Agronomy Manual PDF

FARMERS GUIDE
-GRAIN CROPS-
Seed Co
Farmers Guide
Foreword
Agriculture Revolution, A Must Win Battle: It Can Be Done!
Agriculture is at the centre of Zimbabwe’s economy and holds the key to poverty reduction, economic and industrial develop-
ment. Successful and productive farming is the golden key to food security and national wellbeing. As Seed Co we see farmers
as economic partners that we support through our world-class fit for purpose Breeding Programmes, Seed distribution and
Extension support. The key elements of farmer’s profit equation are well-bred seed, good agronomic and management
practices to optimise the seed potential. We are always striving to broaden our seed basket and provide superior genetics of
both field crops and vegetables.
This Farmers Guide is a step in our efforts to support farmers and ensure good agronomic and grain crop management
practices. We are obsessed with enhancing farmer productivity. The farmer profit story is our key motivation and that is what
this Farmers Guide is all about. The figure below shows our perspective of this story:
SUPERIOR
GENETICS
We breed the best seed
1
to ensure farmer
productivity. Our seed
basket includes: maize,
wheat, soya-beans,
sorghum, sugar beans
EXTENSION AGRONOMIC
SUPPORT MANAGEMENT
Good farming is a On farm practices
relationship. We provide to ensure that seed
4
ongoing farmer support
through our radio, TV,
digital and print media
programmes. Other
2 potential is optimised.
The Seed Co Farmers
Guide provides a
foundation for good
extension tools include 11 ton practices.
plus club, high achievers
and field days.
FARM
MANAGEMENT
This embodies all the
3
planning elements that
must be done to assess
resources, deployment
and ensure success of
the farming enterprise.
As you use this Farmers Guide we wish you success and our Agronomy and Extension Services Desk is always ready to
support you. Together we can write a new story of successfull farming in Zimbabwe.
Denias Zaranyika
Seed Co Limited Regional Managing Director (Southern Africa)
Seed Co
Farmers Guide
Contents
03 Basics of productive crop farming 12 Crop protection 50 Strive to be a crop doctor

03 Soil 13 Check list for choosing the right
04 Water chemical
13 Tips on safe use of crop protection
04 Nutrients
04 Sunlight, air and temperature
13 Harvesting
04 Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs)
04 Main factors that reduce yields 13 Hand harvesting
A crop doctor is a farmer who takes
14 Mechanical harvesting
time to investigate his fields in order
05 Application of fertiliser and manure 14 Postharvest handling of grain
to prevent problems and improve
14 Grain storage productivity. He walks his fields
06 Checklist before applying fertilizers
16 Crop planning and budgeting regularly, observing, thinking,
06 Brief key to deficiency symptoms
inspecting and evaluating. He
on maize
21 Maize production diagnoses problems and seeks
06 Soil Conditioning and Liming -
The secret to improving crop solutions.
productivity 26 Mid-season management
28 Hard facts about weeds in maize 12 Crop protection
09 Planting and planting time 28 Yield forecasting in maize
28 Soils and climate
10 Variety selection 31 Sorghum production
10 Factors which affect varietal choice

33 Soybean production
10 Soil And Water Conservation Crop protection is concerned with

40 Groundnut production ensuring that pests, diseases and
10 Yield targets weeds are maintained at levels,
42 Sugarbean production which do not cause economic
10 Land preparation damage to crops. It begins with
44 Cowpeas production giving the crop every opportunity to
11 Conservation tillage grow well.
12 Conventional tillage 45 Wheat production
13 Harvesting
Introduction by Agronomy and Extention Services Manager
Seed Co is committed to enhancing the productivity of farmers. This is primarily
achieved through the provision of quality seed of the best food crop varieties
suited to each agro-ecological environment of Zimbabwe. However, the right
crop variety and certified seed are only two parts of the farmer’s strategy to be
productive and profitable. Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs) play a crucial role
in achieving high and economically sustainable yields. A productive farmer has to Farmers should plan for harvesting,
combine variety choice and the environment with GAPs to be successful. This prepare equipment early and
manual provides some basic information that will help farmers produce maize, set/calibrate machinery,
soyabean, groundnuts, sorghum, cowpea and wheat efficiently, profitably and
packaging/bagging materials and
sustainably.
dryers should be in place and ready.
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There are a thousand reasons for low

yields, but only two reasons for higher
yields: Seed Co Seed and adoption
of Good Agronomic Practices
The Basics of Productive Crop Farming

Other soil factors that affect crop
productivity include:
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acidity, alkalinity, salinity and toxic
chemicals.
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and in waterlogged soils.
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washes away nutrients.
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rocks, gravel, hard sub-soil layers and
surface crusts.
NB: Soil acidity must be corrected promptly by

liming. We will give an addendum on issues to
do with soil conditioning in later sections.
Soil conditions that favour crop growth

include:
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slightly acid to neutral are best for most
crops, while saline soils are adverse for
most crops. Soil management follows this
Soil rule, “Productive soils are always fertile, but
fertile soils are not always productive.”
Soil is one of the most basic resources required for crop production. It is the t%FQUIBOEESBJOBHF%FFQFSBOEXFMM
medium where crops grow. It is made up of very small rock particles, organic drained soils are better than shallow soils,
matter, micro-organisms, air and water, and the proportions of these and many simply because they store more water and
other related factors have an impact on the potential for crop production. The allow water movement.
two basic universal limiting factors of soil for crop production are: t5FYUVSFBOETUSVDUVSF5IFTFSFGFSUPUIF
-the ability to supply nutrients; and amount of clay in a soil and the way the soil
-the supply of water. particles bind together. Soils with some
clay tend to be better than pure sands,
while soils with a good structure are stable,
resist erosion and are good for crop
production.
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for good crop production.

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some factors within their control which
directly reduce crop yields, such as
weeds, pests and diseases, and others
which may add to yield potential, such as
fertilisation, plant spacing, and timing of
planting, land preparations, variety
selection and water conservation
measures.
t.BOBHFNFOUSFRVJSFTUIBUUIFGBSNFSEPFT
everything to promote those factors that
enhance crop production and as much as
necessary to minimise those factors that
reduce crop production, while at the same
time ensuring profitability.
The main factors that reduce

yields are:
Water Biotic stress

>Weeds
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or both. The key for good crop growth is to have a balance between too little competition for water, sunlight,
water and too much water, as either case may adversely affect crop productivity. nutrients, space below and above the
Over-supply and under-supply of water all have negative implications on crop TPJM8FFETDPNQFUFXJUIDSPQTGPS
growth. The best situation is where there is sufficient water to meet the needs of sunlight, water and nutrients.
the crop during the various stages of its, growth; therefore it is not just the total t$SPQZJFMETBSFNPTUBEWFSTFMZBGGFDUFE
amount of rainfall or irrigation but the distribution that is important for good by weed competition during the first
growth. In regions where rainfall or water supply is insufficient, conservation of four weeks after crop emergence.
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activities like spraying and harvesting.
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t$SPQTOFFEDIFNJDBMFMFNFOUTGPS t5IFTVOQSPWJEFTUIFFOFSHZOFFEFEGPS control to prevent economic damage
growth and reproduction, but not all in plant growth. and to minimise production costs which
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and phosphorous, are generally worry about in Africa. &DPOPNJD5ISFTIPME-FWFMT&5-T
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deficient in most African soils and have t)PXFWFS BUUJNFTJOTVNNFS DMPVEZ they must be controlled otherwise yield
to be supplied in large quantities. overcast, cool conditions may slow reduction and economic losses may
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small amounts, but a lack of them may may cause plants to fall over (called t*ONBOZDBTFT FTQFDJBMMZXJUIEJTFBTFT
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temperature regimes in areas that used
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for failed crop production, when in fact
follow recommendations of routine crop
their own management might be lacking.
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of micro-nutrient deficiency. time before economic damage is caused.
often forgotten or neglected ingredient
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Abiotic stress
>Climate and water
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Farmers Guide
Checklist before applying

fertilizers:
Are other agronomic factors (variety,
plant protection, water, etc.) satisfatory?
Are basic requirements of soil fertility

fulfilled? (pH, organic matter, stable
porous soil structure, absence of
compacted layer, good drainage, no
salinity).
Which nutrients need not be considered

in this particular soil? (Many soils have
adequate Ca, Fe, Mo, etc.)
Which nutrients need not be considered

every year? (e.g. Mg may be supplied in Item on: Soil Conditioning and be promoted and encouraged.
liming material, Zn, B and Cu in long- Liming-The secrete to improv- Some would even argue for the
lasting, slow-acting fertilisers.) legitimation of this critical aspect.
ing crop productivity
What amounts of fertiliser Phosphorus Soil pH is an excellent chemical indicator t4FDPOEMZBQQMJDBUJPOPGGFSUJMJ[FSTJT
and K (Potassium) are needed at sowing of soil conditions (quality and its ability to heavily recommended if we are to get
time? (To be determined by soil testing avail both macro and micro nutrients) to good crop productivity levels and
or, in well supplied soils, estimated from the crop on top of other soil structural returns on investment.
nutrients removal by crop). quality properties. The soil pH also t5IFQSJODJQMFJTUPBQQMZUIFSJHIU
affects microbial activities in the soil quantities of the right type of fertilizer at
What kind and amount of N fertiliser is which can impact crop growth. the right time and place.
needed, and when? (Either based on t'FSUJMJ[FSSFHJNFNBOBHFNFOUTIPVME
expected yield or soil testing). Why is soil sampling and follow prescriptions from the soil
analysis important? analysis recommendations.
Which nutrients may have special t'JSTUMZGBSNFST.645TBNQMFUIFJSTPJMT
problems in this soil (e.g. fixation of Mn) for pH and fertility analysis. t*UJTJNQPSUBOUUPTBNQMFZPVSTPJMTGPS
or are needed in large amounts by t*GUIFSFBSFBOZJNCBMBODFTJOUIFTPJM analysis after every 3-4 years
particular plant species (e.g. S for oilseed pH and fertility, they must be corrected depending on soil type.
rape, B for beet and legumes)? promptly e.g. low pH is corrected by t8FSFDPNNFOEZFBSTGPSMJHIUFSTPJMT
MJNJOH6TFPGBQQSPQSJBUFMJNJOHBHFOUT BOEGPSIFBWJFSTPJMT*OBTFBTPOUIF
What is the best way of applying (dolomitic or calcitic lime) is best time to sample soils is the first
fertiliser? (Banding in crops such as recommended as this enhances week after harvesting a summer crop.
maize is usually more efficient than 'FSUJMJ[FS6TF&GmDJFODZ '6&
This will give the farmer a good lead
broadcasting, depth and placement of Agricultural lime is a relatively cheap soil time to correct any deficiencies in the
fertiliser should relate to root structure. conditioner whose many benefits to the soil, 3-6 months before establishing the
Broadcasting is more efficient on other farmer far outweigh the cost of next crop in summer.
crops such as soyabean, sugar bean, procuring and applying it. t'BSNFSTTIPVMEOPUFUIBUMJNFDBOCF
and sorghum. t)FODFUIFDPOUJOVPVTBOEDPOTJTUFOU applied even on the day of planting and
use of lime will enhance the profitability still act as a “buffer” before correcting
of any cropping concern. the soil acidity condition but the
t5IJTJTUIFUPQTFDSFUUPFOIBODJOH ideal/optimum time to apply is at least
ZJFME*UJTPVSTUSPOHGFFMJOHUIBUJUNVTU three months before planting the next
crop.
How important is pH on NPK uptake efficiency?

For more appreciation on the importance of pH on crop development, farmers should refer to the following
table showing NPK uptake efficiency vs pH levels:
This is critical information.
pH level 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 6.8

Nitrogen 30% 43% 77% 89% 100% 100%
Phosphorus 23% 31% 48% 52% 100% 100%
Potassium 33% 52% 77% 100% 100% 100%
Key:
6
Farmers Guide
How to sample soils? time for actioning of the acid and a soil with pH greater than 7
tThe most commonly used procedure recommendations e.g. if lime is to be is considered alkaline.
for soil sampling would be based on soil applied then the best time is 3 – 6 t"HPPEMJNJOHQSPHSBNJTCBTFEPOTPJM
type. months before crop establishment. test that determines the degree of soil
tFields are split into sampling blocks that tMid or late summer is the appropriate acidity and the correct amount of a
contain similar soils e.g. block A, B, C time to collect soil samples for winter liming material needed to neutralize that
and so on. wheat. acidity. Once this amount is
tHillsides are kept separate from tPhosphorus level in the soil should be determined, a liming material must be
bottoms since the soil types will vary determined prior to seeding winter selected that will economically satisfy
greatly. wheat. the soil test recommendation and result
tSoil survey maps, if applicable, can help tNitrate-nitrogen tests made prior to in maximum and efficient crop
organize the soil types throughout the planting winter wheat help predict productivity levels.
sampling area. Samples will not nitrogen fertilizer needs for the crop.
necessarily need to be collected for What causes soils to be acidic?
every soil type; however, similar soils Where are the Laboratories? There are basically three causes of soil
should be kept together. tMost fertilizer houses do sampling free acidity:
tThe zig zag, random, the cross diagonal of charge or for a nominal fee. t4PJMTNBZCFDPNFNPSFBDJEBTBSFTVMU
methods are commonly used and tOther approved laboratories include the of harvested crops removing bases
recommended where samples are Department of Specialist Services-Soil such calcium and magnesium from the
taken in a zig zag or at cross diagonal Chemistry laboratories. Other soil. This is a normal and natural
format from a block. This will result in a recognized laboratories include Soil process. Different crops remove
sample which scientifically represents Testing Laboratory at the University of different amounts of Calcium and
the whole block. Zimbabwe‘s Soil Science Department; Magnesium from the soil.
tThe sampling block will be dependent Tobacco Research Board, AgLabs,
on the soils and topography. Generally, Africa University, fertiliser companies t3BJOGBMMBMTPBGGFDUTTPJMQ) XIFSFCZ
a block of 10-20 ha is considered the (Omnia, Windmill, ZFC) etc. tAlways water passing through the soil leaches
maximum size. prescribe the intended tests before basic nutrients such as Calcium and
tSmaller sampling blocks may be submission. Magnesium beyond the root zone into
needed if the soils are quite variable or tWe strongly recommend farmers to do drainage water replacing them with
a production problem is apparent and a full analysis (pH and soil nutrient acidic elements such as Hydrogen,
evident. profiling). Manganese and Aluminum and thereby
tOnce the sampling block is determined, tSoil analysis results normally come with acidifying the soil.
a sufficient number of sites/cores recommendations. We recommend
should be taken to acquire a farmers to understand the t"QQMJDBUJPOPGOJUSPHFOGFSUJMJ[FSTFH
representative sample. This is generally recommendations from the laboratory Ammonium Nitrate or Urea and, to a
10 to 20 sites. The depth of sample for tests and also to seek technical lesser extent, basal fertilisers, contribute
guidance in the interpretation of results to soil acidity by nitrification of
surface soils would be about 20cm or
from Agritex extension personnel in ammonium to nitrate through a process
as deep as the primary tillage or
their respective holding areas. which releases hydrogen ions. Organic
specifically as deep as the root zone of
tSeed Co Agronomy Services also matter breaks down naturally in the soil
intended crop(s). This is also called the
assists in interpreting results from and hydrogen ions are released, which
tillage layer. laboratories. Contact a Seed Co
tThe most commonly used tools for Agronomist in your province.
causes an increase in soil acidity. Plants
taking samples are augers, probes, release hydrogen ions to the soil which
hoes or sometimes shovels. contributes to the soil acidity.
tSamples from different sites in a block What are Acid Soils?
t5IFTFBSFTPJMTXJUIBQ)NFBTVSFPG
are then mixed thoroughly and bagged Why does soil acidity matter
into a khaki pocket and labelled. less than 7 on a Calcium Chloride Scale
in Zimbabwe. These soils contain high to crop productivity?
Information on the labels should include t5PYJDJUZUPDSPQBTUIFQ)EFDSFBTFT
farmer name, farm name, contact levels of active hydrogen and or
aluminum in relation to calcium and below 5.5, the availability of aluminum
details, block name, date taken and
magnesium levels. and manganese increase and may
intended crop before they are
submitted for analysis to approved t'BSNFSTDBOJNQSPWFUIFTPJMRVBMJUZPG reach a point of toxicity to the plant.
acid soils by liming to adjust pH to the Excess aluminium ions in the soil
laboratories.
levels needed by the crop to be grown. solution interfere with root growth and
function, as well as restricting plant
When to sample soils? t4PJMQ)JTUIFNFBTVSFPGUIFBDJEJUZPS uptake of certain nutrients.
tWinter is the ideal time for soil sampling alkalinity of the soil. The degree of tEffect on phosphorus availability: Acid
except for testing for nitrate-nitrogen in acidity or alkalinity is determined by soils cause phosphorus to form
sandy soils. measuring the concentration of the insoluble compounds with aluminium
tWinter sampling allows more time to get hydrogen ions in the soil solution. This and iron.
the results from the testing laboratory is expressed in terms of a scale with a Liming of soils with low pH dissolves
and avoids the busy laboratory range of 0 to 14. these insoluble compounds and allows
schedule in the spring. t"TPJMXJUIBQ)PGJTDPOTJEFSFE phosphorus to be more available for
tGetting results on time will also allow neutral while less than 6 is considered plant uptake.
7
Farmers Guide
Micronutrient availability: Acidic soils t Hand application is normally not recom- tWe strongly discourage farmers to blindly
affect the availability of micronutrients in mended when the weather is windy. apply lime without qualification of the
the soil and ultimately general crop However, some smallholder farmers mix liming agent from soil analysis results.
development and productivity lime with a basal fertilizer before applica- This can result in some detrimental
t Soil organisms: Some micro-organisms tion and giving commendable results. effects to the soil and crop productivity. It
e.g. important bacteria and fungi in the However, the only concern with this can result in what we call preferential
soil associated with nitrification require a method is on the timing of lime applica- uptake.
certain soil pH level to function efficiently tions (basal fertilizers are normally applied tIn Zimbabwe we basically have two
in acidic soils (low pH). during planting and yet we recommend types of liming agents i.e. Dolomitic Lime
t Soil physical condition: Liming lime to be applied 3-6 months before (Magnesium Carbonate) which is ideal for
improve soil physical structure by crop establishment). But still act as a adjusting pH in magnesium deficient
reducing soil crusting/capping and this buffer. soils.
promotes better emergence of small- t The other agent available in Zimbabwe is
seeded crops and ultimately result in What amounts of lime can one Calcitic Lime (Calcium Carbonate) which
better crop stands. Remember popula- is suited for adjusting pH in calcium
apply?
tion stand is key in attaining higher yields t We recommend farmers to follow deficient soils.
generally in all crops. recommendations on the soil analysis t There is no blanket recommendation for
results with regards to amounts and type a liming agent and hence this should be
When is the right time to lime? of lime to be applied. noted. Preferential uptake is when a
t Lime should be applied at least 3 to 6 t The amount is depended on the acidity certain nutrient is taken up at the
months before crop establishment since levels of the soil and differs from one soil expense of the other or a balanced
it takes a significant amount of time for type to another. uptake due to concentration differences.
lime to dissolve and react with the soil to t However, the following general t A good example is when Calcitic lime is
cause the desired adjustments in pH. In recommendation can be useful and is applied (blindly) instead of Dolomitic lime-
other words, a week after harvesting is dependent on the soil type. this will cause an increased uptake of
Amount of lime required to raise soil pH Calcium at the expense of a balanced
the best time to apply lime.
by 0.1 units for different soil types - a uptake with other elements e.g. Magne-
t However, farmers should note that,
gentle guide: sium, and therefore a crop will show
application of lime can still be done even
during crop establishment and the lime magnesium deficiencies-yield will be
Soil type Lime rates to raise affected.
can act as a ‘buffer’ which works as a
conduit for nutrient uptake from soil to by 0.1 pH units
crop through the roots and adjust the pH Sandy soils 100kg/0.1 pH units Lime vs Gypsum
during the later stages of the crop cycle. Sandy Loamy soils 120kg/0.1 pH units t This is a frequently asked comparison.
t Frequency of subsequent liming should Clay soils 200kg/0.1 pH units Lime (Calcium Carbonate/ Magnesium
be determined by soil tests. Carbonate) adjust soil pH and at the
t General interpretation: it means a farmer same time supply the soil with either
Lime placement and with a sandy soil requires 1000kg (1 Calcium or Magnesium and Carbon,
tonne) of lime to raise his pH from 4.5 depending on the liming agent used.
incorporation
(acidic) to 5.5. Lime ‘sweetens’ acidic soils.
t The most important factor determining
the effectiveness of lime is placement t On the other hand Gypsum (Calcium
What is maintenance liming? Sulphate) is a supplementary source of
and incorporation.
t The use of Nitrogen containing fertilizers Calcium and Sulphur which farmers
t Placement for maximum contact with the
increases soil acidity levels. We generally apply whenever there is deficiency of
soil into the root zone of the intended
recommend that whenever any form of these 2 elements in the soil.
crop/tillage layer is essential and must be
Nitrogen, be it from basal (compound D, t It should be noted that Gypsum does not
achieved.
L, S or J, blends and high analysis adjust soil pH but rather supplement the
t We generally recommend lime to be blends etc.) OR top dressing (e.g. soil with Calcium and Sulphur.
applied in the 15-25cm zone as this is a AN/Urea) is applied, a farmer needs a t Gypsum also improves the soil’s physical
root zone range of most food crops maintenance lime application of about structure i.e. removes hard setting
grown in Zimbabwe e.g. the staple 1.8kg for every 1kg of Nitrogen applied. clodiness, removes surface
crop - maize. This is applicable if one does not carry crusting/capping and improves soil
t For maximum effectiveness, lime should out a soil analysis before the next crop. workability.
be uniformly spread and incorporated However, the top recommendation is to
into and with the soil. Incorporation can sample your soils for analysis to
be achieved through discing or harrow- determine lime rates and type after at What are the benefits of
ing followed concurrently by a roller. least every 3 or 4 years of soil use. liming?
t In Zimbabwe liming agents are in t Liming generally improves soil structure
powdery formulations to increase surface What are the liming agents and nutrient availability in the soil and
area for quicker reaction with the soils. ultimately crop productivity and to a
available in Zimbabwe?
t Lime can be spread by hand or by lime
t It is important to sample your soils for
spreaders - which normally gives the analysis to determine pH and also the
best results. liming agent to be used.
Farmers Guide
greater extent improves livelihoods and

the economy at large. Liming also
provides some plant nutrients such as
Calcium or Magnesium and Carbon. The
t
favourite term for these is ‘complimentary
benefits’.
t Liming improves Fertilizer Use Efficiency

