Introduction Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the world and serves as a source of food and income for many communities around the globe. In the developing world, maize is a staple caloric source accounting for as much as 50% of that consumed in some African countries (FAO, 2011). Current annual global maize production is estimated to be about 883 million MT of which roughly 180 million MT (20 % of world production) is produced in Latin America and Africa (FAO, 2011). Ray et al. (2013) argued that the production level in developing nations where maize is so important, needs to be doubled in order to meet the rising population demand by 2050. However, the development of soil fertility and improved production techniques have fallen behind in many of these countries, resulting in average yields as low as 1.8 Mg ha-1 (FAO, 2011). Adoption of more efficient production practices are needed to overcome the low productivity commonplace in developing nations (Du Plessis, 2003). In some developing countries, an increased focus on higher yielding varieties has come at the expense of improved agronomic practices. Bekele et al. (2011) noted that using high yielding varieties will not necessarily increase maize yields, unless complemented with the agronomic practices that are also needed. In addition, Heisey and Mwangi (1996) noted that yield increases rather than area expansion will become progressively more important for increasing crop production as agricultural land is becoming scarce in Sub-Saharan Africa. In developed countries, maize is planted using mechanized planters that deliver single seeds at equal depths and spacing resulting in homogenous plant stands and increased yields. Alternatively, production practices currently used for maize planting in developing countries are
Introduction Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the world and serves as a source of food and income for many communities around the globe. In the developing world, maize is a staple caloric source accounting for as much as 50% of that consumed in some African countries (FAO, 2011). Current annual global maize production is estimated to be about 883 million MT of which roughly 180 million MT (20 % of world production) is produced in Latin America and Africa (FAO, 2011). Ray et al. (2013) argued that the production level in developing nations where maize is so important, needs to be doubled in order to meet the rising population demand by 2050. However, the development of soil fertility and improved production techniques have fallen behind in many of these countries, resulting in average yields as low as 1.8 Mg ha-1 (FAO, 2011). Adoption of more efficient production practices are needed to overcome the low productivity commonplace in developing nations (Du Plessis, 2003). In some developing countries, an increased focus on higher yielding varieties has come at the expense of improved agronomic practices. Bekele et al. (2011) noted that using high yielding varieties will not necessarily increase maize yields, unless complemented with the agronomic practices that are also needed. In addition, Heisey and Mwangi (1996) noted that yield increases rather than area expansion will become progressively more important for increasing crop production as agricultural land is becoming scarce in Sub-Saharan Africa. In developed countries, maize is planted using mechanized planters that deliver single seeds at equal depths and spacing resulting in homogenous plant stands and increased yields. Alternatively, production practices currently used for maize planting in developing countries are
Hand%20Planter%20Final%202014.docx