Page 37 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Activity 2.7
Visit a maize field established at your school farm and carry out the following
tasks:

1. Observe plants for pests or disease symptoms, then describe what you
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observed;

2. For each identified pest and disease in (a) above, suggest the best way of
managing them and apply the recommended methods in the field; then,
3. Monitor the effectiveness of the methods you have used by counting the
number of pests before and after applying each method. Collect and record
data consistently for at least three weeks, then use your findings to write a
report.

Exercise 2.2
1. You have decided to grow maize during the dry season. Choose an appropriate
water management practice to use. Explain why you chose that practice and
not others.

2. Explain the maize growth stages with relatively higher soil water requirements
for optimal growth and yield.

3. Answer the following questions on fertiliser application on maize production.
(a) What are the main growth stages i maize that are critical for fertiliser
application?

(b) For each stage name the fertiliser that is recommended and the purpose/
function of the fertiliser.

(c) What are the main nutrients in each fertiliser and how does each nutrient
help the plant growth.

Harvesting, postharvest management and marketing of the maize
Depending on cultivar and altitude, maize is generally ready for harvesting in
4 - 8 months. Harvest the maize cob when it becomes mature and dry. Maize can
be manually harvested by either cutting the stalks and stooking them upright in
the field for several weeks to hasten drying of the cobs (refer to Figure 2.12 (a)),
and then, the cobs are removed by hand. Maize cobs are then removed from the

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