(FUE) of crops. Use of fertilizer alone
without lime results in poor fertilizer
uptake and reduces the economic
benefit of using fertilizer. In economic
terms, lime is an enabler to get the best
ROI on fertilizers. See table on NPK
uptake efficiency
Lime reduces availability of toxic

elements in the soil such as aluminum
and manganese. This results in improved
root development and ultimately nutrient Planting and planting time
uptake.
The planting operation is one of the most important in crop farming because it is
t Liming improves the soil physical the time when the seed or seedlings are placed in the ground to establish the
structure, resulting in good crop emer- crop. If there is poor establishment, yield potential is immediately limited. Factors
gence and stand, greater root prolifera- to consider are the time of planting, the plant spacing, and the depth of seeding
tion and an improved nutrient uptake. and placement of the seeds relative to fertilizer.
t Liming acid soils improves the environ-

ment for beneficial soil microorganisms. t The time of planting has a major effect while the deeper the seed is planted,
In simpler terms, liming acidic soils to on the yield of a crop. For most crops the longer will the seedling takes to
optimal levels creates a conducive there is an optimum time of planting, emerge and the weaker the plant be at
environment for microorganisms to carry which depends on the climatic emergence, which may reduce plant
out necessary processes in the soil eg conditions and the time taken to reach vigour and yield.
nitrification. A good example we always maturity. t Seed may be planted deeper into
mention to farmers is of a soyabean t For summer crops, such as maize, sandy soil or when dry planting (i.e.,
crop. For the rhizobium (inoculant) to cotton and groundnuts, early planting planting before the rain).
function properly (trap atmospheric at the beginning of the rainy season is t An important point to remember when
nitrogen and fix into usable nitrate- desirable, as yields decrease with late planting is to ensure good seed-to-soil
process widely known as nitrogen planting. contact, as this enables the necessary
fixation), there must be a conducive pH imbibition of water which initiates
range of 5.2 to 6. That is why soyabean t The plant spacing refers to the germination.
and most other legumes and food crops distance between rows and between
are sensitive to low soil pH. So generally plants in the row. The closer the t Allow for soil temperatures with dry
liming will increase crop productivity in all spacing, the greater the number of planting. Seed is a living organism that
crops (food, plantations and cash crops). plants per hectare. The ideal plant can desiccate and die.
t Liming promotes a more rapid break- spacing depends on the type of crop, t Plant seed at least 2 centimetres away
down of organic materials in the soil, variety and the climatic conditions such from applied fertilizers as the fertilizers
releasing nutrients to growing plants. as rainfall/water availability. can burn the seed.
t Liming improves the palatability of t Short statured crops like soyabean
forages. may be grown at closer spacing than
t Some herbicides and soil based tall, large crops such as maize. In drier
chemicals will not work properly in low areas, wider spacing is preferable in
pH soils, hence liming soils will enhance order to provide more soil water to the
the efficacy of some herbicides especially individual plants.
pre-emergent herbicides. t In high rainfall areas, or where there is
irrigation, closer spacing is possible.
t The sowing depth of a crop depends An important point to remember when

planting is to ensure good seed-to-soil
on the size of the seed, the type of soil
contact, as this enables the necessary
and the weather. imbibition of water which initiates
t Generally, smaller seeds are sown at a germination, emergence and good
shallower depth than larger seeds, crop establishment.
Farmers Guide
Yield targets
t:JFMEUBSHFUTGPSFBDIDSPQTIPVMECFTFUUPHJWFBHPBMUP
work towards.
tAt the end of the season, it is useful to determine whether
the target was achieved, and if not, establish the reasons in
order for improvements to be made.
tThe aim should be to increase yields each year. Some yield
targets for field crops are as follows:
Variety selection
For most crops there are a number of varieties available. NB: It is critical to benchmark one’s yields against the leading
These are often appropriate for certain conditions, such farmer’s yields in one’s area.
as dryland or irrigated and short season or long season
production. The Seed Co Seed Product Manual and the Matter of fact: Higher yields are closely related to higher
Crop Sections in this Booklet provide more information. It profits. Higher yields lower unit production costs and increase
is advisable not to rely on only one variety, but instead to profits per ha. Always aim for higher yields each cropping
grow a selection of the best varieties suitable to the season.
farm’s conditions. The use of certified seed also ensures
that the seed is of the highest quality in terms of genetic
purity, germination and viability/vigour.
Factors which affect varietal choice:

tamount and distribution of rainfall in ones’ area
tlength of the growing season
taltitude and air temperature
tsoil fertility and fertiliser application
tplanting date
Land preparation
tdesired plant density/population
toccurrence of pests and diseases Land preparation is the process of preparing fields
so that they may be planted to a crop. The objective
tgeneral management is to create a seedbed with a fine tilth to enable crop
establishment.
Soil And Water Conservation Practices
tSoil is the medium for crop production, while rainfall is one of
the most important limiting factors. 1. Minimum use of energy;
tTherefore, farmers ought to make every effort at conserving 2. Minimum damage to the soil; and
these two resources. This may be done using such 3. Maximum conservation of soil and water.
techniques as zero-tillage, ridge-tillage, tied-ridges, pot
holing, contour planting, strip-cropping, agroforestry or tThe land preparation methods will vary with crop, soil type,
minimum tillage. field conditions, tools available and the farmer’s overall
objective, but will generally involve some measure of soil
disturbance, called tillage.
tThe optimum amount of tillage may be defined as that which
maximises the return from the crop planted.
tThe more tillage that is applied, the more it will cost, the
more energy it will take, the more it will damage the
Farmers Guide
soil and the more water will be lost from the soil through tional tillage methods will reduce this cost driver significantly
evaporation. t Weed suppression. Residues on the soil surface smoothers
t Consequently, farmers need to consider ways of effectively weeds and reduce weed pressure.
reducing the amount of tillage. Not only does this save on
cost and energy, but it is usually better for the soil and helps Conservation tillage include:
to conserve soil and water, especially if there are residues Tied Ridging
remaining on the soil surface. t This involves either planting the crop in small furrows, on the
flat and making ridges during crop development, or planting
t A traditional form of land preparation in Africa is ploughing. the crop on prepared ridges, and then blocking the furrows
This is a system that inverts the soil, buries residues and at regular intervals.
pulverises the soil structure, leaving the soil exposed to t These “ties” act as mini-dams, which collect the rainwater
erosion. and minimise the flow of water off the field.
t The amount of soil, nutrients and water lost from ploughed tThey are effective in both a wet and dry season. In a wet
fields by erosion is great, and therefore it is an unsustainable season, the crop is elevated on the ridge and suffers less
method of land preparation and leads to the degradation of from water-logging. In a dry season, the trapping of rainfall
many farms. and conserving it in the field enhances yield.
t Furthermore, continuous shallow ploughing on sandy soils
leads to an increase in acidity, a decrease in magnesium and tTied ridging requires much draught power and labour, but it
results in poor yields. is possible to have a permanent ridge system, which is
simply maintained from year to year.
t Nevertheless, there are certain conditions under which tPermanent ridge tillage controls the traffic in the field and
ploughing may be warranted. leaves a compaction-free zone under each ridge.
t For example, ploughing may be necessary to incorporate tThere is also available appropriate machinery, both for animal
lime, or there may be a case for ploughing where the crop draught and tractor draught to manage ridge tillage and tied
seed requires a fine seedbed. Where ploughing is necessary, ridging systems.
it should be deep and preferably done in the winter season.
t However, for most field crops, ploughing should be consid- Some of the problems related to tied ridging include:
ered the exception and not the rule. If a field is to be t Poor germination of seed on ridges. This may be overcome
ploughed it must be for a very good reason, and only if no by timely planting when ridges are wet, or by making an “M”
other better options are available. shaped ridge or cup-shaped seed-planting hole to capture
rain water.
t Much better alternatives to ploughing exist, and these are t Weeding by hand may be difficult, but the key is early
generally termed conservation tillage systems. weeding, before weeds get too big. Alternatively, the ridges
t The aim with these is to carry out tillage only to the extent may be re-made when the crop is young, primarily as a
that is needed to produce a crop and with the primary aim of weeding operation. Thereafter the furrows may be closed
conserving soil and water. mechanically or by hand hoes.
t This is essential in parts of Africa because water is generally t Lack of implements. The normal ox-drawn plough may be
the most limiting factor, while the soil is the fundamental used for ridging, or a simple disc tie ridger adapted to the
resource for all farming activities and must be conserved. plough beam may be made.
t One of the keys to conservation tillage is the maintenance of tRidges get destroyed in winter by cattle. This is true to some
surface residues on the field to at least 30% soil cover. extent, especially on very weak sands, but generally, the
ridges are still visible by the end of winter and provide a guide
The major benefits of conservation tillage include: for re-ridging.
t Reduced soil erosion. The residues on the soil surface serve
to “cushion” the rainfall impact and slow the runoff of water Rip-on-row (also known as Mulch ripping).
(and soil) from the field. tThis involves ripping lines with a tined implement along the
tImproves infiltration of water into the soil and reduces intended planting row, following the contour line.
evaporation of water from the soil surface. tPlanting stations are marked out along the row with a hoe
t Moderates the extremes of soil temperature. This is ready for hand planting, or the seed is sown directly into the
especially important in October and November when soil furrow by hand or with a machine planter and then covered.
temperatures may be very high in the southern hemisphere t The advantage of rip-on-row is that it is quick, requires less
countries. draught power than ploughing or tied-ridging and helps to
t Improves soil structure. By minimising soil disturbance, the maintain surface residues.
soil is given an opportunity to consolidate, roots are able to tIt is useful where soils have a hard top-soil or surface crust,
bind the soil together and the organic matter in the soil and/or where crops like soyabean, dry beans or groundnuts
increases and soil organisms are able to flourish. are to be grown.
t Improves timeliness of operations. Tillage takes time and t Ripper tines are available which fit onto the ox-plough beam
energy. Reducing tillage saves time and energy and therefore after removal of the mouldboard. This system is effective for
gives more opportunities to carry out other essential soil water conservation in semi-arid areas, and reduces
operations. rainfall run-off in high rainfall areas.
t Reduces costs. Conventional tillage generally contributes 15
to 20% of the variable cost structure and adopting conserva-
Farmers Guide
Wet ripping
t This is when ripper tines are passed through the inter-row
space during crop development (especially before 4 Weeks
After Crop Emergence-WACE in maize). This helps conserve
moisture.
Zero-tillage
Involves sowing the crop directly into an untilled soil.
t Planting stations are made with hoes, or the seed is sown
with a specially made machine planter.
t The great benefits of zero-tillage are that it does not require
draught power, while soil and water are conserved, and
yields may be stabilised or enhanced.
t The labour requirements of zero-till are no more than any
other system, if well managed.
tTwo key factors for successful zero-tillage are the mainte-
nance of at least 30 % residue cover and good weed control.
In order to achieve this a farmer must:
Crop protection
Crop protection is concerned with ensuring that pests,
tbe prepared to control the extent of residue removal from
diseases and weeds are maintained at levels, which do
fields. It is better to leave crop residues on the land
not cause economic damage to crops. It begins with
t learn the system - begin small, learn how to deal with
giving the crop every opportunity to grow well, which
problems and expand progressively as experience is gained,
includes:
and
tNBJOUBJOJOHEJWFSTJUZBOESPUBUJPOT
t control weeds throughout the year. Late weed control and
tHPPETPJMGFSUJMJUZNBOBHFNFOUBOEUJNFMZQMBOUJOH BOE
winter weed control is essential and beneficial. The use of
tDPOTFSWBUJPOPGTPJMBOEXBUFS
herbicides may well help in zero-tillage.
t When using zero tillage it is important to use rotations,
monitor pests and diseases and beware of surface
compaction. tWhen pests, diseases and weeds become a problem, crop
protection relies on correctly identifying the nature and extent
At commercial level technology has brought in minimum of the problem and knowing how best to prevent or control
tillage compatible planters such as zero till planters, strip till the problem.
planters or minimum till planters which can plant in untilled tThus, the starting point is knowing the various weeds, pests
soils or even soils with previous crop residues. and diseases which may affect your crops.
tMake it a goal to learn about these problems by inquiring from
Conventional Tillage extension personnel and by studying specific farming books.
This normally follows this procedure: In addition, “scout” fields regularly in order to detect and
tRipping >Discing >Rolling >Planting predict the numbers of weeds, pests and diseases.
tCrop scouting is a form of insurance.
tPloughing>Discing >Rolling>Planting
tChisel Ploughing> Discing>Rolling>Planting The benefits of scouting are:
tDeep/ Primary tillage such as Ripping, Ploughing or Chisel Control measures are only applied when needed, fields are
Ploughing are normally recommended after 2 or 3 seasons of saved from unexpected losses through early detection and
soil use. control.
tDisking and Rolling are called Secondary tillage procedures.
Successful scouting of fields relies on the following:
tknowledge of the crop and the expected weeds, pests and
diseases
tfrequent scouting, at least weekly visits to each field are
required,
trepresentative areas of each field should be visited,
tplants must be thoroughly examined, including the roots,
stems, leaves, flowers and fruit, and
tmaintain written records of observations. In the case of
cotton, there are specialised scouting forms and pest
threshold levels available that help to determine when to apply
chemical control measures.
Zero-tillage Involves sowing the crop directly into an

untilled soil
Farmers Guide
Crop protection chemicals may be used to prevent or cure

problems. In either case, the chemical must be used
according to the instructions given.
Therefore, it is important that the farmer:

t knows what the problem is and how to control it;
t selects the appropriate chemical which is the least toxic to
humans and the environment (i.e., green label);
t reads, understands and follows the label instructions;
t applies the chemical at the correct time, in the correct
manner and at the right dosage rates;
t ensures that the spraying equipment is functioning properly;
and
t follows the appropriate safety precautions.
Harvesting And Harvesting Preparations

Check list for choosing the right chemical:
t Is it safe for the crops following in the rotation? Plan ahead and prepare for the harvest
t Is it effective? Farmers should plan for harvesting, prepare equipment
t Is it appropriate for the problem? early and set/calibrate machinery, packaging/bagging
t Is it safe for the user and environment? materials and dryers should be in place and ready. In
t Is it economically viable? addition, at least two full days will be needed to check
t Can it be safely and correctly applied using available machinery for proper maintenance, adjustments and
machinery? safety before harvest usually around April/May. We
advise farmers to review owner’s manuals of their
Tips on safe use of crop chemicals harvesting implements before making adjustments.
t Do not contaminate the environment. Pesticides must not be
spilt into water, onto the soil or in houses. tWe suggest farmers to book combines and transport on time
t Always read and understand the label on the pesticide tHealth checks on combines should be done around
container before use. Store pesticides in a cool, dry and April/May
ventilated place that may be securely locked and is out of tCheck moisture levels to allow for planning
reach of children. tHarvesting and drying can commence when the crop reaches
t Wear protective clothing when handling and using pesticides. a maximum moisture level of 20% and below. It makes
The more toxic a pesticide the more the necessity for economic sense to harvest and dry a crop at this moisture
protective clothing. This should include a hat, visor, overalls, level.
apron, gloves and boots. tThe optimum acceptable storage moisture levels for maize
t Never eat, drink or smoke while using pesticides. grain is 12.5% and below.
t Dispose of empty pesticide containers in such a way that
they will not cause a hazard to humans or animals. Never use Hand harvesting-maize
empty pesticide containers for food or water storage. Bang Board Trailer
t Only use appropriately designed equipment to apply tThis is an option to farmers who cannot access combine
chemicals. harvesters.
t Rotating the selection of herbicide in closely spaced rotations tCobs are loaded (by throwing) directly into a tractor drawn
needs careful consideration trailer which is fitted by a bang board.
t Apply chemicals only to labelled crops tIt is recommended that 6 rows be harvested on each side of
t Do not exceed maximum recommended rate for chemicals the trailer at a time.
t Apply at times recommended or specified on the label tThis is because workers become less accurate as the number
for spray equipment and for sprayer calibration refer to of rows increase and forward speed is also reduced.
appendices tThe cobs in the 2 rows straddled by the tractor wheels are
harvested first and heaped on the sides or on the rows and
loaded later or as the tractor passes.
Drums/Sacks and trailer:

