Maize:Top dressing the right way

When your maize reaches knee height, it’s not just showing off how tall it has grown,it’s asking for food. This is the perfect time to top dress. At this stage, your maize is actively building its leaves and getting ready to form cobs. This means the plant is very hungry for nutrients, especially nitrogen and calcium, which play a vital role in ensuring a strong, healthy and productive crop.

Understanding what top dressing really means

Top dressing is the process of adding fertilizer to crops after they have already been planted and have started growing. For maize, this stage comes when the plants are about six to eight weeks old  typically when they reach knee height. At this point, the crop has established roots and shoots, but it now requires extra nutrients to support vigorous vegetative growth and cob formation.

The nutrients you apply during top dressing directly influence your maize’s color, size and yield potential. If done correctly, the plants will grow tall and green, with strong stalks capable of supporting heavy cobs. However, if neglected, the leaves may begin to yellow, growth will slow and yields will significantly drop.

Why Nitrogen and Calcium are key players

When it comes to maize, nitrogen is like fuel. It powers leaf development and photosynthesis, the process that allows the plant to make its own food. A maize plant without sufficient nitrogen looks pale, weak and stunted. You’ll notice yellowing on the lower leaves, which is a clear sign the plant is starving. Supplying nitrogen through top dressing ensures your maize stays lush, green and energetic enough to produce healthy cobs.

Calcium, on the other hand, is often overlooked but equally important. It strengthens plant cells and aids in cob formation. A maize plant lacking calcium might struggle to develop proper grain and could even have poor root growth. Applying a fertilizer that contains both nitrogen and calcium, such as CAN (Calcium Ammonium Nitrate), gives your maize a balanced nutrient boost. It’s like giving your plant both energy and structural support at the same time.

When and how to top dress

Timing is everything in farming and top dressing maize is no exception. The ideal moment to apply top dressing is when your maize reaches knee height usually four to six weeks after germination. Waiting too long could reduce the effectiveness of the fertilizer since the maize will already have passed its rapid growth phase.

To apply the fertilizer effectively, spread it evenly around the base of the plant  not directly on the stem or leaves. The best time to do this is early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cool and the soil is moist. Avoid top dressing during dry, hot days because the fertilizer can burn the leaves or evaporate before the plant absorbs it.

If possible, apply top dressing fertilizer just before a light rainfall or lightly cover it with soil afterward. This helps the nutrients soak into the ground and reach the roots quickly. Remember, fertilizer sitting on dry soil is as good as food sitting on an empty plate, it’s there, but your maize can’t access it.

Choosing the right fertilizer

For top dressing maize, Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) remains the most recommended fertilizer. It contains both nitrogen (about 26%) and calcium, making it ideal for promoting green, healthy growth and strong cob formation. In some areas, farmers also use Urea, which has a higher nitrogen content (about 46%). However, urea should be handled carefully, it’s more prone to losses through evaporation, especially in dry conditions.

If you choose urea, make sure you apply it just before rain or lightly incorporate it into the soil to reduce losses. On the other hand, CAN is more stable, easier to use and safer for your crop in a variety of soil types.

Smart Farming: Feeding your maize for maximum yields

Farming is not just about planting and sitting back, hoping for rain and miracles. Even faith works better with a little effort. Smart farmers understand that top dressing is not an option but a necessity. When you feed your maize well, you’re setting the foundation for a good harvest.

Think of your maize as a growing child. You wouldn’t expect a child to thrive on one meal a day and prayers alone  you’d feed them regularly and make sure they get a balanced diet. The same applies to your crop. Nitrogen gives your maize the energy to grow, while calcium keeps it healthy and productive.

After top dressing, continue monitoring your field. Look for uniform color, strong stems and vigorous growth. Keep weeds in check and ensure proper moisture levels. With good management, your maize will reward you with full, healthy cobs come harvest time.

Top dressing your maize the right way is one of the simplest yet most powerful steps to achieving high yields. When your maize reaches knee height, it’s sending you a clear message: feed me. By responding with the right fertilizer  preferably CAN  at the right time and under the right conditions, you’ll be ensuring your crop stays green, healthy and productive.

Smart farmers don’t just hope for a good harvest, they make it happen. Feed your maize well, take care of your soil and then let nature and faith do the rest. That’s the secret to abundant harvests and sustainable farming success.

Author: Moureen Koech

Moureen Koech is a passionate Digital Journalist, an adept Agribusiness Writer with a keen eye for news and an impactful story-teller,whose stories provide key value to Agripreneurs and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector