easier to keep track of all the activities going on and those to be done. Such apps are ideal for telephone farmers since they can monitor changes in all of the activities happening on the farm while they are away. But users must first familiarise themselves with the system's functionality if they are to use it efficiently in crop production. The records help the farmer to determine the farm's profitability, to keep track of what was done, and to compare the efficiency of the farm inputs used during the production. Using this information, the farmer can decide on the best or next enterprise to undertake. Most lending institutions and insurance companies require one to have well-documented farm records, thus, keeping them is advantageous.
Accurate records
Farming is a business, and keeping accurate records helps the farmer choose the best approach. A farmer can determine from their agricultural records whether they are consistently making gains or losses. Therefore, based on the pricing in the previous production, farmers can forecast market prices and input costs. The amount of money spent or earned from the farm sales can also be reconciled. Germination percentage records help in determining the seeds for the next season. On the other hand, chemical records help in ensuring control of pests and diseases and that the pre-harvest interval is well-observed to reduce the crop chemical residues.