tWhen large harvest gangs are available, the drums and trailer
method is recommended.
tCobs are harvested into a 25 litre container or a 25kg empty
bag then emptied into a tractor/animal drawn trailer.
tLarger containers can also be used but 2 workers may reap
into one container. For efficiency, 2 tractors and 3 trailers will
be ideal if the gang is large.
tThe crop (with husks) is then shelled using a tractor driven
sheller.
Farmers Guide
Using empty bags/sacks the reason why varieties with good standability are recom-
t Some farmers prefer reaping directly into sacks. This system mended and to always plant at recommended population
is particularly useful when shelling is done in the field. densities.
t The cobs are reaped into the sacks by reapers and they are t Land terrain: a well prepared and levelled (even) land is easy
emptied into tractor towed sheller. and less costly to harvest. Otherwise speed must be
t The ratio of reapers to waiter is 2:1. Reaping can be done adjusted/rather reduced if terrain is not even.
directly into a towable sheller. t Combine - trailer/truck/bin ratio: it is always recommended
t However, this has proved to be inefficient in most cases as for farmers to strike a good balance of combine harvesters
reapers may fail to match sheller rate. and trucks in the field for efficiency so that the combine must
not stop or wait for bins/trucks.
Mechanical harvesting
t Combine harvesters are mostly used in commercial setups Gleaning
especially when area under crop exceeds 50ha and are a t Field inspection during harvesting is always recommended.
modern harvesting technology which comes in two types t All knocked down crops and fallen cobs must be picked up
(Conventional and Rotary types). by gleaning gangs after the combine has passed.
t A combine harvester performs a bout of functions concur- t A relatively sizable gang is sent into the field to pick up the
rently (cutting the stalks, picking, de-husking, shelling, left overs following a combine harvester.
winnowing, blowing out chaff, cleaning the grain and loading t The collected left overs can be shelled by a sheller or fed into
bins/trailers for delivery, measuring grain moisture, test a running combine/sheller.
density and moisture among many traits.
Grain drying
With a combine: t Harvesting when moisture content is high may necessitate
t The farmer is independent of labour hires drying the crop/grain to the optimum moisture level for
t There is faster rate of harvesting than with hand harvesting, shelling/storage.
so the method suits large hecterages. t To maximise on land/irrigation utilisation, farmers are advised
t The machine can chop up the stover for ploughing down to harvest a maize crop before reaching storable moisture
and/or planting. level (12.5%) and plant a winter crop.
t This method works well with bulk handling operations.
However: t This will require drying the crop/grain which can be done
t When there are problems with cob rots, there is no naturally or artificially.
possibility/provision of sorting out the affected cobs.
t The combine cannot pick up cobs lying on the ground and t With natural drying, the cobs are left on the plant to dry or
as a result it will not work efficiently on lodged crops. reaped and heaped in strips on open dry land/slabs.
t Steep slopes, small fields and moisture content (high) of the t The cobs can also be reaped and put in cribs and left to dry
crop affect the efficiency of the machine. to the required moisture content.
t The combine cannot work well in densely weeded fields. t Alternatively, grain is dried in bags; but this tends to be a very
slow process.
What needs to be checked on a combine harvester? t Normally natural drying is common when the weather is
t Harvesting losses must not exceed 3% when using a sunny.
combine harvester and therefore it is important for farmers to t You must always make sure that the rate of heat extraction
do a ‘health check’ from ‘front to back’ using a check list when drying must not deform the grain otherwise it will lead
provided by experts/suppliers. to downgrading of produce.
t Always target ZERO breakdowns during the harvesting
period. t In artificial drying, the underlying concept is ‘forcing heat
through the grain’.
t A health check is critical - April/ May is the right time to do it.
Part of the checklist/inspection points: t The heated air then causes moisture to evaporate from the
Fan belts, bearings (for wheels and shafts), chains, (check all grain.
inspection points), intake auger (check all chains), winnowing t The rate of drying depends upon the temperature of drying
fan (which blows the chaff), grain pans/sieves, augers to grain air, velocity of the air through the grain and the uniformity of
tanks, straw shredders among other points must be checked its distribution in the drying silo/chamber.
and if need be rectified, adjusted or even replaced.
t Maximum temperature of drying air will depend on such
(Factors that affect combine efficiency and reaping output. Lookout!) factors as the type of crop to be dried, the use of the crop
t Grain moisture levels:-Dry crop and cobs are easier to pick, and the system of drying being employed.
de-husk and shell. A crop can be harvested below 20%
moisture content. Moisture levels above 20% can compro- Postharvest handling of grain
mise harvester efficiency. t Grain can be stored as ‘bulk’ or bagged.
t Cob placement and standability: A variety with good stand- t The storage facility must be suited to the method of delivery.
ability and average cob placement is easily and efficiently t Bulk stored grain is loaded into bulk trailers/bins using
harvestable. A lodging crop is difficult to harvest with a augers.
combine and can cause harvesting and yield losses. That is t Bagged grain usually requires conveyors or labour for
loading.
Farmers Guide
Bulk storage
trodents are allowed access to the grain
There are many methods that can be used for bulk storage.
Examples include: above ground silos, bulk containers and tthe untreated grain is stored for a long time
bags stored in the open or in buildings.
There are a number of pros for the bulk storage method. Guidelines for successful storage of grain:
These include:
t It is more economical than bag storage tOnly store dry grain and keep it dry. (Damp grain or damp air
t Less supervision is required will lead to rotten grain.) The ideal moisture content of grain
t Labour requirements and handling are reduced for good storage is less than 13%.
t It is more hygienic than bag storage However, bulk storage
has some cons in that it is costly in terms of capital outlay tGrain may be dried naturally in the field while on the plant,
requirements than bagging but losses from termites, deterioration, theft and weevils may
accrue if crops are left too long in the field. Thus, it is better
Conditions for bulk storage to harvest crops as soon as possible after maturity and dry
the grain in the sun where there is good airflow over the
t The maize grain must be dry; with less than 13.5% moisture grain.
content. tAlternatively, artificial drying may be used for large quantities
t The storage facility must be structurally sound and designed of grain. However, this requires some mechanical method to
for loading and offloading. blow ambient or heated air through the grain, and it is
t The storage facility must be weather tight and dry, thermally consequently an expensive and technical process.
insulated from the sun‘s radiation and also rodent free.
t The facility must be convenient for inspection, fumigation and tNever store grain that has already been attacked by insects,
cleaning unless the insects have been destroyed. Damaged grain is
t The facility must be provisioned to allow loading (of grain by susceptible to diseases or the insects may have laid eggs in
augers) and offloading of grain (from the field) the grain, in which case the stored grain may be re-infected.
Chemical treatment for long term storage tNever let rodents make the grain store their home. Prevention
is better than cure - keep rats out (Cats are an excellent way
t Maize in storage can be affected by many pests including: of controlling rats).
maize weevil (Sitophilus spp), Indian meal month (Sitotroga
cereale), Flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), Sawtoothed tProper grain storage depends greatly on the storehouse.
grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis), Lesser grain borer Build a good storehouse that keeps out thieves, rodents and
(Rhyzopertha dominica), Larger Grain Borer (Prostephanus moisture.
truncatus), Rusty grain beetle and other storage pests.
t These post-harvest pests can cause significant yield losses Before filling a grain store:
(eat into your pocket) if left uncontrolled hence the use of
stored grain chemical protectants is recommended. Several tThoroughly clean out and fill in any cracks with mud or
options are available on the market. mortar.
tBurn the debris that is swept out of the grain store.
NB: Always read chemical labels carefully, use safe practices tSpray surfaces with Malathion or Kontakill, or paint the
and adequate protective gear during application. Always surfaces with goat or cattle manure and ash (burnt sunflower
observe recommended pre-consumption intervals on the stalks or aloe leaves may be used).
grain protectant labels. tMix a grain protectant chemical (e.g., pirimiphos/permethrin)
with the grain during filling.
Grain storage tEucalyptus leaves can be mixed with maize grain to reduce
This is a process which involves three basic steps i.e. weevil infestation.
t Sanitation (Clean storage places, spray and fill up cracks) tAlternatively, mix ash with the grain (3 to 10 kg ash per 100
t Chemical treatment (Apply grain protectants to the grain kg grain). Burn a mixture of dry maize cobs, sunflower stalks
at recommended moisture levels) and cow dung in order to produce the ash. Powdered
t Inspection (Inspect stored grain regularly and check roofs (crushed) Syringa seeds also help to keep away insects.
and pests) tSmall quantities of beans may be stored in a container with
some sand. At frequent intervals (at least every two weeks)
Stored grain may deteriorate if: shake the container to mix the sand and the beans.
tAlways use the oldest grain first. Remember the maxim: first
t the temperature of the grain is too high in, first out.
t the moisture of the grain is too high
t the grain is diseased
t insects multiply in the stored grain

Farmers Guide
Crop Planning And Budgeting: The Profit Story

Matter of fact: Success favours better planners
6 PHASES IN PLANNING
Step 1:
Identifying and setting farm and household goals
Step 2:
Conducting a resource inventory (availability, quantities and quality)
Step 3:
Organising resources into whole farm plan
Step 4:
Estimating costs and returns (enterprise budgeting)
Step 5:
Organising enterprise budgets into whole farm budget
Step 6:
Implementation
Farmers Guide
Maize Gross Margin Guide/ Ha

High Management Farmer
Crop: Maize: Commercial
Season 2017/18 Plant: Oct '17 Tonnes per ha 10.00

Area: Ha's Sell: May < Jun '18 Price per Tonne USD$ 390.00
Unit
Rate per
Inputs Unit Input Detail Cost % Total Cost USD$ /ha
ha
USD$
Seed 25 kg SC Variety 3.000 6.58% 75.00

6.58% 75.00
Fertilizer and Lime 400 kg Basal 0.780 27.37% 312.00

450 kg AN 0.600 23.68% 270.00
500 kg Lime 0.091 3.99% 45.50
55.04% 627.50
Herbicides 3.000 l Atrazine 6.200 1.63% 18.60

1.500 l Metalachlor 14.000 1.84% 21.00
50.000 g Halosulfuron 0.800 3.51% 40.00
45.000 g Nicosulfuron 0.556 2.19% 25.00
9.17% 79.60
Insecticides 0.2 l Lambda 10.000 0.18% 2.00

0.18% 2.00
Labour 15 day Permanent 4.000 5.26% 60.00

5.26% 60.00
Chisel Ploughing, Discing,

Tractor Hires Wet Rate l Planting, Spraying 14.91% 170.00
14.91% 170.00
Harvesting (Combine) 30 l Hire Charge 3.000 7.89% 90.00

30 l Diesel Usage 1.200 3.16% 36.00
11.05% 126.00
Transport/30ton l Delivered 50Km Radius 210.000 0.00% -

0.00% -
Irrigation (Electricity +ZINWA) 0 mm Pumped from water body - 0.00% -

0.00% -
Total Variable Costs 100.00% 1,140.10

Gross Income at 10.00 t/ha 342.08% 3,900.00
Gross Margin 242.08% 2,759.90
Return per $TVC 3.4
Gross Income @ 7 t/ha 239% 2,730.00

Gross Margin 139% 1,589.90
Return per $TVC 2.3
Break even yield at $390/ton price is 3t/ha

This is only a guide and prices are based on industrial average. Increasing productivity
(yield/ unit area) will reduce the cost of producing a tonne of grain and optimise margins.
Farmers Guide
Soyabean Gross Margin Guide/ Ha

Soyabean Gross Margin Budget
High Management
Gross Margin Guide/Ha 2017/18 Tonnes per Ha 3.50

Hecterage 1 Plant: Mid Nov-Mid-Dec'17
Sell: May/Jun '18 Price per Tonne 550.00
Unit
Rate per % Total
Inputs Unit Input Detail USD$ USD$/ha
Ha Cost
Costs
Seed 100.000 kg SC Serenade, Safari, Status, Sequel1.650 21.05% 165.00

Seed Dressing 1.000 scht Innoculant 6.000 0.77% 6.00
0.250 kgs Thiram 80 WP 7.000 0.22% 1.75
22.04% 172.75
Fertilizer and soil conditioners 250 kgs Soya Blend 5:12:24/ 6:27:20 0.700 22.33% 175.00
150 kgs Gypsum 0.140 0.00% -
700 kgs Lime 0.100 0.00% -
22.33% 175.00
Herbicides 5.000 l Glyphosate 6.500 4.15% 32.50

1.000 l Metribuszine/Sencor 15.000 1.91% 15.00
1.500 l Metalachlor 15.000 2.87% 22.50
0.035 kg Classic 16.000 0.07% 0.56
2.000 l Fusilade 28.000 7.14% 56.00
16.15% 126.56
Insecticides 0.200 l Lambda 9.000 0.46% 3.60
Fungicides 0.500 l Triademnol 15.000 1.91% 15.00
Labour 20.000 day Permanent/Hired 3.000 7.65% 60.00

7.65% 60.00
Conventional 1 Tillage+1
planter+3 spraying+1 fertilser
Tractor Operations 50.000 l app 1.200 7.65% 60.00
Combine 14.000 l Hire Charge 7.500 13.40% 105.00

14.000 l Diesel Usage 1.200 2.14% 16.80
2.000 l Combine Trailer 4.547 1.16% 9.09
16.70% 130.89
Transport l Delivered 30Km Radius 5.10% 40.00
Irrigation - mm Irrigation 0.780 0.00% -
Total Variable Costs 100.00% 783.80

Gross Margin before overheads 35.80% 1,141.20
Return per $TVC 2.46
Total Variable Costs 783.80

Gross Income at 2.50 t/ha 1,375.00
Gross Margin before overheads 591.20

Gross Margin before overheads 1,416.20
Break even yield at $550/ton price is 1.5t/ha

(yield/ unit area) will reduce the cost of producing a tonne of grain and optimise margins.
Farmers Guide
Sugar bean Gross Margin Guide/ Ha

Sugar Bean Gross Margin Budget
High management farmer
Season 2017 Tonnes per Ha 2.50

Land(s): Plant: Price per Tonne 1,150
Area: Ha's ? Sell:
Unit
Rate per
Inputs Unit Input Detail % Area Cost % Total Cost USD$/ha
Ha
USD$
Seed 100 kg SC Sharp 100% 2.400 25.66% 240.00
Fertilizer and Lime 100 kg Compound "DD" 13:26:13 100% 0.840 8.98% 84.00
200 kg AN 100% 0.680 14.54% 136.00
- kg Lime 0% 0.100 0.00% -
23.52% 220.00
Herbicides 4.00 l Alachlor/Lasso (Pre) 100% 5.450 2.33% 21.80

3.00 l Basagram( LB) 0% 15.000 4.81% 45.00
0.60 l Fusilade (PoE) 15% 20.000 1.28% 12.00
8.43% 78.80
Insecticides 0.10 l Belt (Sytemic Pests) 200% 234.000 2.50% 23.40

1.00 l Diazinon (Bean stem maggot) 300% 12.000 1.28% 12.00
0.15 l Lambda (Cut Worm/Boll worm/LE) 100% 4.000 0.06% 0.60
1.50 l Thionex 35 EC (Boll Worm) 200% 9.000 1.44% 13.50
5.29% 49.50
Fungicides 1.00 l Copper Oxy 200% 8.000 0.86% 8.00

1.00 kg Dithane M45 200% 2.000 0.21% 2.00
0.50 l Folicur (Rust) 200% 14.500 0.78% 7.25
1.84% 17.25
Labour 20 day Permanent 100% 3.000 6.42% 60.00

6.42% 60.00
Tractor Operations 25.00 ltr Minimum Tillage 100% 4.547 12.15% 113.67
Transport - ltr Delivered 30Km Radius 100% 6.905 - -
Irrigation 200 mm 100% 0.780 16.68% 156.00
ZINWA Charges 1.5 0.0% 87.000 0.00%
Total Variable Costs 100.00% 935.22


Must be planted before the end Gross Income at 2.00 t/ha 2,300.00
of Gross Margin before overheads 1,364.78
Feb or Jul to avoid Frost!!! Return per $TVC & Inc Yield / Margin 2.46

Gross Margin before overheads 2,514.78
Return per $TVC & Inc Yield / Margin 3.69
Break even yield at $1150/ton price is 0.8 t/ha

(yield/ unit area) will reduce the cost of producing a tonne and optimise margins.
Farmers Guide
Wheat Gross Margin Guide/ Ha

Wheat Gross Margin Budget High Management Farmer WHEAT
Season 2018 Plant: May '18 Tonnes per Ha 7.00
Land(s): Sell: Sept/Oct '18 Wheat price/t 500
Area: Ha's ? Area: Ha's ?
Rate Est Unit
Inputs Unit Input Detail % Area % cost USD$/ha
per Ha cost USD
Tractor Operations 70 ltr Conventional tillage 3.660 100% 13.0% 256.20
Fertilizer and Lime 250 kg Blend 13:26:13 (P) 0.831 100% 10.5% 207.75
400 kg Blend 13:26:13 (P) 0.831 0% 0.0% -
# 350 kg Urea (W) 0.670 100% 11.9% 234.50
# 400 kg Urea (W) 0.670 0% 0.0% -
# 1000 kg Lime (LaF)/Gypsum 0.100 0% 5.1% 100.00
27.4% 542.25
Seed 125 kg Wheat (SC)smart/nduna 1.344 100% 8.5% 168.00

# 100 kg Barley (Delta) Hope 1.000 0% 0.0% -
8.5% 168.00
Irrigation(gross 600mm) 600 mm incl Electricity and ZINWA 0.781 100% 23.7% 468.60
23.7% 468.60
Herbicides 0.25 ltr Banvel (PrCh) 20.000 100% 0.3% 5.00
0.75 ltr MCPA (Po) 7.000 100% 0.3% 5.25
0.5% 10.25
Bird Shield 6.00 kg (9, 10 - Anthraquinone 50% WP) 8.25 100% 49.50
Insecticides 0.50 ltr Pesticide 10.000 100% 0.0% 5.00
0.50 ltr Pesticide 14.000 100% 0.0% 7.00
Fungicide sprays x 2 1.50 ltr Fungicide 15.000 100% 1.1% 22.50
4.2% 84.00
Combine 1 ltr Contract(AT) 130.000 100% 6.6% 130.00
Combine Fuel 14 ltr 1.130 100% 0.8% 15.82
Harvest Trailer 4 ltr 3.660 100% 0.7% 14.64
8.1% 160.46
Labour 15 day Permanent (inc welfare) 6.381 100% 4.8% 95.72
10 day Seasonal 5.815 100% 2.9% 58.15
5 hrs O/Time x 3/2 0.598 100% 0.2% 2.99
27 hrs O/Time x 2/1 0.798 100% 1.1% 21.55
9.0% 178.40
Drying 2.00 Tonne 2% removal.10%crop 30.000 10.0% 0.0% -
Transport 7 Tonne Delivered 50Km($0.156/kmton) 0.156 100% 2.8% 54.75
#REF! Tonne Delivered 120Km($0.1596kmton) 0.156 0%
Tonne Fert/Seed/Chem 50Km($0.156/ mton)
0.156 100% 0.2% 4.69
3.0% 59.44
Financing 0.00% 0.00 100% 0.0% -
Insurance 0.50% % 0.50% 100% 0.0% -
Levy (Marketing) 1.00% % 0.00% 100% 0.0% -
Gross Income 7.0t/Ha 177.0% 3,500.00
Gross Income 8.0t/Ha 202.3% 4,000.00
Break even yield at $500/ton price is 4 t/ha

(yield/ unit area) will reduce the cost of producing a tonne and optimise margins.
Farmers Guide
Maize production
Soils and climate Fertilisation

t Maize grows best on deep, well-drained, fertile soils, and tThe fertiliser requirement for maize depends on the soil
where total seasonal rainfall exceeds 500 mm. fertility and yield target. Infertile soils require more fertiliser, as
t Maize is reasonably tolerant to soil acidity, but if the soil is very does a higher yield target.
acid, liming will improve the soil and enhance maize yields. tThe two most important nutrients for maize are nitrogen and
t Maize is susceptible to both drought and water-logging. Thus, phosphorous, but maize also requires potassium and, on
poorly drained soils should be avoided, unless practices like some soils, Zinc in small quantities.
ridge tillage, drainage and early planting are employed. tThe first consideration for fertilising maize is manure, as it is
t Drought, during the four week period spanning flowering an excellent source of nutrients and has many other benefits
(silking and tasselling), can cause serious yield losses. There- for soils.
fore some form of water conservation is important (e.g., tInorganic fertilisers should be considered as a supplement to
pot-holing, mulching, tied-ridges), especially in the drier areas. manure. The following table gives a general recommendation
t Pollen viability can be affected by temperatures above 38 for fertilising maize with inorganic fertilisers:
degrees Celsius, while temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius
retard maize growth.
Facts: planting, preferably cupped into the planting hole, or applied

tThe yield potential largely depends on the variety, expected in a band below and to the side of the seed with the
rainfall and on the management applied to the crop. mechanical planter.
t The addition of manure and ash will greatly improve the t Top dressing should be applied when the maize is at three
response of maize to the applied fertiliser. Under commercial and half to 6 Weeks After Crop Emergence (WACE).
set ups addition of lime to acidic soils improve response to t Top dressing splits may be recommended in sandy to sandy
fertilisers loam soils. A maximum of 3 usually is ideal
tFertiliser rates may be reduced after a drought, where t Basal fertilisers which contain zinc are recommended for
manure and ash is applied or when the maize is following a application every two to three years on sandy soils.
legume or well-fertilised crop, like potatoes. t If boronated fertilisers are not normally applied as part of the
tBasal fertiliser must be applied before or at the time of rotation, then a boronated fertiliser should be applied every
three years.
Farmers Guide
The approximate application rates (to the nearest half-bag) of inorganic fertilisers to crops
can be determined from the following tables:
Note
1 ha =2.5 acres
1 bag of fertiliser = 50kg
To convert kg/ha to bags

per hectare, divide by 100
and multiply by 2.
To convert kg/ha to kg per

acre, divide by 2.5
(or multiply by 0.4).
Specific amounts of
fertilizer will vary according
to the specific density of
the fertilizer used.
Plant spacing
t The width of rows and the spacing of plants in the row
determine the plant population. The closer the spacing, the
more plants there will be per unit area.
t The recommended number of maize plants per hectare
varies from 36,000 to 60,000, depending on the environ-
mental potential and hybrid.
t High plant populations are appropriate for early-planted
crops under high rainfall or irrigated conditions where
management is of a good standard.
t Lower plant populations should be used under dryland
conditions, especially in drought prone areas, where a
population of about 37,000 to 40, 000 plants per hectare is
recommended.
t Some varieties may be susceptible to lodging under high
plant populations.
t Generally, the taller the variety, the lower the plant
population.
t Short maize varieties may be grown at higher plant popula-
tions.
t Whatever the case, the minimum plant population for maize
is 36,000 plants per ha.
Farmers Guide
The plant populations for the various Seed Co hybrids related to the expected yield are presented in the
Table below:
tA seed rate of about 25 kg/ha is required, but this depends on the seed size. 10 kg is enough to plant 1 acre and 5 kg for half an
Acre.
tSmall seed will go further, and give equal germination and yield performance as large seed.
tHowever, small seed should not be planted too deep (i.e., not deeper than 5 cm). For SC 727, a 50, 000 kernel (1 hectare pack)
is enough to plant 1 Ha, 20, 000 kernel for 1 Acre.
Key: Recommended in low rainfall areas e.g. regions 4 & 5 Recommended in high rainfall areas e.g. regions 1 to 3 or irrigated areas
NB: To obtain the population per hectare, divide 10,000 by the row spacing (m) and then divide the answer by the spacing
between the plant stations in metres. Multiply the answer by the number of plants per station.
Farmers Guide
25000
32000
38000
44000
51000
57000
63000
69000
Note: The required planting population was calculated assuming 95% germination and 5% field loss.
Population densities of 50 000 to 60 000 plants per Ha on

all Seed Co varieties in Zimbabwe are recommended
New trends in population density management - commercial

t Some farmers are pushing population densities higher than the recommended in search for ‘compensatory yield gains’.
t The farmers are targeting population densities such as 65 000, 70 000, 80 000 up to 100 000 plants per hectar.
t The trend or condition is that the farmers are following up with a growth regulator spray such as CeCeCe or ethrel before day 35
after emergence. However, this comes at a cost in terms extra seed cost, extra compensatory fertilization, spraying cost, and risk of
response failure especially when spraying times coincides with extended wet periods or dry spells.
t There is need for further research especially to ascertain whether the yield gains are significant (or if they do exist in the first place);
the profitability of this concept; and the breeding for short statured but high yielding varieties to accommodate high densities.
t However, the optimum population densities of 50 000 to 60 000 plants per Ha on all Seed Co varieties are recommended in
Zimbabwe in high potential and irrigated areas.
Farmers Guide
Planting time t efficiency and evenness of soil preparation

