5.1     Weeding
	- Remove unwanted plants – this is very important to reduce the competition for nutrients, and needs to be removed as soon as they appear as practically as possible
 
	- Effective weeding is done under dry, sunny conditions to avoid re-growth.
 
	- Hand weeding is very effective especially in light weeding and very wet conditions.
 
	- In maize weeding can be done 2 to 3 times. Use of chemicals can also help to kill the weeds such us roundup and bullet
 
5.2     Banking
	- This is an operation which aims at rebuilding the crop ridge to avoid loss of nutrients and exposure of plant roots to the outside environment.
 
	- Should be done soon after top-dressing the maize crop.
 
	- Banking in very wet condition should be discouraged as it results in cementing the soil creating insufficient aeration.
 
	- In termite prone areas, banking should be done before the plant reaches knee high and soils should not be put close to the base of the plant.
 
5.3     Fertilizer Application
	- Maize is a heavy feeder in as far as nutrients uptake is concerned. For normal growth and high yields it needs; Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium
 
	- Inorganic fertilizers include CAN, 23;21;0 +4S, UREA
 
	- organic fertilizer include farm yard manure, khola manure, compost manure and green manure
 
	- Phosphorus is normally required soon after germination (approximately within a week after germination) to assist in root development. Nitrogen is particularly important for plant growth and grain formation.
 
5.4.1. Methods of fertilizer application
	- Dollop method is recommended for fertilizer application in Maize
 
5.4.2. Types of fertilizers
	- Apply basal dressing fertilizer during planting or within seven days after germination. The most common basal dressing Fertilizer for maize is 23:21:0+4S. However, refer to your Agricultural advisors for fertilizers recommended to your area.
 
	- Top dress within the first three weeks from day of germination. Top dressing can be done with UREA and CAN.
 
5.4.3. Fertiliser Rate
	
		
			| Fertilizer type   | 
			
			 Hybrid variety 
			 (Kg/ha)  
			 | 
			
			 Composite variety 
			 (Kg/ha)  
			 | 
			
			 Local variety 
			 (Kg/ha)  
			 | 
		
		
			| 23: 21: 0 + 4S  | 
			200 | 
			100 | 
			100 | 
		
		
			| Urea  | 
			175 | 
			150 | 
			75 | 
		
		
			| CAN | 
			200 | 
			200 | 
			150 | 
		
		
			| S/A  | 
			200 | 
			200 | 
			150 |