Page 29 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Seed Category Optimal Average Maturity Attributes
variety altitude grain yield (days)
(metres) (t/ha)
Resistant to Leaf rust, grey
LUBANGO Hybrid 900 – 10.0 110 leaf spot, and Maize streak
HYBRID 1,500
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
virus
1,200 – Tolerant to grey leaf spot
UH615 Hybrid 8 - 9 155 - 160
2,000 and Leaf blight

1,200 – Good resistance to Leaf
UH6303 Hybrid 9 - 10 150 - 160
2,000 blight (and grey leaf Spot

Tolerance to Leaf blight,
800 –
TH 617 Hybrid 8 - 9 70 grey leaf spot and Maize
1,500
streak virus

Source: Adopted from MoA (2018)

Generally, for commercial purposes, hybrids are recommended as they suit
many favourable production environments, respond well to high management
levels, and result in higher yields as compared to open-pollinated varieties. Their
uniformity in some production characteristics features, such as maturity and plant
height, facilitates farmers to carry out certain operations, such as harvesting at the
same time, thus appropriate for large-scale farming. It should be noted, however,
that new varieties for both OPV and hybrids are being developed and released
and therefore, a need to be inquisitive about more improved varieties.

Sowing
Sowing of the maize is done as per the supplier’s recommendation based on
the growth characteristics of the variety. The seeds are sown on either deep-
cultivated flat beds or ridges at a row space ranging from 60 to 90 cm and 30 to
45 cm between plants in a row. The seeds are sown 2 - 3 cm deep. Depending
on the seed supplier’s recommendation, one or two seeds are sown per hole. In
small-scale production, sowing can be done manually, using well-prepared pegs,
spaced calibrated rope and a hoe. At least two workers are needed to carry out the
activity (Figure 2.3(a)). For large-scale commercial production, sowing can be
effectively done using a space-calibrated planter (Figure 2.3(b)).

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