t The later maize is planted, the lower the yield, as shown in t quality of seed used
the graph below. t the need for a good seed-soil contact
t Highest yields are obtained with October plantings, but these t efficiency of planting operation i.e. correct adjustment of
can usually only be sustained with irrigation (i.e. irrigation to planting machinery is encouraged
establish crop). t efficiency of early weed and pest control
t However, planting in October may be feasible on vleis or t soil temperatures (optimum being 25 to 30 degrees celcius)
when there is good early rain (over 50mm). t planting depth and spacing are also important considerations
t November planting with the onset of the first rains is the
safest under dryland conditions. Varietal choice
t In order to exploit these early rains, fields need to be ready t The choice of variety depends on the yield potential; season
before the rains (i.e. in October) and seed and fertiliser must length; anticipated disease problems; and use.
be on hand, so that as soon as the first rains fall, fields may t The Seed Co Product Manual gives descriptions and
be planted. recommendations of all the Seed Co hybrids on the market.
t Planting in December will produce low yields, and is very Study the manual and determine which hybrid will be best for
risky, because the crop may suffer from drought stress at the each situation.
end of the season; while pests (e.g. stalk borer) and diseases
(maize streak virus and HT) are more prevalent on late Considerations when choosing maize hybrid varieties
planted crops. amount and distribution of rainfall
t Under rainfed situations, after second week of November a length of the growing season
farmer is encouraged to dry plant anyway at a depth of about altitude and air temperature
5 cm to ensure the seed is not reached by light showers. soil fertility and fertiliser application
planting date
plant density and standability
use (commercial grain, green mealie and silage)
occurrence of diseases
management
Pointer!
Always plant new certified Seed Co seed each year for
maximum yields.
t Early maturing hybrids take between 120 and 140 days from
planting to maturity, whereas medium to late maturing
varieties take between 141 and 155 days to mature.
t However, the time to maturity for any variety depends on air
t On average, for every day that planting is delayed (after first temperature: The cooler the temperatures the longer the
effective rains), the yield loss is one bag (50 kg) per ha. This is plants will take to mature.
a significant loss and something to be remembered by those t Seed Co has a very simple way of differentiating its hybrids
who wish to be productive farmers. using animal symbols as shown in the accompanying table.
t Yield decline in later plantings is due to reduced cob size;
reduced number of kernels per cob; and lower seed mass.
t Early planting with the right Seed Co maize hybrid, together
with fertiliser and manure and the control of early weeds, will
make a large difference to the productivity of a farmer’s
fields. Ultra Early Very Early Early Medium Late
t Heat unit accumulation is closely correlated with grain yield. It
should be noted that 40-50% of the heat units are experi- t The range of hybrids available from Seed Co is continuously
enced in October, November and December. changing as we develop new hybrids with improved perfor-
mance and disease tolerance.
Advantages of early plantings t Therefore, it is important to keep oneself informed by
t The length of growing season is extended attending field days and following communications dissemi-
t Pollination period may occur early before mid season dry nated through various media platforms such as radio,
spells television and press.
t Early planting will allow greater dry matter accumulation and t It is advisable to grow more than one maize hybrid on a farm.
yield
t The plants will have a more vigorous rooting system if planted t Approximately half the fields should be planted to a familiar
before the main rains variety that is most suited to one’s environment; a quarter to
an earlier maturing hybrid and another quarter to a later
Achieving a good stand (important tips) maturing hybrid.
The following are factors that influence the devlopment of a t Start planting with the later maturing hybrid and end with the
good and even stand: earlier maturing hybrid.
t the existing soil structure eg crusting/capping soils may affect t Also consideration should be given to trying out a small area
emergence of one or two new hybrids to compare their performance with
familiar hybrids.
Farmers Guide
t Altitude has an effect on the number of days from planting to germination, but such seed must be planted into wet soil the
flowering and maturity because the rate of development of day after soaking. However, with this practice farmers should
maize is affected by air temperature. note that they will be washing away the fungicides and
t The warmer the weather, the faster the crop development. pesticides which are normally used to treat certified seed.
t Higher temperatures at lower altitudes therefore have the These prevent early disease and pest infestations.
effect of accelerating the development rate.
t Conversely, the lower air temperatures at higher altitudes Mid-season management
retard development and extend the time taken to reach Weed control, especially in the first 10 weeks after crop
flowering and maturity. emergence is essential.
t The graph below gives a rough guide as to the time from t Hoeing is effective, and is easiest when weeds are small and
planting to maturity for the four groups of Seed Co maize on small portions.
hybrids: t However, if the fields are big enough and farmer’s manage-
ment is good, herbicides are recommended.
t There is a wide selection of pre-emergence herbicides for
maize, but a common combination is Alachlor/Metalachlor
and Atrazine.
t When applying herbicides, read and follow the label instruc-
tions and take the necessary safety precautions.
t Pre-emergence should always be sprayed in most soils to
activate and incorporate the herbicides to create a herbicide
layer which suppreses weed seed germination.
t Rain-harvesting techniques should be employed as early as

possible, e.g., mulching, pot-holing, tied-ridging or wet
ripping. This is particularly beneficial in the dry areas where
rainfall is unreliable.
N.B. Wet ripping should always be carried out before the
crop reaches 3 weeks after emergence to avert root damage
t Top dress with Ammonium Nitrate/Urea when the maize is 4

700 series e.g. SC 727 and SC 719 to 6 weeks old.
600 Series e.g. SC 649, SC 637, SC 627, SC 633 t Maize on sandy soils may require a split top-dressing, with
the first half applied at 4 weeks and the second at 7 weeks
500 series e.g. SC 513, SC 533, SC 529 after emergence.
400 series e.g. SC 403, SC 419 t Use appropriate sized fertiliser cups to place the fertiliser near
each plant, or dribble-band the fertiliser along the row with a
Planting suitably calibrated pipe attached to a bag (chola).
A maize yield decline as planting is delayed after the first t Fertiliser applicators are recommended to band top dressing
week of November. Therefore plant as early as possible. For fertilizer on the inter-rows. These can be calibrated and
hand planting, this may be achieved if the farmer is well adjusted depending on the intended rates.
prepared. t In many cases on large scale maize production a vicon is
used to broadcast top dressing fertilisers.
The following guidelines help plan for an early planting:
t Obtain fertiliser and seed in September or earlier. t Check for stalk borer damage at 4 to 6 weeks after planting.
t Prepare planting holes early (i.e., in August or September) t The characteristic evidence of early infection of stalk borer is
and cup-in the compound fertiliser so that all fields are ready the appearance of numerous small holes in the new leaves in
for planting by the end of October. the funnel.
t It is unwise to plant in October, unless substantial rain has t If necessary apply insecticide granules or sprays into the
been received (i.e., more than 50 mm within 3 days and the funnels of the maize plants to control stalkborers.
soil is wet down to 45 cm on clays and 60 cm on sands) or t It is important to control the first generation of stalkborers,
unless you have irrigation. otherwise a second generation may develop in large numbers
t In November, after each rainfall event, check the soil moisture which may be difficult to control.
status by digging in the field. Sow seed if the soil is wet down
to 30 cm on clay soils or 50 cm on sandy soils. If more than t Start to scout for Fall Army Worm damage at 2 to 3 weeks
25 mm of rain has fallen, plant as much as you can in two after planting and make spraying decisions early before
days and then stop until further rain is received. damage reaches economic levels.
t If no planting rains have fallen by the second week of t Leaves show typical bullet-shot holes and leaves dry horse
November, then dry plant. Ensure the seed is placed into dry manure-like droppings called frass on the leaves particularly
soil at a depth of 5-6cm. the central whorl. Leaves show a typical “window pane”
t In all planting operations ensure the seed is well covered with damage.
loose soil and pressed, so as to achieve good seed-soil t The damage includes holes on the stem causing significant
contact. Avoid covering the seed with clods or rocks. stalk lodge, the cob and the tassel. See appendices for more
t Soaking seeds in water for 12 hours (overnight) hastens details on Fall Army Worm pest identification and control.
Farmers Guide
Insect pests and pesticide remedies
etc
Herbicides
Glyphosate
etc
etc
Farmers Guide
t Control late weeds with a hoe or post emergence herbicides

from flowering onwards, as this reduces weed pressure,
weed seed reservoirs, and also makes the harvesting
operation easier.
tHarvest the crop as early as possible to reduce in-field losses

and weevil infections. If whole cobs are harvested and placed
in an outside grain crib for storage until shelling, protect this
from rain.
tShell the cobs as soon as possible to minimise infection by
weevils.
t Store the grain when it is dry and protect it from insects and
rodents.
t The best place for grain storage is a cool dry room that
prohibits the entry of moisture and rodents. The application
of a grain protectant chemical will prevent infection by weevils
and other storage pests.
Hard facts about weeds in maize

t The annual yield loss in maize as a result of weed problems
can reach 50% or more
t The crop must have a good head start ahead of weeds
t The crop must be weed free for the first 10 weeks of the crop
cycle after crop emergence
t This is the most critical time when the crop requires at least
50% of the nutrients and hence must be weed free
t If a farmer fails to control weeds in maize in the first 5 weeks
of the crop cycle, then 50% of the yields could be lost.
t A good and important example, Shamva grass can reduce
maize yields by 57-85% if not controlled throughout the
season.
t Never allow weeds to seed, it will enhance the weed seed
bank and result in future weed control costs increases and
difficulties.
t One year of seeding makes seven years of weeding
t There are more than 20 herbicides registered in Zimbabwe
which can be sprayed on maize crop. The choice is
very wide!
Yield forecasting in maize

Steps:
t Walk the land to ensure that the stand is even, standing (not
lodging) and there are not many gaps.
t Reap the cobs from a measured 20 sq. metres. If the rows
are at 90cm, then reap 22m row length; and if the rows are
75cm, then measure 26.6m row length.
t Shell the cobs, weigh the grain and determine the moisture
content using a moisture meter
t Do this for three or four separate samples at widely separate
points and determine the average
t Use the formula below to calculate yield average estimate
corrected to 1 ha and to 12.5% Moisture Content
t Mass Grain (Kg) x (100-moisture content)/ (100-12.5) x10
000/20
NB: The formula automatically correct the final yield to 12.5%
moisture content
The crop must be weed free for the first 10 weeks of
the crop cycle after crop emergence.
T
a
fr
Farmers Guide
NATIONAL WINNER
Tinashe Ziki
"We planted 1100ha and. we are
happy with the performance of
SC 719 this year"
Yield 21.92 T/Ha
FIRST RUNNER UP
Kudakwashe Kudenga
"We achieved 21.86 Ton/Ha
with Seed Co SC 727
and I'm very happy.
Good land preparation
and use of good
quality seed goes a long way"
SECOND RUNNER UP
Eskbank Farm-E. Nascmento
SC 608 is our yellow variety here
and has extremely performed
well for us every year"
Yield 15.7 T/Ha
Register to enter the Seed Co Annual 11 Ton Plus contest

-Have
This is the most at least
critical time10ha
whenofthe
maize
crop requires
at least 50% of-The
the adjudication
nutrients andteam comprising
hence must be of Agritex and farmer unions in Zimbabwe randomly select the best
weed
ree. 3 x 1 hectare blocks, combine harvest and determine the yield at 12.5% moisture content.
Farmers Guide
The African Seed Company The African Seed Company
RANKING FARMER NAME PROVINCE YIELD @ 12.5% VARIETY

MOISTURE-T/HA
1 Tinashe Ziki Mash West 21.92 SC 719

2 Kuda Kudenga Mash East 21.86 SC 727
3 Eskbank Farm-E. Nascmento Mash Central 15.66 SC 608
4 ARDA/Trek-Mbuya Nehanda Estate Mash West 15.54 SC 637
5 Mike Mutasa Mash West 15.45 SC 719
6 Oswell Chakwanda Mash West 15.32 SC 727
7 Peter Dilmetris Mash West 15.26 SC 727
8 Hashmon Matemera Mash West 15.00 SC 719
9 Irmaos-Angus Guthrie Mash Central 14.90 SC 727
10 Mwenewazvo Estates Mash Central 14.70 SC 727
11 Leticia Chako Tapfumaneyi Mash East 14.53 SC 727
12 Richard Chinyani and Lynfield Mash West 14.45 SC 727
13 Godfrey and Helen Pfachi Mash Central 14.38 SC 727
14 Len Smit Mash Central 14.00 SC 727
15 Eng. R. J Chitsiko Mash West 13.90 SC 727
16 Christopher Nyangoni Mash Central 12.51 SC 727
17 Merry Ellen-Halsteads Brothers Mat North 12.42 SC 727
18 Berry Stewart Mash West 12.40 SC 727
19 Bulelani Usher Cakana Mash West 12.35 SC 727
20 Moddy Mahoho Mash Central 12.08 SC 727
21 Conorpia Farm Mash Central 12.01 SC 727
22 Glenara Esatates Mash Central 11.99 SC 727
23 Kunatsa Estates Mash Central 11.86 SC 727
24 Joseph Nyakudya Mash East 11.85 SC 727
25 Justin and Idah Mupamhanga Mash Central 11.70 SC 727
26 Moffat Sefu Mash West 11.50 SC 727
27 ART Farm Commercial Farm Harare 11.32 SC 727
28 Petronella Midzi Mash East 11.25 SC 727
29 ARDA/Trek-Antelope Mat South 11.20 SC 529
30 Billabong Farm Mash Central 11.12 SC 727
31 Inamo Agri-Gary Parharm Mash Central 11.03 SC 727
32 Grace Hama Mash Central 11.00 SC 727
33 Noah Mangondo Mash East 11.00 SC 727
Competition Judge By:
30
Farmers Guide
MACIA SC SILA SC SMILE

Plant height (cm) 150 150 80-100
Days to maturity:
Lowveld (below 800 m) 110 110 105
Middleveld (800 – 1,200 m) 120 120 113
Highveld (over 1,200m) 130 130 120
Leaf Blight Score 2.4 2.2 4.1
Sooty Stripe Score 4.6 4.5 1.4
Mass/1,000 seed (g) 20 20 20
Grain Colour White White Brown
Principle use Meal Meal Brew
Sorghum Production
This falls under small grain cereals which are drought Production practices
tolerant and should be included in rotations on small-scale Nutrients required per tonne of grain
farms. Not only may the grain be used for human food, but
they are also useful for livestock feeding and silage. A break Total uptake Nutrients removed
of two or three years between sorghum crops is recom-
mended because sorghum is susceptible to nematodes. Nutrient (Kg) In grain (Kg)
Rotate with broadleaf crops, like soyabean or groundnuts.
Nitrogen (N) 30 18.0
Phosphate (P2 O5) 10 7.2

Soils and climate
These crops grow best in warm areas. They are grown on a Potash (K2O) 30 5.4
wide range of soils. Sorghum is sensitive to nematodes,
especially on sandy soils, and therefore sorghum must not be
grown continuously on its own or in close rotation with maize. Planting
t It is not advisable to continuously plant a sorghum crop due to
Fertilisation pest build-up.
t Sorghum does not do well on sandy soils. t Spacing: 75 x 5 cm, 5 – 7 kg seed/ha for small seed and up
t Generally, little fertiliser is required or applied to small grain to 10 kg for large seed. Final stand for SC Smile,
crops. SC Sila and Macia should be 200 000 and 250 000 plants/ha,
t However, they respond to manure applications, and where respectively.
rainfall is favourable, sorghum, in particular, responds well to a tPlanting Time: From end of November through to end of
low application of basal fertilizer (100 to 300 kg of 7.14.7 per December in Zimbabwe.
ha) followed with a top dressing of 100 to 200 kg per ha of 28 - t Keep fields weed free by making use of herbicides or hoe
34% N fertilizer. weeding
t Sorghum also favours a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8 on a Calcium tScout for aphids and bollworm during head emergence and
Chloride Scale. grain filling periods.
tHarvest early to avoid bird damage and should engage bird
Varietal choice scares when growing susceptible varieties.
Soils and climate tIt is not advisable to continuously plant a sorghum crop due to
The two preferred varieties in Zimbabwe are: pest build-up.
SC SILA tSpacing: 75 X 5 cm, 5 – 7 kg seed/ha for small seed and up
t Used for human consumption and livestock feed. to 10 kg for large seed. Final stand for SC Smile
t Medium maturing variety with a good yield potential of up to 6 SC Sila and Macia should be 200 000 and 250 000 plants/ha,
T/Ha. respectively.
t Short stature and does not lodge easily. t Planting Time: From end of November through to end of
t Tolerant to most sorghum diseases. December in Zimbabwe.
* Can be used for clear and opaque beer brewing tKeep fields weed free by making use of herbicides or hoe
weeding
SC SMILE tScout for aphids and bollworm during head emergence and
t Brown seeded OPV with good brewing qualities. grain filling periods.
t Early maturing variety. tHarvest early to avoid bird damage and should engage bird
t Stiff straw that averts lodging. scares when growing susceptible varieties.
t High yield potential of up to 6 T/Ha under good tSmall grain crops may be planted after maize in early Decem-
management. ber. They can be sown in 50 to 100 cm rows. A seedingrate
* Very good for heat and drought stress of 5 to 15 kg is recommended depending on variety and use.
31
Farmers Guide
t Basal fertilizer is broadcast and incorporated by disking before Thinning

planting can commence. tThinning should be done to establish an in-row spacing of
t The common practice of planting is broadcasting seed on a 15-20 cm before tilling begins and normally 4 weeks after
well ploughed land (with fine tilth) and covering lightly using a emergence.
light harrow, roller, bush drag by cattle over the lands and tAt this stage it is also recommended to fill in for the seeds that
covered to a depth of 2-3 cm. did not germinate or seedlings that were affected by diseases.
tMechanical planting using seed drill can also be done but this
will require high seed rates and more labour for thinning.
Pests t Downey mildew: Infested seedling leaves are chlorotic,

t Aphids: These usually appear during head emergence and stunted and pre-mature death may result. Use of Seed Co
flowering. If necessary, spray with Dimethoate (Rogor) or resistant varieties is the smartest control method
Mercaptothion (Malathion).
t Smut: Ear head becomes swollen and turn grey. Use of Seed
t Heliothis bollworm: These caterpillars may attack the heads Co resistant varieties is the smartest control method
after flowering. Control with Thiodan before 1st February or
with synthetic pyrethroids from February onwards. t Ergot is an important fungal disease. It infects the flowers.
Symptoms: sticky fluid or honey dew from the flowers.
t Stalk borer: This is the same pest as in maize. If necessary, Control: resistant varieties, chemical fungicides.
use trichlorfon (Dipterex) or Endosulfan (Thiodan) granules
applied in the funnels at 3 to 6 weeks after planting. Alterna- Other management tips:
tively, spray into the funnels with Carbaryl. Extensive damage t Sorghum is very sensitive to weed competition especially
by stalk borers may result in the introduction of Fusarium stalk during the early stages of growth and establishment. Normally
rot, stem lodging and considerable loss of grain yield. 2-3 hoe-weeding regimes are done even though the use of
pre-emergence herbicides like Atrazine can be recommended
t Shoot fly: Feeding larvae causes drying up of central leaf and in soils with greater than 25% clay content. Control weeds
dead heart symptoms on 1-4 week old seedlings. Timely throughout, but especially in the early stages of crop growth.
planting, Thionex and Carbaryl are the chemical control t Employ rain harvesting techniques (pot-holing or tied-ridging).
remedies.
t Harvest early to minimise bird damage.
t Spider mites: Suck sap from the leaves to cause stunting t If red sorghum destined for brewing is to be artificially dried,
especially rife during hot dry spells. Acaricides will be a good low air temperatures (35 to 38 degrees Celsius) must be used
chemical control measure. in order to preserve grain quality and germination ability.
t Birds: These become a problem as the crop approaches Harvesting/drying /storage

maturity. Bird scaring is the only effective way of minimising Harvesting is normally done when plants reach physiological
bird damage, but community co-operation in planting dates maturity. Leaves will be turning yellowish and beginning to dry
may also help to spread the risk. Red/Brown sorghum is bird up naturally. Combine harvesting can be done with suitable
resistant. heads.
Diseases Marketing
t Leaf Blight: This is common in southern Africa, and is favoured Grain sorghum is marketed through the Grain Marketing
by moderate air temperatures and wet conditions or heavy Board that pre-sets the prices and also other private buyers
dews. Dry weather retards the disease. Rotation with such as milling companies, beer malting companies, etc.
non-susceptible crops (non-grasses) aids in destruction of Private companies like Delta may buy brewing sorghum
infected residue thereby reducing the level of primary infection. mostly from those farmers under their growers’ contracts.
Farmers Guide
t t"mOFUJMUIXJMMFOTVSFBHPPETFFETPJMDPOUBDUBOEBJEHPPE
and even crop establishment. An evenly prepared soil will
enhance harvestability when using combine harvesters
Soyabean production
Soils and climate

t Soyabean is a legume plant suited to soils with relatively high Fertilisation
clay content, as it does not do very well on weak sands. The t Since soyabean is sensitive to soil acidity, check the soil pH
crop is also sensitive to soil acidity hence does well on pH (acidity or basicity) in winter.
ranges of 5.5 to 6.5. t If necessary, apply lime at the recommended rate to bring the
soil to a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 (CaCl2 scale).
t Soyabean requires reliable rainfall, particularly from flowering
to pod maturity. The crop requires about 550-650 mm of t Soyabean grows well on residual fertiliser.
water to physiological maturity. t However, a general recommendation is to apply a pre-plant
application of 200 to 300 kg per ha of either a basal fertiliser
t It is a good crop to grow in rotation with maize, cotton and (e.g. compound L; 5.17.10 with 8.5S and 0.25B), or Single
wheat. The yields of these other crops are usually enhanced Super Phosphate before planting, particularly where fertility is
when following soyabean, as shown in the Table below. low. Soyabean responds well to manure application.
t Soyabean does not need much nitrogen in the basal fertiliser,
t The ideal temperature range for growth ranges from 18 to 30 but only requires a starter up Nitrogen for the first 6 weeks
degrees Celcius. The crop is sensitive to day length (photo- after planting.
periodism) and as such requires early planting around mid t The crop does not require nitrogen fertiliser hence no need for
November in the highvelds. Shorter day length as experienced top dressing, since it is able to obtain its nitrogen require-
in February and March affect the frame size and reduces the ments from the nitrogen fixation process i.e. if the seed is
number of nodes and pods per plant especially if shorter days properly dressed with Rhizobia pre-planting.
coincide with vegetable growth, so planting should be done t For Nitrogen fixation to take place sufficient amounts of
as early as mid - November. Rhizobia is required and this is normally supplemented
through seed dressing.
t Soyabean is a nutritious addition to human and animal feed. It t Direct contact between seed and basal fertiliser must be
is also used in making cooking oil, margarine, soya chunks avoided and it is therefore recommended to cover the basal
etc. It is the richest crop in terms of crude protein (ranges fertiliser with a film of soil (2cm) before planting the soyabean
between 35-45 %) and contains 20 % oil. crop.
Basal fertiliser application

t Make out furrows 5-7cm deep.
t Band the fertilser into the furrow and cover with a film of soil
(2cm) to avoid direct contact of fertiliser with seed as the
fertiliser can ‘burn’ the seed.
Table 4:Average nutrient requirements of soyabean kg/ha

