Good harvest starts with right seeds
Michael Kimani with some of the maize from his farm in Kilimambogo. Kenya comes second after South Africa in adopting new innovations and technologies. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Napier grass can be intercropped with various legume crops and shrubs.
- Intercropping with legumes improves the quality of the fodder and soil fertility.
In Kakamega North, we used to have good yields from H614 maize variety. Why did it vanish from our agrovets? Now, which breed is suitable in the region and please advise me on fertiliser?
ALFAH MUKAH
I agree with you on the good yields from H614. This variety, which was developed more 20 years ago, has been a household name. However, it hasn’t ‘vanished’ since we still package it but the demand is high that is why it runs out fast.
Furthermore, we have developed more superior and high-yielding varieties that produce up to 50 bags per acre like H6213, H6210, H628, H625, H627, and H628, which are suitable for your region.
What is the cost of lucerne seeds per kilo and the quantity required per acre? Lastly, which type of inoculants are good for lucerne?
FARMER
Lucerne costs Sh2,190 per kilo and you will require 6kg per acre. These seeds can be found in all our depots and appointed seed agents and stockists. Unfortunately, Kenya Seed does not have inoculants, but you can get them from appointed MEA fertiliser distributors.
I am a dairy farmer looking to improve the quality of my livestock feeds. I already have about an acre of napier grass and I want to incorporate desmodium. Kindly tell me if it is advisable to do this and where do I buy the seeds. My farm is in Kinoo, Upper Kabete.
ANNE
Napier grass can be intercropped with various legume crops and shrubs. Intercropping with legumes improves the quality of the fodder and soil fertility. And to plant a mixed stand of desmodium and napier grass;
• First establish a clean desmodium seedbed.
• Mix the desmodium with an inoculant, then plant the same with the napier grass spacing well.
• At planting, use DAP fertiliser at a rate of 50kg per acre.
• After germination, the field should be weeded and the napier grass can be planted on the same rows as desmodium but with a 60cm row difference.
I would like to know if Monica F1 tomato variety is determinate or indeterminate. Is it planted open field or in greenhouse?
CHRIS
Monica F1 variety is determinate. It can be planted both in an open field and in a greenhouse due to its good resistance to blight, verticilium wilt and grey leaf spot.
Do you have any questions on seeds, send them to [email protected], [email protected] or to Mathew on 0722614639/0739722222 or email: [email protected] mail.com
