- Drill, not broadcast, keeping the under sown grass 15cm away from the maize rows to avoid competition and allow light absorption
- Pendimethalin is safe to use pre-emergence
- Mestrione mixes are safe to use post-emergence
- Sacrifice undersown grass if barnyard grass becomes a weed problem
Corn Borer
For effective control of the corn borer pest the maize stubble must be intensively shredding / flail topping after harvest. This will also encourage tillering of the undersown grasses increasing sward density and production.
Key Points to Grass, Legumes & Herb Establishment
- Correct soil pH of grass and clover is 6.0 which also increases bacterial and worm activity
- P & K indexes of 2 are essential for strong grass and clover growth
- Compaction inhibits root growth and grass yield. Rectify at establishment
- Control any problem weeds. Effective prevention of weed invasion is better than cure especially when herbs included
- Weed grasses can dominate reseeds if not effectively desiccated before planting
- Take measures to control possible pest attacks. Consider a break crop. This is particularly important when planting continuous grass
- Ensure a fine firm seed bed is achieved. Firmness guarantees contact between sown seed and moisture which equals germination
- Sow at a depth up-to 10mm, any deeper and germination is severally reduced
- Roll and roll again to provide soil to moisture contact and germination
- Consider a seed bed fertiliser. A general recommendation for P & K indexes 2 would be 60N, 75P and 60K (kg/ha)
- Keep an eye out for slugs especially in wet seasons. Every three weeks eggs can hatch, in warm conditions this could be every ten days
- Graze down to 3 to 6 cm at intervals during early establishment phase
- Use slug bait when required to improve establishment
- The residual effect of some herbicides may have a severely detrimental effect on the broad leaved species establishment i.e Herbs, Legumes & Flowers.