Nutrient status of soil
Land preparation
Nutrient Good Medium Poor
t Land should be ploughed after harvesting the previous crop to
N Nil 20 - 30 30 - 40
conserve moisture.
P2 05 Nil 20 - 30 40 - 60
t A seedbed with fine tilth should always be achieved as
K2 0 Nil 20 - 30 40 - 60
soyabean endows epigeal germination characteristic.
(see diagram).
Farmers Guide
t On soils of poor to medium soil fertility, a small amount of tIndeterminate cultivars, on the other hand, grow vegetative for
fertiliser is recommended to sustain the crop for the first six about six weeks, then begin flowering when the main stem
weeks before effective nodulation occurs. has about 10 leaves, but at the same time as flowering, the
t The recommended fertiliser application is 150-200 kg of stem continues to grow for another three weeks or so,
Compound L (Cottonfert) or Soya Blend applied as basal producing another five to seven leaves.
fertiliser. tThus, the vegetative and reproductive growth periods
t It is therefore essential to apply Rhizobium inoculant to the overlap in indeterminate cultivars but not in determinate
seed at planting. This inoculant is obtainable from Seed Co. cultivars.
tIndeterminate cultivars also tend to grow taller than determi-
Inoculation process nate cultivars.
For soyabean to be able to form nodules and fix nitrogen the
seeds must be inoculated with Rhizobia as most soils in tFor these reasons, determinate cultivars are better suited to
Zimbabwe are deficient of this bacteria. warm, fast growing environments like the Lowveld, where
irrigation is available, whilst on the Middleveld and Highveld,
Rhizobium is a living culture and must be handled properly for both types are suitable.
it to work effectively. In particular, do not leave the inoculant in tUnder drought conditions, indeterminates may have some
a sunny, hot place, but rather store it in a cool, dark place. eg advantage over determinates. In the Highveld, both types are
a fridge suitable. Apart from the growth habit of the cultivars, farmers
t spread 100kg of seed on a clean plastic sheet or a large must choose cultivars which have high yield potential; do not
container lodge; have high clearance of pods from the ground; good
t mix 100g of inoculant and 1 litre of water in a clean bucket resistance to disease; and take a long time from maturity to
t add 50g of sugar into the soultion. The sugar act as an pod shattering.
adhesive between the seed and the inoculant
t stir the solution for 30 seconds Choosing the right soyabean variety
t sprinkle the inoculant mix onto the seed When choosing a variety to grow in your particular farming
t as you sprinkle the inoculant onto the seed, turn the seed area the following points are very important:
gently to ensure that all seeds are coated with the inoculant. tThe variety must fit in a growing season of 4 to 5 months.
The inoculated seed should look shiny wet. tThe variety should give the highest yield as well as good
t plant immediately after inoculation and protect the inoculated stability across seasons and for that particular area.
seed from direct sunlight by covering with a paper or mixing in tThe variety must be resistant to lodging especially where
a shed. combine harvesters are used
t sow seeds in cool moist soils and cover immediately tThe variety should have a longer period between physiological
afterwards to cover rhizobia from direct sunlight. maturity (time when no more dry matter is added to seed) and
pod shattering.
Seed dressing tHigh pod clearance to reduce losses when harvesting with a
t Fungicide seed dressing may help to ensure good crop combine harvester.
emergence and establishment. tRapid stem dehydration -stems must dry concurrently with the
t Treated seed protects the seed against diseases such as pods.
damping off and sore shin. Captan, Thirum and Vitavax are tResistance to diseases, especially Red Leaf Blotch
the seed dressing options. (Pyrenochaeta glycines); Frogeye (Cercospora sojina);
Soyabean
Checking for nodulation Rust ( Phakospora pachyrhizi).
t Active nodules are bright pink inside when cut through with a
clean knife whereas inactive young nodules are white. Some of the farmers’ choice varieties available from Seed Co
t It is always important to do this nodulation test 6 weeks after include:
emergence as this can inform whether to come in with a light Indeterminate
top dress if nodulation did not take place as expected. SC Serenade
t Extended wet conditions in the soil create an anaerobic SC Safari
environment which reduces nodulation. SC Squire
t In the case where nodulation is weak a light top dressing of SC Saga
about 75kg/Ha may be recommended and should be applied SC Spike
before flowering.
Determinate
Varietal choice SC Status
There are two basic types of soyabean cultivars: determinate SC Sequel
and indeterminate. This refers to the way the plant grows. SC Sentinel (New)
Determinate cultivars grow vegetative for about six weeks and SC Santa
then begin flowering, having put on 10 to 12 leaves. Once
flowering begins, no further new leaves are produced on the tNewer varieties are continuously being produced, and
main stem. therefore it is important to keep up to date with these, as the
new ones always have an advantage over the old varieties in
yield and agronomic traits such as disease resistance.
Farmers Guide
Characteristics of Seed Co soyabean varieties

Varieties Serenade Safari Sequel SC Spike Status Squire
Growth habit Indeterminate Indeterminate Determinate indeterminate Determinate Indeterminate
Recommended areas of productionHighveld & Highveld & All areas of All areas of Highveld &
Middleveld in Middleveld in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Middleveld in
Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Zimbabwe
Plant heights in centimetres 102 100 83 105 88 105.0
Pod clearance in centimetres 17 16 16 20 16 18
Lowveld N/A N\A 120 126 119 N\A
Middleveld 122 120 125 130 124 122
Highveld 128 125 128 140 127 128
Number of days to pod shattering 26 28 25 27 26 25
Seed Hilum colour Black Yellow Black Brown Brown Yellow
Mass of 1000 seeds (g) 230 210 210 190 190 230
Bacterial blight 2.6 2.0 2.5 1.2 2.1 2.5
Wildfire 1.0 1.0 1.6 1.5 1.5 2.1
Downy mildew 1.2 2.0 2.0 1.3 1.8 1.0
Red leaf blotch 2.1 1.6 2.5 1.8 2.5 2.1
Frogeye leafspot 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.2
Soyabean rust (see Note 1 below) 3.0 4.0 3.0 4.0 1 1.7 3.0 4.0 1.0 1.5 1 1.5
Notes: 1 st Digit 1= Bottom third of leaf canopy on the plants 2 nd Digit 1= No lesions
2= Middle third of leaf canopy on the plants 2= Light lesion density
3= Top third of leaf canopy on the plants 3= Moderate lesion density
4= Heavy lesion density
Planting and crop management as this makes it easier for the seedling to emerge. It is essential
t The seed rate is about 90-100 kg per ha. not to plant too deep. Seed should be planted 25-50 mm
t The desirable plant population is around 350 000 plants per deep, depending on soil texture. If soil crusting occurs before
ha, but soyabean is capable of adapting to a wide range of emergence, wetting the soil with irrigation or breaking the crust
plant populations. The minimum plant population is 200 000 with a ‘millipede implement’ will improve emergence.
plants per ha, while 550 000 plants per ha is the maximum. t The time to plant soyabean is after planting maize, but this
t The higher the plant population, the greater is the danger of should preferably be before mid-December.
lodging, but the higher is the pod clearance. t Soyabean is sensitive to day length (photoperiodism), such
t Shorter stature varieties like Status and Sequel should be that when planted late there is a significant reduction in the
planted at a higher population than taller varieties number of nodes and number of pods hence yields will be
affected.
t Row spacing may be from 25 to 90 cm. t A fungicide seed dressing of, for example, Thiram 80 WP (85
t The closer the row spacing, the higher the yield, but the yield g/50 kg seed) or Flusilazole (Captan 50 WP at 125 g/50 kg
advantage is not great (about 5 to10 %). seed) will help ensure good emergence.
t The wider the row, the closer the seeds placed in the row, and t Soyabean is particularly sensitive to weed competition during
this sometimes helps, especially for emergence on soils that the first six weeks of the season. Control weeds adequately
have a tendency to cap (seal on the surface). during this period.
t Do not plant seed deeper than 5 cm. Be careful not to plant
soyabean in such a way that when covered with soil it is in a
furrow; rather the soil should form a slight mound over the row,
Soyabean planting guide

Farmers Guide
Mid-season crop management

t Soyabean is very susceptible to drought during the flowering
and pod-filling stage.
The pod filling stage occurs in the last third of the crop’s life,
and the beginning of this stage is identified when the pods on
the upper nodes of the main stem are 2 cm long and the small
seeds are visible in the pods.
t If supplementary irrigation is available, this is the time to apply
water, as it can produce large yield increases.
Supplementary irrigation (if available) should target these

critical stages (i.e. if they coincide with excessive dry spells):
For a crop taking about 125 days from planting to physiologi-

cal maturity these critical periods will be as follows:-
-Germination - day 1 to day 6
-Flowering - day 55 to day 75
-Pod fill - day 95 to day 125
NB. Depending on variety, if the flowering period coincides

with excessive moisture stress, only 25% of the flowers will set
into pods while the rest will abort.
Insect Pests and control options
etc
etc
Farmers Guide
Diseases and control
Soybean rust: Damping off:

t Infected leaves have small dark brown to reddish brown tThis is a seed-borne disease.
lesions. tThe disease causes rotting of seeds before emergence from
t Small raised bumps may occur on the lower leaf surface. the soil or death of seedlings after emergence.
t Premature defoliation may result and can cause high yield tWhen seedlings emerge from the soil, they often have
losses. See appendices for chemical control options. brown, sunken cankers on the leaves, which can become
covered with pink spores in moist weather. See appendices
for chemical control options.
Downy mildew: Frogeye leaf spot:

t Symptoms include yellowish-green areas with indefinite tSymptoms consist of brown, circular to irregular spots with
borders on the upper leaf surface. narrow reddish brown margins on the leaf surfaces.
t The infected areas can enlarge and become brown and tWhen mature seeds are infected, lesions can develop on
papery. stems and pods.
t In severe cases, infected leaves die and fall off. tInfected seeds may show dark grey or brown discoloration
t The disease also attacks the pods and infects the seeds. in small specks to large blotches.
See appendices for chemical control options. tThe fungus survives in infected crop residues and in infected
seeds. It is important to invest in certified fresh seed every
year. See appendices for chemical control options.
Farmers Guide
Red leaf blotch: Bacterial blight:

t In the first stage of the disease lesions appear on unifoliol- tWhen plants are infected early in the season they may be
ate leaves associated with primary leaf vein. stunted and die.
t At this point the disease is easily confused with other tSymptoms in later growth stages consist of angular lesions,
diseases or cultural conditions affecting soybeans. which begin as small water- soaked yellow to light brown
t Later, dark red spots on the upper leaf surfaces and similar spots on the leaves.
spots with reddish brown and dark borders on the lower leaf tThe centres of the spots will turn a dark reddish-brown to
surfaces develop on trifoliate leaves. black and dry out.
tWater- soaked tissue then surrounds the lesions and is
bordered by a yellowish-green halo.
t Eventually the lesions will fall out of the leaf.
tThe disease spreads during windy rainstorms and during
cultivation while the foliage is wet.
tThe bacteria are carried over in crop debris and in infected
seeds.
tAlways use fresh certified seed every year.
tUse of copper based fungicides helps prevent bacterial
diseases.
etc
etc etc
Farmers Guide
Weed control
etc
etc
t Soyabean is sensitive to weed competition during the first 6 to be lost, thereby preventing mould developing in the
weeks after emergence. Failure to control weeds during this established cocks or stacks.
period will result in marked yield reduction due to competition. c) Swather plus combine. This method involves the use of a
Once the soyabean crop reaches full canopy, especially when swather to cut and wind-row the crop before it is combined. A
planted in narrow rows, it smoothers the weeds. pick-up attachment (picker) is required to be fitted to the
combine table.
Harvesting
Soyabean should be harvested as soon as the plants have d) Combine harvesting. Large areas are usually reaped by
dried. If harvesting is delayed, the pods may shatter with a combine harvester and losses are inevitable.
consequential loss of yield. t The degree of loss depends on the efficiency of the machine
and operator; the evenness of the land; the height of the pods
a) Hand harvesting. This method is suitable for small areas, or off the ground; lodging; the moisture content of the beans;
where a large labour force is readily available. and weed control.
t The advantages of hand harvesting are that losses can be t Machines must cut very close to the ground, and losses must
reduced to a minimum; soyabean of a high quality is be minimised by cutting at the correct moisture content and
produced; and the beans normally have a high viability. paying attention to machine adjustments.
t Therefore, hand harvesting is suitable for seed production. t The golden rule for combining is to “take it low and take it
t The usual system of hand harvesting is to allow labourers to slow”.
cut or pull as much plant material as they are able to thresh in t Soyabean seed is delicate and can be easily damaged by the
a day. threshing mechanism which must be carefully adjusted and
t For hand cutting, labourers require sickles or sharp hoes. run slowly.
t A labourer should be able to cut and thresh at least 50 to 90
kg of clean beans per day.
b) Mowing or cutting by hand and shelling. A variation is to use

a mower to cut the plant material, and a mechanical winnower
for the final cleaning.
t This method should enable an output of ± 150 kg (3
bags)/labour/day. This method enables harvesting to
commence before the pods split, but allows sufficient moisture
Farmers Guide
t Better seed appearance and uniformity.

t Two-seeded pods and good taste.
t Good kernel yields of 1.3t/ha.
t Drought stress tolerance.
t Resistant to aphids, Hilda and grain moth.
t Good rosette virus tolerance.
Characteristics of Seed Co Groundnut Varieties

Varieties SC Nyanda SC Mwenje
Type Short season & Short season &
Valencia type Valencia type
Seed Colour Tan Tan
Use Edible Nuts & Edible Nuts &
Peanut Butter Peanut Butter
Days to maturity
Lowveld (below 900masl) 85-95 85-95
Groundnut Production Middleveld (900-1250masl) 95-105 95-105
Groundnuts may be divided into three types, according Highveld (above 1250masl) 105-105 105-115
to the time taken to maturity: early, medium and late. Defoliation at lifting (%) 95 95
Early maturing groundnuts have a bushy bunch growth
Mass of 100 seeds (g) 290 290
habit; while medium and late maturing groundnuts have a
spreading growth habit. This section deals only with early Sound Mature Seeds (%) 70 70
maturing groundnuts, commonly grown under dryland
conditions. Fertilisation
t Basal fertiliser - Groundnuts should be grown in rotation with
Soils and climate cereals (e.g., maize and sorghum), which have been well
t Best results are obtained from deep, well-drained soils in fertilised, because groundnuts respond well when fertiliser is
good condition. applied to the previous crop rather than to the groundnuts
t Suitable soils include sands and sandy loams. Groundnuts will themselves. Thus, in most cases, no basal compound fertiliser
not grow well on acid soils and thus liming may be necessary is applied. Nevertheless, where the soil is known to be infertile
for good production (the ideal pH is 5.3 to 6.8). tGroundnuts or deficient in some nutrients, manure or a low rate (150 to
t must not be grown on the same land more than once in every 300 kg/ha) of a basal fertiliser (e.g. 7,14,7 or 5,18,10) or Single
four years. Super Phosphate may be applied. Groundnuts respond well
t Groundnuts are a good crop to grow before maize. to manure, because the manure not only supplies nutrients,
but also helps to ameliorate soil acidity.
t Early maturing groundnuts (e.g. SC Mwenje and SC Nyanda) t Top dressing. Groundnuts have a high requirement for
take about 115 days or less to maturity on the Middleveld. calcium, especially during the pegging stage. Low availability
t Late maturing groundnuts take about 160 days to maturity on of calcium at this stage will result in a large proportion of
the Middleveld and hence not very suitable in a rainfed empty shells. Calcium may be supplied with Gypsum (calcium
system. sulphate) at a rate of 250 kg per ha broadcast over the plants
at flowering (7 to 8 weeks after planting).
t Groundnuts are sensitive to cool overcast conditions both in t Split apply the Gypsum - half at first application and the other
the early part of the season and during pod filling. The ideal half 2 weeks later.
season is one which has much sunshine, coupled with
sufficient rainfall, especially during pegging and pod-filling. Crop establishment
t Groundnuts should be planted as early as possible, at least
Varietal choice before the end of November, but care must be taken not to
Two sought after short season varieties are Nyanda and plant too early otherwise they will be ready for lifting while the
Mwenje. rains are still around, which will cause problems.
t Suitable short-season varieties include Nyanda and Mwenje.
Nyanda Nyanda has proven to be the best short season cultivar in
t A very short duration, taller-statured variety with a more open trials throughout the drier regions.
growth habit. t Plant groundnuts at a spacing of 35 to 45 cm between rows
t Better seed appearance and uniformity. and 5 to 10 cm between seeds in the row. Seed requirements
t Two-seeded pods. are about 100 kg per ha. Depth of planting is 5 cm.
t Good kernel yields of 1t/ha.
t Drought stress tolerance.
t Resistant to aphids, Hilda and grain moth. Mid-season management
t Weed control is most important, especially in the early stages
Mwenje of crop growth. Weeding with hoes is possible up to the
t A very short duration, taller-statured variety with a more open flowering stage. Thereafter, weeds must be pulled out by
growth habit. hand to avoid disturbance of the pegs.
Farmers Guide
t Diseases - Groundnuts are susceptible to a number of leaf 2. The harvesting process includes loosening, lifting, wilting,
diseases such as Cercospora and Phoma, but control in cocking (curing), picking and finally shelling. It is important
short season groundnuts is not always necessary. Never- that once the plants are lifted they be allowed to wilt for a few
theless, a single spray with a fungicide like Mancozeb days with the pods exposed to the air before cocking. When
(Dithane M45) or Chlorothalonil (Bravo) at flowering or early cocking the groundnuts, keep the plants off the ground;
pegging may be beneficial, especially in wet years where ensure the cock is constructed to allow free flow of air
diseases may be problematic. With late maturing ground- through the cock (to facilitate rapid drying); and construct the
nuts, disease control is important. cock so that water cannot penetrate during rainy spells.
t Pests - Aphids may be a problem and may be controlled Curing and drying may take from 2 to 4 weeks. Begin picking
with a pesticide, for example, Dimethoate (Rogor). Leaf when the kernels rattle in the pods. It is possible to pick one
eating pests and Heliothis bollworm may be controlled with to two bags per person per day.
chemicals like Carbaryl.
3. Groundnuts must be dry before placing in a storehouse. The
Harvesting storehouse must be dry, cool and well ventilated. It is best to
1.This is a critical aspect of groundnut production, because of store groundnuts in their shells. Discard diseased, sprouted
the potential losses and disease infection that may occur at or insect-damaged pods and only store healthy, dry pods.
this time. Here are some points to consider: Shelling of groundnut pods may begin any time after the
Begin lifting groundnuts when 40 to 50 % of the pods are pods are dry. From 10 kg of unshelled nuts, there will be
mature. Pod maturity may be determined by counting out about 5 to 7 kg of shelled nuts.
100 pods from a number of plants and shelling these to
separate the mature and immature kernels (seeds). Mature 4. One large bag of shelled groundnuts weighs about 80 kg.
seeds have a seed skin (testa) that does not easily rub off, One large bag of unshelled groundnuts weighs about 35 kg.
and which has a thin papery texture and has developed the
colour of the variety. An immature seed has a thick, fleshy 5. Groundnuts may be sold to any dealer, but there are now
skin with a pale colour and which rubs off easily. Lifting small hand mills that make fine peanut butter, suitable for
should be complete by the time 70 to 80 % of the seeds are local markets, and which add value to the product.
mature or before plants are 90 % defoliated.
Production Guide in summary steps

