It is important to find the balance between input costs and profit when you are deciding to plant under irrigation. The focus is on the important management decisions surrounding the planting of commercial maize. Every decision must be well thought out and calculated.
Climate conditions can determine the success of a crop. The type of crop rotation system, the soil’s physical and chemical condition, geographical location in terms of the production and marketing, the planting date and timing, planting depth, population, row width, as well as the practical implementation with the implements available, can influence the harvest. The management of insects and plant diseases is also important.
Direct objectives with planting are:
- Establishment of a uniform plant population: This is achieved with good germination and seedling growth to achieve an equal and uniform emergence of seedlings for a homogeneous plant stand. This forms the basis of good production. Numerous factors such as the moisture in the soil, temperature, planting depth, implement accuracy, diseases, insects as well as seed quality determine success. After seedling emergence, interplant competition determines the yield and seedling growth plays no further role.
- Maximum light interception: Especially under irrigation with relatively narrow row widths, the hinderance of light is of crucial importance. Each maize plant can be considered a small starch factory that fills maize kernels with starch by means of sunlight energy. For the photosynthesis process to function optimally, as much solar saturation as possible is required. This emphasises the importance of an even distribution of plants across the soil surface. An even and uniform canopy will not let sun be lost on the ground unnecessarily and will use all possible sun rays to drive the production process even early in the vegetative phase.
- Management of daylight availability during the growing season: The planting date influences the length of the day in maize cultivation, and especially has an impact on the heat available. This is linked to cultivar selection and determines when the maize will flower. In a carefully planned crop rotation system, the aim is always to avoid high temperatures and drought conditions during the critical flowering phase. Under irrigation and with the flexibility provided by Pioneer genetics, these goals are achievable.
- Cultivar choice is therefore one of the most important decisions that role players can make while managing irrigated maize. Against this backdrop comes the introduction to the new Pioneer white maize irrigation cultivar, P14197WPW. This product is equipped with PowerCore™ technology. This means Roundup may form part of weed control, and protection against worm damage is offered.
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Figure 1: P14197WPW set to nul in terms of kg/ha-difference regarding other cultivars.
- The black line in Figure 1 above represents P14197WPW set to zero in terms of kg/ha difference with respect to other cultivars.
- The Impact data in the Northern Cape irrigated area shows that P14197WPW performs excellently against all competing cultivars in terms of growth length.
- It shows excellent genetic progress as well as appropriate technology to effectively prevent worm damage.
Seedling growth is acceptable. The result is the uniform emergence of seedlings which is the best approach to a good yield. Standability is excellent.
Plants are approximately 2,43 m long with cobs borne at 52% of the plant length. With cobs carried 1,23 m high, the product is easy to harvest.
Cob diameter (52,4 mm) as well as cob length (153,4 mm) are acceptable. Under irrigation, multiple cobs play no role. The bushel mass and constancy of the cob formation and grain filling are decisive in terms of yield.