Maize is grown in all the regions of Zambia but it is more suited to Regions I and II. In region III yields are low especially in fields which are not limed due to aluminum toxicity as the soils are acidic.
Being a sub-tropical plant, maize prefers hot sunny conditions with reliable and evenly distributed rainfall. Maize does well under frost free conditions and when mean daily temperatures are above 15oC. For germination, the lowest mean daily temperature is about 10oC. Maize can be grown successfully on a wide range of soils from loamy sands to clays provided there is sufficient depth (at least one meter) and the crop is properly fertilized. It does well under pH ranging between 4.7 and 6.5.
Recommended Varieties: Farmersare advised to select varieties suited to their region and also the time of planting may help decide the variety to use. The yields are determined by a number of factors among which are; time of planting, soil fertility level and general management factors.
Variety | Characteristics | |
1. | GV 635 | Type: Three-way hybrid |
Tolerance: Tolerant to MSV, drought, GLS. | ||
Days to maturity: 125-135 days | ||
Grain type: Semi-flint | ||
Seed rate: 20kg/ha | ||
Spacing: 90 x 25cm | ||
Target regions:I, II, III | ||
Yield potential: up to 11,000kg/ha | ||
2. | GV 638 | Type: Three-way hybrid |
Tolerance: Tolerant to MSV, drought, GLS. | ||
Days to maturity: 125-135 days | ||
Grain type: Semi-flint | ||
Seed rate: 20kg/ha | ||
Spacing: 90 x 25cm | ||
Target regions: I, II, III | ||
Yield potential: up to 10,000kg/ha | ||
3. | ZM 521 | Type: Open-pollinated variety |
Tolerance: Medium tolerance to low nitrogen, drought, GLS and blight | ||
Days to maturity: 120-130 days | ||
Grain type: Semi-dent | ||
Seed rate: 20kg/ha | ||
Spacing: 90 x 25cm | ||
Target regions:I, II | ||
Yield potential: 4,500-5,500kg/ha | ||
4. | MM 409 | Type: Open-pollinated variety, early maturing |
Tolerance: Medium tolerance to low nitrogen, drought and GLS | ||
Days to maturity: 90-100 days | ||
Grain type: Flint | ||
Seed rate: 20kg/ha | ||
Spacing: 90 x 25cm | ||
Target regions:I, II | ||
Yield potential: 4,000-4,500kg/ha | ||
1-ZAMBIA’S AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES
Key
AER 1 = Agro-Ecological Region 1
- Less than 800mm rainfall per year.
- 80-120 effective growing days.
- Suitable for millet, sorghum, maize, groundnuts, soyabeans.
AER 2A and AER 2B = Agro-Ecological Region 2a and Agro-ecological Region 2B
- 800-1, 000mm rainfall per year.
- 100-140 effective growing days.
- Suitable for maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea, groundnuts, soyabeans.
AER 3 = Agro-Ecological Region 3
- More than 1, 000mm rainfall per year.
- 160+ effective growing days.
- Suitable for maize, millet, sorghum, groundnuts, beans, rice, soyabean
C.2-ZAMBIA’S AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.