Farmers Guide
Sugar bean production
Soils and climate have the right inoculant for sugar beans.
t Beans may be grown on a wide range of soils, but they
generally prefer soils with some clay content (> 15 %), and How to inoculate sugar beans with Rhizobia
they are sensitive to soil acidity. 1. Spread 100 kg of sugar bean seed (enough to plant 1 Ha)
t Beans are best grown during the cooler months of summer on a clean plastic sheet or in a large container.
(January to April) on the Highveld or in winter in the Lowveld 2. Mix 100 g of inoculant and 1 litre of water in a clean
with irrigation. In the Highveld, sugar bean can be grown after bucket.
frost occurrence. 3. Add 50 grams of sugar into the solution. The sugar acts as
an adhesive between the seed and the inoculant.
Varietal choice 4. Stir the solution for 30 seconds.
t A number of varieties are available, from speckled sugar 5. Sprinkle the inoculant mix onto the seed.
beans, for example SC Bounty and SC Sharp types to white 6. As you sprinkle the inoculant onto the seed, turn the seed
broad beans. gently to ensure that all seeds are coated with the inoculant.
t It is important to select the right variety for the intended The coated seeds should look shiny wet.
market, as there are definite market preferences. 7. Plant immediately after inoculation and protect the
t The most preferred is the speckled type. inoculated seed from direct sunlight by covering the container
t Also, choose varieties that are resistant to Rust, Anthrac- with paper, cloth or gunny bag.
nose, Angular Leaf Spot and Common Mosaic Virus 8. Sow the seeds in cool moist soil and cover immediately
diseases. Beans are prone to diseases transmitted through afterwards to protect the Rhizobia from sunlight.
the seed, so good quality, disease-free certified seed from Each inoculant packet is sufficient for 100 kg of seed. For
Seed Co should be obtained. smaller amounts of seeds, use 10 g inoculant (2 heaped
t Do not plant retained seed, but rather buy good seed each teaspoons), 5 g sugar (1 teaspoon) and 100 ml water per 10
year. kg seed.
Land preparation Planting and crop establishment.

t Select fertile to moderately fertile land with no waterlogging. This depends somewhat on the variety. Short determinate
Sugar beans do not tolerate acidic soils. The optimum pH varieties ought to be planted in 45 cm rows with 5 to 10 cm
range for sugar beans is 5.5-6.5 between plants, giving a population of about 350,000 plants
t Think about the rotation scheme for the field you want to per ha. Tall indeterminate varieties may be planted on wider
plant. To prevent diseases, do not plant beans in the same spacing. Seed is placed about 2 cm deep.
field you used for beans last season.
t Clear all vegetation and prepare the field manually with a Fertilisation
hoe, or use animal power or a tractor. You can plant sugar t Beans are sensitive to acid soils, so lime is required if the pH
beans on ridges or on a flat seedbed. Planting on ridges is less than 5,3 optimum level is 5,5 - 6,5. Beans are efficient
helps prevent waterlogging, which damages the sugar bean users of residual fertiliser but nevertheless they do respond to
plants. applied fertiliser, especially if the soil is inherently fertile.
t Well-prepared land ensures good germination and reduces Beans may be fertilised with manure or low rates (200 to 350
weed infestation. kg per ha) of a compound fertiliser (e.g. 7.14.7).
t A light top dressing with 100-150 kg/ha (depending on soil
Inoculation process type) with a 28-34% N fertiliser (e.g. Ammonium Nitrate) just
t Inoculation with Rhizobia is important to help sugar beans before flowering may also be required if the leaves are pale in
form nodules and fix nitrogen. Each legume crop needs a colour.
different type of rhizobium bacteria, so always check you
Farmers Guide
Plant spacing for beans sown on 45cm rows: t These may be applied either as a preventative spray or
when the disease is first seen.
In-row Plant t Generally, several sprays are required at intervals of 7 to 14
Spacing Population days.
Type (cm) (Plants/ha)
Speckled (SC Sharp/Bounty) 10 222 000
Plant spacing for beans sown on 50cm rows:
In-row Plant
Spacing Population
Type (cm) (Plants/ha) Anthracnose
t Anthracnose is a fungal disease where dark red to black
Speckled (SC Sharp/Bounty) 10 200 000 lesions develop on the whole plant, including the pods.
t On stems and pods, lesions are sunken.
Speckled (SC Sharp/Bounty) 8 250 000 t In moist weather the centres of lesions can become covered
with pink spores.
Speckled (SC Sharp/Bounty) 6 333 000 t Do not work in the field when plants are wet.
Target a population of 220k -330k/ha final stand

Diseases
t A number diseases such as Angular Leaf Spot (a fungus
disease common on speckled beans), Anthracnose (fungus),
Common Blight (bacteria), Halo Blight (bacteria), and Bean
Common Mosaic Virus affect sugar bean.
t Some of the fungal diseases may be controlled with appro-
priate chemicals, but for the other diseases, clean seed, crop
hygiene and crop rotation is important as a disease control
measure. Avoid walking through wet crops.
Angular leaf spot
t This is a fungal disease and is usually observed at
flowering.
t Primary leaves have round lesions and are usually larger
than the lesions on trifoliolate leaves. Lesions first appear
grey, and then become dark brown in colour. The spots
may increase in size and join together and reduce the yield.
Pests
t Common insects affecting bean plants in Zimbabwe are the
CMR beetle (blister beetle), cutworm, aphids, semi-loopers,
bean stem maggot, red spider mite, heliothis bollworm and
rootknot nematode.
t Insects can damage an entire crop.
t Therefore, check the field regularly for insects that damage
your plants. Not all insects, however, cause damage to the
bean plant.
Rust
t Rust is a common disease, which initially shows itself as t For example, bees will not harm your crop and some insects
such as spiders, lady birds and ants are natural enemies of
small yellow-white lesions (spots) on the older leaves. These
harmful insects.
enlarge and become reddish-brown.
t Also the larvae of the CMR beetle are beneficial because
t Most of the older varieties are susceptible to rust, but usually
they feed on grasshopper eggs.
the newer varieties have some resistance.
t A number of other pests may attack beans, such as aphids,
t Several fungicides are registered for control of rust (e.g.,
blister (CMR) beetles, chafer beetles, stink bugs, and boll
Mancozeb and Triademnol e.g. Shavit).
worms. Chemicals are available for the control of these.
Farmers Guide
Cowpeas production
Cowpeas are an ideal dryland crop (pulse) in low rainfall
areas because they are drought resistant and provide
excellent human nutrition and good rotational benefits.
They are also an intercropping crop under maize.
Soils
Aphids tCowpeas may be grown on a wide range of soils, but they are
somewhat sensitive to acid soils.
tCowpeas are legumes and may be grown on their own (sole
cropping) or inter-cropped with maize.
tIt is important to grow cowpeas in rotation with other crops in
order to help control diseases.
Varieties
There are two basic types of cowpeas: upright, bunch types,
used mainly for grain production; and spreading types, which
may be used for grain, vegetable or fodder. Improved
cultivars, e.g., IT18, are ideal for grain production, and mature
quickly. Do not plant retained seed r to avoid build-up of seed
borne diseases.
Planting and crop establishment

tPlant cowpeas anytime from the first rains until the end of
December.
tIn high rainfall areas, plant cowpeas late to avoid diseases
when the crop reaches maturity.
tWhen grown on their own, the following plant populations
should be achieved:
-Spreading types: 60 000 plants per ha (12 to 15 kg seed per
ha). Upright, bunch types: 120 000 plants per ha (30 to 50
kg seed per ha).
-The row width may be 45 to 90 cm.
Bean stem maggot -Closer rows may be used for upright, bunch types, while
wider rows may be used for spreading types.
Harvesting
tWhen the pods are almost dry, but before they shatter, cut
plants and wind-row.
tThresh when fully dry.
tIf the grain is being kept for home consumption, treat
appropriately to avoid infestation with bruchids and weevils.
Farmers Guide
Cropping Plant type Spacing Seed rate Populations

system (cm) (kg/Ha)
Sole crop Bushy 45 x 15 40-50 150 000
Spreading 75 x 20 20-25 67 000
Intercropping Bushy 180 x 15 10-15 37 000

Spreading 180 x 30 5-10 18 500
Planting
depth= 5-7cm
Fertilisation
Cowpeas will respond to manure or low rates (100 to 200 kg
per ha) of a compound fertiliser. (E.g. 7.14.7).
Diseases Wheat production

t Cowpeas are susceptible to a wide range of diseases.
t Virus diseases may be devastating.
t The best control measure is through the use of virus-free Soils and climate
seed produced under strict rogueing production systems tWheat is a temperate crop and is best grown in winter under
(i.e., removing and destroying any plants showing virus irrigation with optimum day temperatures of between 15 – 20
disease symptoms). degress celcius and cooler nights giving the best yields.
t Anthracnose – fungal disease that affects the stem, tThere are some varieties that may be grown in summer (such
branches, leaves and pods. as Sahai), but generally there is high disease and weed
t Control – grow resistant varieties; chemical control pressure in summer accompanied by warmer temperatures
(mancozeb) or any other suitable fungicide. that result in depressed yields (≤ 3t/ha), therefore, winter is the
best time for growing wheat in Zimbabwe.
Pests
Pests include Aphids, Heliothis bollworm, CMR beetle and tThe crop is adapted to a wide range of soils. The soils must
Tip-wilter. be well drained with an optimum pH range of 5.5-6.5 on a
t After harvest, the seed is susceptible to bruchids, a grain Calcium Chloride scale.
borer. tWheat yields are greater in the Highveld (>1200 masl (metres
t These pests may be controlled with appropriate chemicals. above sea level)) and Middleveld (900 – 1200 masl) with yield
potential of 8 to 12 t/ha compared to the Lowveld (<900 masl)
where yields average of 4.5-7 t/ha under good management.
Varietal choice
tNewer varieties are continuously being developed for wheat
production because of the threat of diseases, especially Leaf
Rust and Powdery Mildew.
tThe varieties from Seed Co, ideal for bread making, are short
stature, disease resistant and well adapted to winter produc-
tion.
tCurrent varieties include SC Nduna (White seeded), SC
Sekuru (red seeded), SC Smart (Red seeded), SC Stallion (red
seeded), Sky (red seeded), Select (white seeded) and SC
Serena (white seeded). SC Sahai is a rain-fed variety which
can be planted in mid-summer, around January.
Land preparation and soil conditioning

The most suitable soil for wheat is one with:
tA good effective depth with a fine tilth to ensure seed-soil
contact. Good seed-soil contact ensures good crop emer-
gence and stand which are the basis for good yields
tFavourable physical properties: good internal drainage and
good water holding capacity.
tChemical properties: sufficient and balanced quantities of
nutrients (NPK and other micro-nutrients/trace nutrients)
tBiological properties: good level of organic matter, and with
beneficial micro-organisms. The objective of soil tillage is to
maintain the existing structure of soil or to improve the
structure of poorly
Farmers Guide
structured soils as well as addressing the three properties as secondary stems (4 – 5 weeks after crop emergence) requires
mentioned above (physical, chemical and biological). very cool conditions that normally occurs in May and June
while Flowering (60 - 90 days) and Grain filling (> 90 days)
Soil conditioning must not coincide with frosty conditions to avoid crop sterility.
t Lime can be applied if required to ‘sweeten’ acidic soils to the
pH optimum range. Lime application should be based on soil Seeding Rates
analysis prescriptions. tThe optimum plant population for wheat is 220-250 plants per
t Gypsum improves soil physical structure i.e. removes hard m2. Seed rate depends on the seed size, germination
setting clodiness, removes surface crusting and poor percentage, planting conditions and planting method. To
workability as well as supplying the soil with complimentary achieve optimum population density, a seeding rate of about
Calcium and Sulphur for good crop stand and growth. 110-125 kg/ha when drilling and 125-135 kg/ha when
broadcasting with a vicon spreader is recommended. To
Tillage procedures ensure good crop standability and yield, farmers should
There are several options of tillage which fall under two broad adhere to these optimum population densities. Diseases such
categories: conservational and conventional tillage which can as Powdery Mildew are also minimized with good agronomic
be adopted in wheat production. practices.
t The conventional tillage procedure follows the following
steps: Deep ploughing (ripping or chisel plough)> liming and Irrigation requirements and scheduling
basal fertilizer application> disking and then followed by Since there is very little or no rainfall during winter in Zimba-
rolling. A roller can be pulled concurrently behind a disc bwe, irrigation is required to achieve a high yielding wheat
harrow. crop. The total gross amount of water required is between
t Conservational tillage also known as zero/minimum tillage is 450 and 600 mm per ha (i.e. 4.5 - 6 mega litres per ha)
another cheaper and more sustainable option which farmers depending on method of irrigation (Overhead irrigation with
can adopt. Conservational tillage minimizes soil disturbances sprinkler or use of Centre Pivots) and must be applied as the
by reducing the number of machine operations and promotes crop requires it. The key points are:
organic matter retention. Good tillage ensures good soil-seed t the soil must be brought to field capacity to the full potential
contact and good crop emergence and establishment. rooting depth (about 1,2 m) at planting to emerge the crop;
ta light irrigation must be applied at the 4th or 5th day after
Time of Planting sowing, to break the crust to ensure good crop emergence
The optimum time for planting winter wheat is between t a light irrigation must be applied at 14 to 17 days after
mid-April and the last week of May and even earlier in the emergence to stimulate crown root development and tillering.
Lowveld. Sometimes planting time can be extended to t irrigation thereafter must be applied to match crop water use.
mid-June but not normally recommended. Delayed planting On sandy soils with low water holding capacities, irrigate
results in a loss of about 50kg/ha/day after May. The first two frequently (7 to 9 day cycles with 30-35mm net). On clays and
weeks of May tend to give the best yields in the Highveld sandy clays, with good water holding capacities, irrigation may
areas. be less frequent with larger amounts (10 to 14 day cycles with
40-45 mm net). This is a general irrigation scheduling guide.
Adhering to the optimum planting time has some For an informed irrigation scheduling, the use of a soil auger to
agronomic benefits: evaluate the soil water content ahead and behind the irrigation
t Early summer rain escape: Rains which come after the wheat line is a good aid to irrigation management. Irrigation is
has reached physiological maturity causes pre-harvest terminated when the neck of the ears/spikes/head (peduncle)
sprouting (grain germination in the ear) and results in down turn yellow i.e. physiological maturity.
grading of the wheat due to a decline in baking qualities
t Disease escape: Disease pressure especially for rust diseases, Crop hardening
normally rises when temperatures start to warm up around After the crop has emerged, the hardening stage begins. This
August and an early planted crop would have gotten a good induces crown root development as well as tillering. The
head start without disease pressure. recommended hardening period (irrigation is temporarily
t Pest escape: Likewise pest pressure, such as aphids, begin to terminated during this stage) is 10 and 14 days in light and
increase when temperatures start to rise. An early planted heavy soils respectively.
crop will have a good head start ahead of pest pressure. tTop dressing fertilizer and herbicide application is done after a
t Early planting will result in early harvesting around September. light irrigation which follows the hardening period, normally
One of the key considerations for the adoption of double about 21 days after emergence.
cropping is early planting and early harvesting for both
summer and winter crops. The farmer will come in with his Fertilisation
summer crop on time when wheat is planted and harvested tThe fertiliser regime management in wheat, like any other
early. Generally, wheat takes about 125-140 days to reach crop, must be tailored to the soil fertility status; the yield
physiological maturity depending on variety, altitude and potential; and the grain quality requirements. As a general
weather conditions. The higher the altitude, the longer the guide, wheat requires a basal application of 300 to 500 kg/ha
time from planting to maturity. of a compound fertiliser (such as 7-14-7) and a top dressing
t Wheat critical stages such as crop establishment, tillering, of 350 to 500 kg of Urea or Ammonium Nitrate per ha. Both
flowering and grain filling will coincide with the optimum fertilizer dressings are broadcast by a vicon.
growth conditions when the crop is early planted. For t Generally, 160 -190kg/ha of Nitrogen Units (N), 50 - 70 units
instance, for robust tillering i.e. for the plant to produce of Phosphorous (P) and 30 – 50 units of Potassium (K) are
adequate for optimum plant growth.
Farmers Guide
t Basal fertilizer need incorporation into the soil by disking and The best and smarter option is for farmers to grow resistant
should be applied after primary tillage. varieties and Seed Co wheat varieties such as SC Select that
are resistant to these diseases. Generally two preventative
t The top dressing is usually applied in one application between fungicide sprays are recommended if farmers are located in
14 – 21 days after emergence on heavy soils, and in two disease prone areas and give some form of insurance against
applications of equal amounts at 14 and 35 days after climate change that can result in new disease pathotypes.
emergence on sandy soils by broadcasting. Top dressing NB: Farmers are encouraged to scout their wheat crop for
should be applied after the hardening stage. Top dressing is diseases, pests and deficiencies and make spraying decisions
essential for good leaf and general plant growth and ultimately early when pest/disease reaches economic threshold levels.
the yield but also importantly for attaining good protein levels.
Crop rotation with legumes such as soybean is a good way of
t The minimum protein level requirement for “Premium” (Good reducing disease pressure.
quality) wheat is 11%. It is one of the considerations for Consult Agrochemical companies for more information on
grading and pricing of wheat. chemicals. Always read chemical labels carefully, use safe
t Attainment of good protein levels is also determined by practices and adequate protective gear during application.
varietal choice and general management.
t Application of Nitrogen after flowering can also boost the
Grain Protein Content of wheat.
All fertility management practices must be based on proper full
soil analysis recommendations by approved laboratories.
Weed control
t Farmers are advised to use some wheat specific post-
emergence herbicide which should be applied after a light
irrigation which follows the hardening period (2 Weeks After
Crop Emergence).
t It is also recommended that farmers apply specific herbicides
against volunteer crops.
t Puma super is normally sprayed when wheat is planted after a
Wheat is a temperate crop and is best grown in winter
maize crop to protect against maize volunteer plants.
under irrigation
t For soya volunteers, a herbicide called Ally is recommended.
Banvel and MCPA combination covers a wide spectrum of
broad leaf weeds and is recommended.
It is important for farmers to read labels whenever they are
applying herbicides. Consult with chemical companies for
information on new effective herbicides. See appendices for
wheat herbicide options.
Pests and diseases

t Aphids and stalk borers can attack wheat with aphids coming
in early, soon after tillering, while borers can attack the plant
from flowering onwards.
t Farmers must also be on the look-out for “Fall armyworm”
given that wheat is one of the host crops to the pest. These
pests can be controlled with appropriate pesticide sprays after Generally centre pivot irrigation is the simplest method
scouting. of irrigating any crop
t During the late grain-filling period, Quelea birds may
consume much grain and reduce yields significantly if not
attended to.
t A pesticide molecule called 9,10-Anthraquinone 50% WP
(Bird Shield) has been developed, which can be used as a
seed dressing or as a foliar spray at soft dough stage.
t Efficacy of this pesticide molecule can be enhanced by
applying with a sticker and also a rainfree period of 4 hours or
more. This pesticide molecule will act as a bird repellent. This
is the best and the most efficient option. The other option is
bird-scaring using bells, tins, whistles, discs/reflectors etc. by
bird scaring gangs.
t Diseases such as Leaf Rust, Stem Rust, Powdery Mildew,
Fusarium Head Blight and Take-All may cause yield reduction.
Farmers must seek professional advice on how to control
Seed Co wheat varieties are ideal for bread making
these diseases.
Farmers Guide
Fungal disease & fungicide remedies
Weed and pest control

