Fall Armyworm in NZ Maize: Four Years of Research
Four years since it was first detected in New Zealand, researchers and growers now know much more about management of maize pest fall armyworm (FAW).
Advances in maize planter technologies now make it potentially possible to successfully plant maize directly into a living or recently terminated cover crop, FAR’s senior maize researcher David Densley says.
“You need to have a fitfor- purpose maize planter to plant green successfully and ensure uniform seeding depth and seed spacing is achieved.
“We will test the planter to its limits, particularly with the bigger biomass crop, and generate a conversation.”
Some equipment on the maize planter being demonstrated on February 14 at FAR’s Northern Crop Research Site at Tamahere near Hamilton, is commercially available but not widely used by contractors.
As the demonstration is out-of-season, the green crops being used are not typical, Densley says. Maize will be planted into forage sorghum with a higher biomass, a smaller sorghum crop and plantain.
“The reason a small but increasing number of farmers are trying this is to maximise living root days. This can increase soil organic matter, reduce the risk of soil nitrogen loss because of fewer days with bare soil and lower soil evaporation rates by shading the soil. The shaded soil can also reduce maize herbicide inputs. Mother Nature doesn’t intend for soil to be sitting idle.”
When planting green, a roller crimper may be used on the cover crop or it may be left standing. Planting directly into a green crop using no-till contrasts with the conventional practice of cultivating before planting maize.
The field day is also a chance to hear visiting maize expert, University of Illinois Professor of Crop Physiology, Fred Below, who is keynote speaker. Below is one of the researchers and authors responsible for the “seven wonders of the maize yield world”, the top seven list of management factors that each year can have a positive impact on maize yield.
The considerable gap between the average yield produced by most growers and record yields shows the opportunity to increase maize yield through enhanced crop management, he says.
Densley says the opportunity to come and listen to Below “is probably once in a lifetime”.
Below has two presentations on the day; the morning keynote address is on emerging trends in maize production in the United States and the last presentation on the day will discuss the latest maize research findings and why this will likely have an influence on maize production practices in the future.
Densley says that with increasing fertiliser costs and environmental requirements, it’s an opportune time to hear the latest research results.
Other speakers include FAR researcher Dirk Wallace on nitrogen use efficiency in maize, AgResearch scientist Trevor James on cover crops for weed management, Densley on precision agriculture for maize productivity and quality and FAR’s technology manager Chris Smith on sensor technology. FAR’s Abie Horrocks will discuss long-term crop establishment.
Field Day Details
The Premier Maize Field Day will be held at FAR’s Northern Crop Research Site (NCRS), 82 Oaklea Lane, Tamahere near Hamilton on Tuesday February 14, starting at 10am.
Professor Fred Below will also attend an afternoon field day starting at 1pm at the property of Colin Jackson, 448 Te Mawhai Rd, Tokanui, Te Awamutu.
