Prepared By Seed Co Agronomy Desk

At Seed Co, we’re committed to supporting our farmers beyond just providing high-quality seeds. Our team of expert agronomists is dedicated to sharing knowledge and expertise to help you achieve a successful harvest. Through our mobile app, Seedney, and regular articles, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Why Proper Fertilizer Application Matters

For a successful maize harvest, it’s essential to start with proper land preparation, including soil analysis and sampling. This helps determine the fertilizer requirements for your specific soil conditions. In this article, we’ll focus on calculating fertilizer requirements for maize production.

Nutrient Requirements for Maize (per hectare):

• Nitrogen (N): 150 kg
• Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 60 kg
• Potassium (K₂O): 40 kg
  Commonly Used Fertilizers
• Urea (46% N)
• DAP (18% N, 46% P₂O₅)
• MOP (60% K₂O)

Calculating Fertilizer Requirements:

• Phosphorus requirement from DAP: 60 kg P₂O₅ ÷ 46% × 100 = 130 kg DAP
• This also provides: 130 kg DAP × 18% N ÷ 100 = 23.4 kg N
• Nitrogen requirement from Urea: Remaining N = 150 kg – 23.4 kg = 126.6 kg N
• 126.6 kg N ÷ 46% × 100 = 276 kg Urea
• Potassium requirement from MOP: 40 kg K₂O ÷ 60% × 100 = 67 kg MOP

Final Fertilizer Requirements per Hectare for Maize

• Urea: 276 kg
• DAP: 130 kg
• MOP: 67 kg

Guidelines for Application

• Apply all DAP and MOP at planting as basal application.
• Split Urea into three equal portions: one at planting, one at knee height, and one just before tasseling.
• Integrate organic manure or compost to improve soil structure and long-term fertility.
• Maintain adequate soil moisture for effective nutrient uptake.
• Conduct soil testing regularly to adjust fertilizer rates according to local conditions.
  By following these guidelines and calculating your fertilizer requirements accurately, you’ll be able to provide your maize crop with the right nutrients at the right time, leading to healthy growth, higher yields, and sustainable soil management.

Get in touch with our expert agronomists (https://seedcogroup.com/mw/fieldcrops/about-us/agronomists/) or download the Seedney app for personalized advice and product knowledge