Farmers Guide
Wheat production: General tips: tEnergy use, either electricity units or diesel litres
1. Plan ahead: Evaluate available water resources in order to tDates and amounts of irrigation applied
calculate wheat area based on proposed gross application. tEvaporation and air temperature
Irrigation equipment and infrastructure must be ready, with tLabour
checks made on pumping unit, conveyance system, pivot,
sprinkler condition and nozzle wear. Centre pivot-irrigation scheduling-a general guide
2. Soil condition and fertilisation: Soil sampling is always the Generally centre pivot irrigation is the simplest method of
starting point in determining the rates and types of soil irrigating any crop. For efficiency, there are factors to consider
conditioners and fertilisers to be used. when using centre pivots.
3. Start at field capacity: Crop emergence requires a soil
profile that is at field capacity down to the full potential of the tIt is proven that a farmer gets more effective water application
rooting depth. This should be achieved by the 3 – 4 leaf stage, on a fixed centre pivot as compared to a towable pivot. This is
at the latest. This is important because wheat roots grow largely due to the fact that there is run down time loss due to
downwards at a rate of 20 – 30 mm/day and any dry layers towing from one centre to the other.
within the profile will impede root growth and proliferation.
4. Establishment irrigation: Seed germinates better in the tIt is advisable that when using a fixed centre pivot anything
presence of good soil moisture. Establishment irrigations need between a 10mm and 12 mm spray package is
to be geared to achieve a uniform and adequate stand, and recommended.
this depends on planting method and uniformity of irrigation.
Drilled seed normally requires one good irrigation to cause tHowever, if it is a towable centre pivot and a farmer intends to
germination because of good soil-seed contact. Broadcasted do two circles with one pivot a bigger spray package is more
seed or zero tillage fields, require frequent (2 – 3 day intervals) ideal for the pivot and this can be from 14 mm to 20 mm
light irrigations (25mm) for effect establishment. A light spray package depending on specific requirements.
irrigation is essential (4 – 7 days after the first irrigation) in soils
that are prone to crusting to assist with emergence. tA bigger spray package is recommended for towable centre
5. Ensure crown root development and tillering: At 3 - 4 leaf pivots to reduce the turnaround time of the centre pivot to
stage (14 – 17 days after the first germination irrigation), crown avoid moisture stress in the other circle.
roots and the ear begin to develop and tillers start growing.
Water deficit adversely affects these processes yet they play tFor easy water application, a farmer is advised to run their
an important role in yield formation. At this stage, usually the pivot in WET mode. The wet mode allows the operator to
top 100 – 150mm of the soil is dry and crown roots will not program the pivot to apply the exact amount of mm required
grow into the dry soil. It is necessary to apply a light irrigation at the particular stage of growth of the crop. In instances
to stimulate crown roots and tillering. It is also an appropriate where the pivot is run in dry mode the operator will be
time to top dress the wheat with Nitrogen fertilizer. required to calculate the percentage on the timer which
6. Initiate an irrigation schedule early and monitor the soil corresponds with the amount of water (mm) that need to be
and crop through to maturity: Scheduling assists the applied and in most cases errors on calculation are some-
manager to monitor crop progress and thereby ensures the times common and a farmer will not achieve the intended
best treatment possible is given to the crop. Assess soil and spray volumes.
crop conditions before and after each irrigation cycle to
evaluate whether or not the irrigation is recharging the soil tIt is advisable then that farmers should ask their centre pivot
profile to the satisfaction of the plant needs. A soil auger is service provider to program the machine to work in the wet
extremely useful in this regard. An auger test ahead of the line mode.
will show how deep the plant is drawing water while an auger
test two positions behind the line will show how effective the Chemigation/fertigation calibrations guide
irrigation application is in replenishing the soil. Well irrigated Calibration factors that need to be considered when using a
wheat has a dark green colour, soft large leaves and many centre pivot for chemigation and fertigation include the sizing
tillers, whilst “stressed wheat” has a bluish colour, hard, spikey of the dosing pump and its pumping rate.
leaves which may also roll up in some varieties, and a few
tillers with small ears. tAlways ensure you discuss with your pumps specialist before
7. Crop maintenance: Weed, disease and pest control are purchasing a dosing pump for correct dosing pump sizing for
important in achieving a good crop. your applications as applications vary from case to case.
8. Timing of the last irrigation: There is no point in irrigating a
yellowing crop and grains are fully formed and after hard tIt is also important that your fertigation or chemigation unit is
dough stage. Full maturity is reached when the peduncle as close as possible to the centre pivot inlet as possible
(neck, area below the ear/spike) turns yellow. Irrigation applied generally not more than six metres. Below are critical factors
during later grain-fill at hard dough stage is of no value to the to be considered when using a pivot for both chemigation and
crop and may even reduce the quality of the grain. Water after fertigation.
ripening may cause pre-harvesting sprouting (germination in
the ear) leading to down grading of wheat due to reduced
grain quality.
9. Keeping irrigation records: It helps to plan future irrigation
practices. Useful records include;
t8BUFSVTBHFXJUIBnPXNFUFS
Farmers Guide
1. Length of the pivot to the edge of the effective wetted area

2. Length of the pivot to the last tower
3. Last tower travel distance in a given amount of time running at
present application. This point has to be verified physically by
the farmer with the pivot running in wet mode at the present
application rate. Do not rely on literature or pivot control panel
as other factors such as terrain (e.g. slope/gradient) can affect
last tower run speed - so this must be verified.
4. Targeted product application rate in kg/litre per hectare
5. Product concentration in kg/litres per cubic metre of active
ingredient
6. Percentage of a full circle centre pivot that will be used during
the application
Harvesting
On a large scale, wheat is usually harvested by combine, but it
is possible to hand harvest and thresh small areas of wheat.
Combine harvesters must be set carefully and operated A crop doctor
according to Service Manuals in order to keep harvest losses
to a minimum. A crop doctor is a farmer who takes time to investigate
his fields in order to prevent problems and improve
productivity. He walks his fields regularly, observing,
thinking, inspecting and evaluating. He diagnoses
problems and seeks solutions.
Here are some tips on how to be a crop doctor:

Take with you a small hoe or spade, a knife, a notebook and
pen. Walk through your fields in a random manner, stopping
every now and then to examine the soil, plants and
surrounds. Be observant, be an investigator, think, take
notes.
Examine at least ten places in the field when taking a general
inspection, but if scouting for pests it may be necessary to
examine between 24 and 100 plants, depending on the pest
and the size of field.
Consider the recent weather patterns. How has the weather
been for crop production? Has it been hot and dry, cold and
wet, or overcast? How may this have affected the crop?
Look at the soil and roots. Dig into the soil, and ask yourself
questions: Are the roots shallow, deformed, or normal? Is the
soil dry or wet? Is there a crust, compaction or impediment?
Are there any pests in the soil?
Study the crop plants. What was the planting date? Is the
plant spacing correct? Are the plants evenly spaced? How
many leaves are on the plant? Do the plants look healthy?
When and how was the fertiliser applied? What pests and
diseases can you find? Are the leaves being eaten? Is there
any lodging? How long before harvest? Pull up a plant, cut
open the stem,
and look to see if there is anything unusual. Pull up a plant,
cut open the stem, and look to see if there is anything
unusual. Pull open the flowers, pods or cobs; what do you
find? Are they normal, or are there problems?
Weed control. Can you identify the weeds? Are they too
numerous? How and when are you going to control the
weeds? Did the herbicide work? If no, why not? If you are
Wheat harvesting done by combine hand weeding, how long before the field will be finished?
Pest and disease control. Do the pests or diseases need to
be controlled? How will you do this? Was the last pest or
disease control measure effective? If not, why not?
Make plans. What is the most important thing to be done in
each field? How and when are these going to be done?
Matter of fact: The best fertilizer is the footmarks of the

farmer in the field!
Farmers Guide
Appendices
MAIZE PESTICIDE REFERENCE GUIDE: Maize Insecticides
PROBLEM ACTIVE INGREDIENT TRADE NAME
Aphids Dimethoate 40EC Rogor
Armyworm Carbaryl 85 WP
Malathion 50 EC
Black Maize Beetle Carbosulfan 25EC Marshall
Chlorpyrifos Pyrinex
Dusban
Chafer Beetle Carbaryl 85 WP
Cutworm Chlopyriphos/ Pyrinex

48EC
Fenvalerate
Lamda - cyhalothrin
Thiamethoxam/metalaxyl- Apron star

M/Difenoconazole
Dusty Surface Imidacloprid

beetle
False Wireworm Chlopyrifos
Larger Grain Borer Actellic Gold Dust ACTELLIC GOLD

DUST
Leaf Hoppers Imidacloprid 70 WS Gaucho 70 WS/
Dimethoate 40 EC
Snout Beetles Carbaryl 85 WP
Carbofuran Curaterr
SEED DRESSING Imidacloprid (Gauncho 70 125g/50 kg seed

WS)
Stalk borer Carbaryl 85 WP
Chlopyriphos
Carbosulfan Marshal 25 EC
Cypermethrin Ripcord
Termites Imidacloprid 200ml/100lt of water

200SL(confidor)
Fipronil Regent
Farmers Guide
STORAGE INSECT PESTS:
Larger grain borer, Pirimiphos methyl/ Actellic gold dust Sprinkle 25g/50kg grain
lesser grain borer, Thiamethoxam
Chirindamatura 25g/50 kg grain
MOTHS Pirimiphos-
methyl/Permethrin Super Guard 10ml/1-2 l water & spray over 1000kg grain
MAIZE HERBICIDES
PRODUCT TRADE NAME TIME OF APPLICATION DETAILS/ REMARKS

APPLICATION
Acetochlor 900 EC HANNESS Pre - Emergence Annual grasses & some broad leaf weeds. Use with B/L
herbicide for improved B/L weed control. Use Higher rates
for yellow nutsedge control
Alachlor 480 EC LASSO Pre - Emergence Annual grasses & broad leaf weeds. Apply immediately
after planting to well-prepared seedbeds. Use with
recommended broad leaf herbicide.
Ametryn 50 SC Post Directed Annual grasses, B/L weeds & Nutsedge. Apply as a
directed spray. AVOID DIRECT CONTACT WITH
CROP. (MCPA must be 40% formulation)
Atrazine 50 FW Pre & early Post E B/L weeds & some grasses. should be mixed with a grass
herbicide. Refer to label for combination rates.[
Bentazone BASAGRAN Post Emergence B/L weeds & yellow nutsedge. May be applied at any stage
of crop. Use Higher rates for nutsedge control.
Bromoxynil BUCTRIL Post Emergence Apply over the top of the crop from 3 leaf stage until tassel
emergence. Use higher rate for aerial application. May be
mixed with Atrazine 500 FW to give residual weed control.
Dicamba BANVEL Post E directed B/L weeds & soya beans. Over the crop spray until maize is
knee high. Directed spray from knee height to 15 days
before tassle emergence. COMMERCIAL MAIZE ONLY
Frontier Optima Pre & Early Post E Annual grasses, some B/L weeds & suppression of yellow
nutsedge & wandering Jew. May be mixed with a B/L
herbicide.
Halosulfuron 75 WG SERVIAN Post Emergence Yellow & Purple Nutsedge control. Add Compliment oil.
Apply to young 2- 6 leaf stage weeds.
MCPA Pre -Emergence B/L weeds
Post -Emergence Post - emergent directed inter-row spray after 12 leaf stage
of maize
Sencor 480 SC + Post – Emergence Early post emergence. B/L weeds ( 4 leaf stage). Apply as a
full cover or as a directed spray. Essential that crop is
MCPA (tank mix) treated with pre- emergent grass killer
Metribuzin 48 SC + MCPA (tank mix Post Emergence (Post E directed (layby). Apply when crop is 300 - 400mm
tall. Avoid spraying crop
Nicosulfuron (Accent) SHAMVA KILL, Post Emergence Shamva grass & wild sorghum control. For use on
commercial maize only. Shamva grass & some B/l weeds.
Nicosulfuron (Sanson) ACCENT, Post Emergence Add Sanawett at 0.1 % spray mix & apply before 4 leaf
SANSON stage & not after the 7 leaf stage of maize. COMMERCIAL
MAIZE ONLY.
COMBINATION HERBICIDES:
Annual grasses & broad leaf weeds. Avoid spraying over

Farmers Guide
Topamezone/Dicamba STELLAR STAR Early Post Emergence top of maize after the maize is 80cm high.
Saflufenacil/ Dimethenamid-P INTEGRITY Pre Emergence Annual grasses, B/L weeds & yellow nutsedge.
Metolachlor/Terbuthylazine/Mesotrione MAXIMUS Pre Emergence B/L weeds.
AUXO Pre Emergence Annual grasses & broad leaf weeds.
SOYA BEAN PESTICIDE REFERENCE GUIDE: Diseases
PROBLEM ACTIVE INGREDIENT TRADE NAME APPLICATION DETAILS
Soya bean rust Flusilazole/ Carbendazim Punch Xtra Apply 3 or more sprays from flowering at 21 day
intervals
Difenoconacole Score Full cover spray from 50 days after planting
Terbuconazole Folicure Full cover spray at 1st signs of disease
Pyraclostrobin/Epoxiconazole Opera Apply 1st spray at 28 days after emergence
Triadimenol Shavit Applyv 2 or 3sprays from day 50after planting
Frog eye leaf spot Azoxystrobin/ Amistar Top First spray at onset of disease
Difenoconazole
Difenoconazole Score Full cover spray at 1st signs of disease
Epoxiconazole Opus Full cover spray at 1st signs of disease
Pyraclostrobin/Epoxiconazole Opera Full cover spray at 1st signs of disease
Red leaf blotch Difenoconazole Score First spray at onset of disease
Chloranhtraniliprole/ Lamda Ampligo Full cover spray at 1st signs of disease

cyhalothrin
Pyraclostrobin/Epoxiconazole Opera Full cover spray at 1st signs of disease
SOYA BEAN PESTICIDE REFERENCE GUIDE: Insecticides
Aphids Dimethoate 40EC Rogor Mix with 100lt water. Repeat as necessary as low
volume, full cover spray.
Cutworm Chlopyriphos/ Pyrinex Apply in 300mm band in 400 lt of water at planting.

48EC
Fenvalerate Mix with 100lt of water. Apply as a band spray at

planting or at germination in 250lt water/ha.
Lamda - cyhalothrin Apply over crop row at time of germination
Thiamethoxam/metalaxyl- Apron star Apply as seed dressing.

M/Difenoconazole
Semi loppers & Carbaryl 85 WP Apply at 1st signs of infestation.

Bollworms
Dichlorvos DDVP Apply as a full cover spray after flowering.
Chlorontraniliprole/Lamda Ampligo Apply as a full cover spray as necessary.

Cyhalothrin
Farmers Guide
SOYA BEAN HERBICIDES

APPLICATION
Acetochlor 900 EC HANNESS/ Pre - Emergence Annual grasses & some broad leaf weeds. Use with B/L
VOLCANO herbicide for improved B/L weed control. Use Higher rates for
yellow nutsedge control
Alachlor 480 EC LASSO Pre - Emergence Annual grasses & broad leaf weeds. Apply immediately after
planting to well-prepared seedbeds. Use with recommended
broad leaf herbicide.
Linuron Afalon Pre Emergence Annual grasses & B/L weeds.
Clomazone COMMAND/ Pre Emergence Annual grasses & volunteer cereal

KALIF
Metribuzin Sencor Pre Emergence B/L weeds & some grasses
Metalachlor Metalachlor Pre Emergence Annual grasses some broad leaf weeds & yellow nutsedge
Frontier Optima Pre & Early Post E Annual grasses, some B/L weeds & suppression of yellow
herbicide.
Fluazifop-P - butyl Fusilade Post Emergence Annual & Perennial grasses
Imazethapyr Puruit Post Emergence Annual grasses & B/L weeds.
Fomesafen Flex W Post Emergence B/L weeds
Bentazone BASAGRAN Post Emergence B/L weeds & yellow nutsedge. May be applied at any stage of
crop. Use Higher rates for nutsedge control.
Chlorimuron-ethyl CLASSIC Post B/L weeds & yellow nutsedge.
GROUNDNUTS PESTICIDE REFERENCE GUIDE: Insecticides
PROBLEM ACTIVE INGREDIENT TRADE NAME APPLICATION DETAILS H.I

(Days)
Aphids Dimethoate 40EC Rogor Mix with 100lt water. Repeat as necessary as low 21
Cutworm Chlopyriphos/ Pyrinex Apply in 300mm band in 400 lt of water at planting. 32

48EC
Fenvalerate Mix with 100lt of water. Apply as a band spray at

planting or at germination in 250lt water/ha.
Snout beetles Cabaryl Apply at 14 -21 day intervals 14

Farmers Guide
Semi loppers & Dichlorvos DDVP Apply as a full cover spray after flowering. 2
Bollworms
Chlorontraniliprole/Lamda Ampligo Apply as a full cover spray as necessary. 15

Cyhalothrin
GROUNDNUTS: Diseases
PROBLEM ACTIVE INGREDIENT TRADE NAME APPLICATION DETAILS / REMARKS H.I

(Days)
Cercospora Benomyl Benlate Apply a full cover spray at 1st sign of leaf spotting. 14
Difenoconazole Score First spray at onset of disease. 14
Chlorothalonil Bravo First spray at onset of disease 7
Sulphur Wettable sulphur
Rust Terbuconacole Folicur Full cover spray
Botrytis Benomyl Benlate Apply at 14 -21 day intervals 14
Terbuconazole Folicur Apply 4/5 sprays per season 21
Dichlorvos DDVP Apply as a full cover spray after flowering. 2
Chlorontraniliprole/Lamda Ampligo Apply as a full cover spray as necessary. 15

Cyhalothrin
GROUNDNUT HERBICIDES:

APPLICATION
Acetochlor 900 EC HANNESS/ Pre - Emergence Annual grasses & some broad leaf weeds. Use with B/L
VOLCANO herbicide for improved B/L weed control. Use Higher rates for
yellow nutsedge control
Alachlor 480 EC LASSO Pre - Emergence Annual grasses & broad leaf weeds. Apply immediately after
planting to well-prepared seedbeds. Use with recommended
broad leaf herbicide.
Metalachlor DUAL MAGNUM Pre Emergence Annual grasses some broad leaf weeds & yellow nutsedge
linuron Afalon Pre Emergence Annual broadleaf weeds & some grasses
Farmers Guide
Dimethenamid Frontier Optima Pre Emergence Annual grasses, some B/L weeds & suppression of yellow
herbicide.
Prometryn Pre Emergence B/L weeds
Fluazifop-P - butyl Fusilade Post Emergence Annual & Perennial grasses
Imazethapyr Pur Post Emergence Annual grasses & B/L weeds.
Fomesafen Flex W Post Emergence B/L weeds
Bentazone BASAGRAN Post Emergence B/L weeds & yellow nutsedge. May be applied at any stage of
crop. Use Higher rates for nutsedge control.
Propaquizafop Agil Post Emergence Annual & Perrenial grasses including wheat & Shamva grass
SORGHUM PESTICIDE REFERENCE GUIDE: Insecticides
Aphids Dimethoate 40EC Rogor Mix with 100lt water. Repeat as necessary as low
Black maize beetle Carbosulfan Marshal Apply as a 250 mm wide band into planting furrow or as
full cover spray disced in before planting.
Chlopyriphos Spray into plant furrow just behind the planter shoe
before closing the furrow.
Heliothis bollworm Fenvarelate Apply when pest is noticed from flowering.
Stalk borer Carbosulfan Marshal Apply as a 250mm wide band into plantiung furrows.
STORAGE INSECT PESTS:
Larger grain borer, Pirimiphos methyl/ Actellic gold dust Sprinkle 25g/50kg grain
lesser grain borer, Thiamethoxam
Chirindamatura 25g/50 kg grain
MOTHS Pirimiphos-
methyl/Permethrin Super Guard 10ml/1-2 l water & spray over 1000kg grain
SORGHUM: Diseases
Smut & Damping Thiram Score Apply as seed dressing.

off.
SORGHUM: HERBICIDES:

APPLICATION
Atrazine Pre & Early Post Annual broadleaf weeds & some grasses
Farmers Guide
Bentazone Basagran Post Emergence Broad leaf weeds & sedges.
Bromoxynil Buctril Post Emergence Annual grasses some broad leaf weeds & yellow
nutsedge
MCPA-K-Salt MCPA Post Emergence B/L weeds. Post emergent application only when crop
plants are 150 -250 mm. Any spray after should be
directed.
Metolachlor/Terbuthylazine/Mesotrione Maximus Pre E & Post E B/L weeds.
Terbutryn Pre Emergence B/L weeds
SUGAR BEAN PESTICIDE REFERENCE GUIDE: Sugar bean Insecticides
Aphids Dimethoate Rogor, Dimethoate 40 EC

Malathion Malathion 25 WP/50EC , Aphid kill
Diazinon Diazinon 30 EC/40 EC
BEAN STEM MAGGOT Diazinon Diazinon 30 EC/ 40 EC (SPRAY AT DAY 3,6,13,20)
Crickets Cabaryl Cabaryl 85 WP
Flour Beetle, Moths Pirimiphos- Chirindamatura Dust
methyl/Permethrin
Primiphos - methyl +
Thiamethoxam Actellic gold dust
Grass hoppers Cabaryl Cabaryl 85 WP
Heliothis bollworm & Cabaryl Cabaryl 85 WP

caterpillars
Leaf miner Cartap nydrochloride Suntap 500 SP
Red spider mite Amitraz Amitraz 20 EC

Diazinon Diazinon 30 EC
Dimethoate Dimethoate 40 %
Malathion Malathion 25 WP/50EC
Sulphur Dusting sulphur, Agridust
Semi loopers Dichlorvos DDVP100EC
SUGAR BEAN: HERBICIDES

APPLICATION
S – Metalachlor DUAL MAGNUM Pre Emergence Annual grasses, yellow nutsedge & some broad leaves.
Lasso ALACHLOR Post Emergence Annual grasses & some broadleaf weeds.
Metalachlor + Flumetsulam BATELEUR GOLD Pre Emergence Grasses & Broad leaf weeds including yellow nutsedge.
Clomazone COMMAND Pre Emergence Annual grasses & some broadleaf weeds
Dimethanimide - P FRONTIER Pre Emergence Annual grasses, broad leaf weeds & yellow nutsedge
OPTIMA
Bentazone BASAGRAN Post Emergence Wide range of broad leaf weeds
Propaquizafop AGIL Post Emergence Annual & Perennial grasses
Fluazifop – P- butyl FUSILADE Super/ Post Emergence Annual & Perennial grasses
Forte
Farmers Guide
SUGAR BEAN : Diseases
Rust & Scab Terbuconazole Folicure Apply when 1st signs of the disease appear .
Mancozeb Dithane M 45 Spray as preventative & repeat as necessary.
Anthracnose & Mancozeb Dithane M 45 Spray as preventative & repeat as necessary.

Black spot
Bacterial Blight Copper Oxychloride Copper Oxychloride Spray as preventative & repeat as necessary.
85 WP
Damping off & Thiram Thiram 80 WP Apply as seed dressing.

