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Video: Tackle trap crops on maize land now
We are approaching the end of March and in just over three weeks the first maize in the Netherlands will probably be sown again. Time to get started on the land! Roughage specialist Antoon Verhoeven gives practical tips for a good approach to the catch crop and fertilization.
A catch crop serves to absorb nutrients that have not been used by the maize and make them available for the next crop. To take full advantage of this subsequent delivery, it is important to work in the catch crop at the right time. Maize takes up nitrogen from germination until the second half of July. The catch crop needs about two months to digest, so it must be incorporated by the end of March at the latest.
Limit dehydration
Any tillage causes the soil to dry out. We advise growers who want to retain as much moisture as possible to work as shallow as possible. Make sure that the catch crop is well mixed with the top layer, so that the mineralization gets started.
Fertilization plan
A good nutrient supply is necessary for successful maize cultivation. At a dry matter yield of 19 tons per hectare, approximately 212 kg N is needed. Make a fertilization plan for your fields so that you feed the crop sufficiently and use your manure optimally:
- What does the soil provide and is the pH right?
- Plus the N subsequent delivery of the catch crop, calculate with 10 kg N per 10 cm of catch crop.
- Plus the animal manure, what levels does it contain and how much can you bring.
- This leaves a possible additional fertilization with fertilizer in the row or full fields.