Rhizoctonia
Fludioxonil Maxim XL 035 FS
Apron star
WHEAT PESTICIDE REFERENCE GUIDE: Wheat Insecticides
Aphids Dimethoate 40EC Rogor
Imidacloprid Pilaking
Carbosulfan Marshal
Acetamiprid Blast 60 EC
Carbosulfan Marshal 25 EC
Thiometon Ekatin 25 EC
Pirimicarb Pirimor 50 DG
Armyworm Carbaryl Carbaryl 85 WP
Malathion Malathion 50 EC
Cypermethrin ZFC Cypermethrine
Termites Imidacloprid
200SL(confidor)
Fipronil Regent
Bollworm Tetrachlovinphos Gardona 50 WP

Farmers Guide
WHEAT: Herbicides

APPLICATION
Bentazone BASAGRAN Post Emergence B/L weeds & yellow nutsedge. May be applied at any stage
of crop. Use Higher rates for nutsedge control.
Bromoxynil BUCTRIL Post Emergence Apply over the top of the crop from 3 leaf stage until tassel
emergence. Use higher rate for aerial application. May be
mixed with Atrazine 500 FW to give residual weed control.
Dicamba BANVEL Post Emergence directed B/L weeds & soya beans. Over the crop spray until maize is
knee high. Directed spray from knee height to 15 days
before tassle emergence. COMMERCIAL MAIZE ONLY
MCPA – K- Salt MCPA Post Emergence B/L weed apply from 3 leaf stage.
Metsulfuron-methyl ALLY Post Emergence B/L weeds & soya beans
Tribenuron methyl TRIBENURON, Post Emergence B/Lweeds & volunteer soyabean

GRANSTAR
Fenoxaprope-p-ethyl Puma Super Post Emergence Annual and perennial grasses, volunteer maize and
sorghum.
WHEAT: Diseases
Rust Triadimenol Triadimenol/Shavit Apply when 1st signs of the disease appear .
Powdery mildew Terbuconazole Folicure Full cover spray at 1st signs of disease
Brown stem rust Propiconazole Tilt Full cover spray at 1st signs of disease
Damping off Thiram Apply as seed dressing.
Triadimenol Shavit Applyv 2 or 3sprays from day 50after planting
Loose smut & Benomyl Benlate First spray at onset of disease

Smut
Tridimenol
Farmers Guide
Sugar bean weed control
Pre-emergence
Frontier
Optima
Metalachlor
Basagran
Alachlor
Bateleur
Gold
Post-emergence
Imazamax, Pursuit, Afalon, Basagran, Fusilade, Agil e.t.c.
Sugar bean pests and control
Bean stem maggot, cutworm, aphids, white flies, blister (CMR)

beetles, chafer beetles, stink bugs and bollworms, semi loopers e.t.c.
Foliar spray
Thionex, Karate Zeon 5CS, Lambda, Dimethioate, Blast Super & Cabaryl e.t.c.
Farmers Guide
Sprayer calibration
Proper calibration can save the farmer a lot of money which can be losses through phytotoxicity, over or under-applying, reduced chemical efficacy.
Accurate sprayer calibration is essential for proper chemical application and control. Thoroughly inspect and service spray rigs regularly and calibrate at
least twice in a season.
Calibration is the setting of the sprayer to apply the correct or given volume of spray mixture on a per unit area (or per hectare) basis. Consider the
following pointers when calibrating:
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The application rate is calculated as follows:
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Farmers Guide
Maize nutrient deficiency
Nitrogen Deficiency
Symptoms:
1. Stunted, spindly growth and pale, yellowish-green foliage in young plants
2. Older plants develop a V-shaped yellowing along the midrib to the tips of the bottom leaves
3. Stalks remain thin and spindly
4. Ears tend to be pinched at the tips, kernels are glossy, hard and flinty.
Notes:
1. Favored by cold, wet, or flooded soils, drought (especially after midseason), sandy soils low in
organic, heavy leaching rains and ponded areas in warm weather
2. Apply ammonium nitrate fertilizer at the recommended rate (400kg/ha)
Magnesium Deficiency
Symptoms:
1. Manifests in seedlings as general yellowing of upper leaves.
2. Eventually, yellow-to-white interveinal stripping develops, and older leaves appear reddish purple
along their edges and tips
Notes:
1. Favored by strongly acid, sandy soils in regions of moderate to high rainfall, high K, and soil
treated with limestone low in magnesium.
2. Apply foliar spray of Magnesium sulphate
Phosphorous Deficiency Symptoms:

1. Purpling or reddening of the leaves beginning early in the growing season.
2. Leaf tips die and turn dark brown
3. Ears on affected plants are small and often appear twisted with irregular kernel rows and with
imperfectly developed ear tips
Notes:
1. Favoured by: cold, too wet or too dry soils, restricted root growth in compacted soils and root
damage by insects, cultivator or herbicides.
2. Apply basal fertilizer (N,P,K) at the recommended rate (400kg/ha)
Potassium Deficiency
Symptoms:
1. Yellowing and dying of the leaf margins beginning at the tips of the lower leaves.
2. Plants often lodge due to increased susceptibility to stalk rot
3. Ears maybe small, chaffy, and dull with pointed, poorly developed tips
Notes:
1. Favoured by sandy, organic, wet or compacted, strongly weathered soil and heavy K
removal by the preceding crop(s)
2. Apply basal fertilizer (N,P,K) at the recommended rate (400kg/ha)
Herbicide toxicity
This is a useful guide for those who use animal manure. Many a times we apply blindly.
It means for every 20 tons of eg beef steer manure, one is applying about 146kg of Nitrogen,
96kg of phosphorus and 110kg of potash.
Farmers Guide
Fall armyworm Identification and control
Damage symptoms
Farmers Guide
Early scouting is key
Late control challenges
RECOMMENDED INSECTICIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF FALL ARMYWORM IN ZIMBABWE
ACTIVE INGREDIENT TRADE NAME
Indoxacarb Steward 150EC

Missile 150SC
Devacarb 150SC
Blanket 150SC
Indoxacarb 150SC
Indoxacarb and Acetamiprid Attitude 80SC
Indoxacarb and Acetamiprid Aryna 46EC
Emmamectin Benzoate and Acetamiprid Blast Super
Chlorantraniliprole Coragen 20SC
Chlorantraniliprole and Lambda Cyhalothrin Ampligo 150ZC
Flubendiamide and Thiacloprid Belt Expert
Emmamectin Benzoate and Acetamiprid Super Dash

Nemesis
Flubendiamide Belt 480SC
Deltamethrin and Pirimiphos Methyl Ecoterex 0.5GR

Farmers Guide
SEED CO MAIZE SEED PRODUCTS
Product Product Description
SC 301 An ultra-early, 3 months to maturity, maize hybrid with high yield potential that is comparable to
Heat and drought stress tolerant the SC 403. It confers significant early maturity superiority (<110 days to reach physiological
hybrid. Ultra-earliness confers early maturity at 1300 metres above sea level).
maturity superiority. Excellent heat and drought stress tolerance characteristics making it suitable for areas with
short rainfall seasons such as regions 4 and 5. Excellent wide regional adaptation. An
excellent alternative for small grain cereals such as sorghum and millet. An elastic hybrid, in a
poor season a decent yield is achievable and in a good season the variety has high yield
potential of up to 10 t/ha at 53000 plants per ha. Average plant height of about 2.2m and an
average cob placement of 1.02m aiding excellent standability. Good standability at high
population densities of up to 72 000 plants per Ha.
Moderate tolerance to Maize Streak Virus, Phaeosphaeria Leaf Spot and Grey Leaf
Spot diseases
Hard dent grain texture
White grain colour
Excellent cob rot tolerance
A variety highly recommended for very low to low potential conditions - marginal rainfall
areas of Zimbabwe in particular agro-ecological region IV and V
Suitable for very early or late planting in high potential areas
SC 403 SC 403 is a very early maturing white grained hybrid. Takes 119-127 days to reach
Heat and drought stress tolerant physiological maturity at 1300 metres above sea level. Stable across regions and seasons.
hybrid. Excellent tolerance to Maize
Streak and Mottle Viruses. Wide Heat and drought stress tolerant hybrid with very good synchronization of silks with pollen.
adaptation. Farmers' choice for low rainfall and marginal areas.
Has a yield potential of up to 9 t/Ha. A good sizeable cob and a high shelling out percentage
of up to 80%; are the yield components.
Outstanding tolerance to Maize Streak and Mottle Viruses. Tolerant to other major maize
diseases such as Blights. Moderate tolerance to Grey Leaf Spot. Average stalk height is
2.6m with a cob placement of 1.4m. The average cob placement confers excellent
standability.
Can stand plant population densities of up to 60 000 plants per Ha. Semi-flint grain type
with a medium dry down rate of 1.5% moisture loss per week after physiological maturity.
It is an excellent short season option for green mealie.
It is also recommended for irrigated winter production. An early, Maize Streak Virus tolerant
hybrid is ideal for green mealies.
SC 513 An early maturing white grained maize hybrid. Reaches physiological maturity in 137 days
Ultra-early maturity (<100 days) at 1300 metres above sea level.
and leaf disease tolerant hybrid Pan-African early maturing hybrid that performs across diverse environments. Excellent
drought tolernance.
Elastic maize hybrid, good for both high and low potential environments with yield potential
of up to 10 t/ha. Popular variety with farmers - Farmers' choice. Excellent Grey Leaf Spot
tolerance. Moderately tolerant to Maize Streak Virus.
High shelling percentage
Excellent thick ear with dent grain and a good taste for green mealies.
Good stand ability up to >50 000 plants/ha aided by average cob placement of 1.5 m
against an average plant height of 2.4m.
Good green mealie properties
Recommended for regions 2, 3 and 4.
Farmers Guide
SC 529 Early, adapted high yielding maize hybrid

Early, stable, widely adapted high Reaches physiological maturity in 135 days at 1300 metres above sea level.
yielding hybrid. Top yielder beyond Top yielder in the 500 series category in Zimbabwe and perfoms beyond its maturity
its maturity group.
group under favourable conditions
Out-competes most 600 series hybrids on the market.
Top yielder in this maturity group with high yield potential of up to 13 t/ha. Long
attractive cob (28-30 cm) with semi-flint grain texture and good tip cover
High Shelling percentage of about 80%
Moderate cob rot tolerance
Good Grey Leaf Spot tolerance with moderate Maize Streak Virus tolerance.
Plant height 2.50 m and cob height 1.26 m
Good standability, can with stand population densities of up to 60 000 plants/ha.
Early maturing coupled with medium dry down rate of about 1.8% per week making it
suitable for short crop rotations/double cropping set-ups e.g. maize-wheat rotations
Recommended for Natural regions II, III and IV.
Medium Maturing White Maize Hybrid

SC 633 0HGLXPPDWXULQJZKLWHPDL]HK\EULGGD\VWRUHDFKSK\VLRORJLFDOPDWXULW\
Medium maturing, high yielding maize ([FHOOHQWYDULHW\IRUERWKGU\ODQGDQGLUULJDWHGIDUPLQJV\VWHPV
hybrid (135-148 days to physiological +LJK\LHOGSRWHQWLDOXSWRWKD
maturity)
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choice for short crop rotations eg maize-wheat.
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SC 637 0HGLXPPDWXULQJZKLWHPDL]HK\EULGGD\VWRUHDFKSK\VLRORJLFDOPDWXULW\
Medium maturing, high yielding maize ([FHOOHQWIDUPHUV
FKRLFHYDULHW\IRUKLJKSRWHQWLDODQGLUULJDWHGIDUPLQJZLWK\LHOG
hybrid (135-148 days to physiological potential of up to 16 t/ha
maturity) 0LOGWROHUDQFHWRKHDWDQGGURXJKWVWUHVVWROHUDQFH
*RRGWROHUDQFHWR0DL]H6WUHDNDQG0RWWOH9LUXV
0RGHUDWHWROHUDQFHWR*UH\/HDI6SRW1RUWKHUQ&RUQ/HDI6SRWDQG&RPPRQ5XVW
9HU\JRRGFREURWGLVHDVHWROHUDQFH
6HPLIOLQWJUDLQWH[WXUH0HGLXPGU\GRZQUDWHRIOHVVWKDQSHUZHHN$QRSWLRQIRU
short rotations but need to be established aerly with irrigation
7KUHH\LHOGFRPSRQHQWVKLJKVKHOOLQJRXWKLJKURZQXPEHUXQGHUJRRG
environments) and long cobs (up to 31.5cm and up to 900 kernels per cob)
9HU\JRRGVWDQGDELOLW\DWXSWRSODQWVKD
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but under irrigation.
Farmers Guide

SC 627 0HGLXPPDWXULW\ZKLWHPDL]HK\EULGGD\VWRUHDFKSK\VLRORJLFDOPDWXULW\

Medium maturing, drought and disease :LGHO\DGDSWHGDQGVWDEOHYDULHW\DFURVVGLYHUVHHQYLURQPHQWVZLWK\LHOGSRWHQWLDO
tolerant maize hybrid (135-144 days RIDERYHWKDXQGHUJRRGPDQDJHPHQW5HFRPPHQGHGIRUUHJLRQV,,,,, ,9
to maturity) ([FHOOHQWWROHUDQFHWR*UH\/HDI6SRW
*RRGWROHUDQFHWR0DL]H6WUHDN9LUXVDQG1RUWKHUQ&RUQ/HDI6SRW
3ODQWKHLJKWPDQGFREKHLJKWPDLGLQJ*RRGVWDQGDELOLW\DWGHQVLWLHVRIXSWR
SODQWVKD
6HPLIOLQWJUDLQWH[WXUH$JRRGJUHHQPHDOLHRSWLRQ
+LJKVKHOOLQJSHUFHQWDJHDERYH

SC 649 (New) 0HGLXPPDWXULQJZKLWHPDL]HK\EULGGD\VWRUHDFKSK\VLRORJLFDOPDWXULW\

Medium maturing, high yielding and +LJKHVW\LHOGHULQ=LPEDEZHLQWKHVHULHVPDWXULW\JURXSXSWRWKD
drought tolerant maize hybrid 6HPLGHQWJUDLQWH[WXUH
(135-145 days to maturity)
([FHOOHQWKHDWDQGGURXJKWWROHUDQFH
:LGHDGDSWDELOLW\DQG\LHOGVWDELOLW\DFURVVHQYLURQPHQWV5HFRPPHQGHGIRUQDWXUDO
UHJLRQVDQGLQ=LPEDEZH([FHOOHQWWROHUDQFHWR*UH\/HDI6SRWGLVHDVH
0RGHUDWHWROHUDQFHWR0DL]H6WUHDN9LUXV
$VHFRQGFKRLFHVLODJHFRQWHQGHUDIWHU6&EHFDXVHLWKDVH[FHOOHQW
VWDQGDELOLW\EXONLVKOHDI\DQGDVWD\JUHHQFKDUDFWHUWRDLGJLYHDVLODJHFXWWLQJ
ZLQGRZ
HQYLURQPHQWVDQGORQJFREVXSWRFP3ODQWKHLJKWPDQGFREKHLJKW
P*RRGVWDQGDELOLW\FDQZLWKVWDQGSRSXODWLRQGHQVLW\RIXSWRSODQWVKD
Medium Maturing Yellow Maize Hybrid

SC 608 (Yellow) 0HGLXPPDWXULW\\HOORZPDL]HK\EULG

Medium maturing, high yielding and +LJK\LHOGSRWHQWLDORIXSWRWKD
drought tolerant yellow maize hybrid 5HDFKHVSK\VLRORJLFDOPDWXULW\LQGD\V)DUPHU
VFKRLFHIRUOLYHVWRFNIHHGV
(135-148 days to maturity)
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*RRGKHDWDQGGURXJKWWROHUDQFHDLGLQJZLGHDGDSWDWLRQ
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9HU\JRRGVWDQGDELOLW\
&DQVWDQGSRSXODWLRQGHQVLW\RIXSWRSODQWVSHUKHFWDUH
*RRGIRUJUHHQPHDOLHVDQGVLODJH
Farmers Guide
Late Maturing White Maize Hybrid

SC 719 )DUPHUV
ILUVWFKRLFHLQWKHLUULJDWHGDQGKLJKSRWHQWLDOHQYLURQPHQWV\LHOGVXSWR
Top late maturing, pan African, well adapted W+DXQGHUJRRGPDQDJHPHQW
and high yielding white maize hybrid /DWHPDWXULQJZKLWHPDL]HK\EULGGD\VWRUHDFKSK\VLRORJLFDOPDWXULW\
(148 -155 days to maturity)
7RSSHUIRUPHUDQGDJOREDOK\EULGKDUG\DQGZHOODGDSWHGDFURVVHQYLURQPHQWVDQG
VHDVRQV
+DUGGHQWJUDLQWH[WXUH
*RRG0DL]H6WUHDN9LUXVDQG*UH\OHDI6SRWWROHUDQFH
*RRGFREURWWROHUDQFH
$YHUDJHSODQWKHLJKWRIPZLWKDYHUDJHFRESODFHPHQWDWP
*RRGVWDQGDELOLW\XSWRSODQWVKD
([FHOOHQWWLSFRYHU0HGLXPGU\GRZQUDWHRISHUZHHN
+LJKVKHOOLQJRXWXSWR
)DUPHUV
ILUVWFKRLFHIRUVLODJHEHFDXVHLWKDVH[FHOOHQWVWDQGDELOLW\EXONLVKOHDI\ZLWKD
VWD\JUHHQFKDUDFWHUWRJLYHDVLODJHFXWWLQJZLQGRZ
+DVDJRRGFKDIIJUDLQUDWLRDPHDVXUHRIVLODJHTXDOLW\GXHWRKLJKJUDLQ\LHOGLQJDELOLW\
*RRGIRUJUHHQPHDOLHVSURSHUWLHV±FKDUDFWHULVWLFYHU\ORQJFREVXSWRFPZLWK
XSWRNHUQHOVSHUFRE
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5HFRPPHQGHGIRUQDWXUDOUHJLRQV,,, ,,,

Late Maturing White Maize Hybrid

SC 727 +LJKHVW\LHOGLQJFRQYHQWLRQDOK\EULGLQ$IULFDZLWKVRPHIDUPHUVKLWWLQJWKHW+DLQWKH
Top late maturing, best yielder in Zimbabwe, KLJKSRWHQWLDOLUULJDWHGDUHDV
well adapted and high yielding white maize /DWHPDWXULQJZKLWHPDL]HK\EULGGD\V
hybrid (155-160 days to maturity))
([FHOOHQWKHDWDQGGURXJKWHVFDSHPHFKDQLVPV$QHODVWLFDQGZLGHO\DGDSWHGK\EULGIRU
ERWKGU\ODQGDQGLUULJDWHGIDUPLQJ5HFRPPHQGHGIRUQDWXUDOUHJLRQVDQGLQ
=LPEDEZH
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1RUWKHUQ&RUQ/HDI6SRWDQG&RPPRQ5XVW
&\OLQGULFRFXUYHGHDUZLWKGHQWJUDLQWH[WXUH0HGLXPGU\GRZQUDWHRISHUZHHN
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9HU\ORQJFREFPZLWKXSWRNHUQHOVSHUFREDQGYHU\ZKLWHJUDLQ
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FARMERS GUIDE

03 Basics of productive crop farming 12 Crop protection 50 Strive to be a crop doctor

10 Variety selection 31 Sorghum production

10 Factors which affect varietal choice

10 Soil And Water Conservation Crop protection is concerned with

There are a thousand reasons for low

The Basics of Productive Crop Farming

NB: Soil acidity must be corrected promptly by

Soil conditions that favour crop growth

t'FSUJMJUZ JODMVEJOHUIFTPJMSFBDUJPO JF UIF

for good crop production.

The main factors that reduce

Water Biotic stress

Checklist before applying

Are basic requirements of soil fertility

Which nutrients need not be considered

Which nutrients need not be considered

How important is pH on NPK uptake efficiency?

pH level 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 6.8

greater extent improves livelihoods and

t Liming improves Fertilizer Use Efficiency

Lime reduces availability of toxic

t Liming acid soils improves the environ-

t The sowing depth of a crop depends An important point to remember when

Factors which affect varietal choice:

tlength of the growing season

taltitude and air temperature

tsoil fertility and fertiliser application

Zero-tillage Involves sowing the crop directly into an

Crop protection chemicals may be used to prevent or cure

Therefore, it is important that the farmer:

Harvesting And Harvesting Preparations

Drums/Sacks and trailer:

t the moisture of the grain is too high

t the grain is diseased

t insects multiply in the stored grain

Crop Planning And Budgeting: The Profit Story

Maize Gross Margin Guide/ Ha

Season 2017/18 Plant: Oct '17 Tonnes per ha 10.00

Seed 25 kg SC Variety 3.000 6.58% 75.00

Fertilizer and Lime 400 kg Basal 0.780 27.37% 312.00

Herbicides 3.000 l Atrazine 6.200 1.63% 18.60

Insecticides 0.2 l Lambda 10.000 0.18% 2.00

Labour 15 day Permanent 4.000 5.26% 60.00

Chisel Ploughing, Discing,

Harvesting (Combine) 30 l Hire Charge 3.000 7.89% 90.00

Transport/30ton l Delivered 50Km Radius 210.000 0.00% -

Irrigation (Electricity +ZINWA) 0 mm Pumped from water body - 0.00% -

Total Variable Costs 100.00% 1,140.10

Gross Income @ 7 t/ha 239% 2,730.00

Break even yield at $390/ton price is 3t/ha

Soyabean Gross Margin Guide/ Ha

Gross Margin Guide/Ha 2017/18 Tonnes per Ha 3.50

Seed 100.000 kg SC Serenade, Safari, Status, Sequel1.650 21.05% 165.00

Herbicides 5.000 l Glyphosate 6.500 4.15% 32.50

Insecticides 0.200 l Lambda 9.000 0.46% 3.60

Fungicides 0.500 l Triademnol 15.000 1.91% 15.00

Labour 20.000 day Permanent/Hired 3.000 7.65% 60.00

Combine 14.000 l Hire Charge 7.500 13.40% 105.00

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