Table of Contents
Introduction
Zamseed is one of the leading maize seed suppliers in Zambia. Ensuring a bumper harvest starts with choosing the right maize seed to plant.
In this post, you will learn about all the available Zamseed maize varieties in Zambia and you will be able to choose the best maize varieties for your needs.
Top Zamseed Maize Varieties
ZMS 301 – The Climate Change Game-Changer
The ZMS 301 is Zamseed’s response to providing a Maize variety that is tolerant to droughts, as recently experienced in Zambia. Below are the features/characteristics of this maize variety:
- Semi flint white grain
- Days to Maturity 75
- An exceptionally good drought-tolerant variety
- Very suitable for green maize
- Yield potential 120 – 140 x 50kg bags per Hactre ( 6 – 7 Mt / Ha)
The ZMS 301 is an early maturity crop, and has a short plant height.
ZMS 405
The ZMS 405 is a hybrid early maturity mainze variety with a potential yield of 140 -160 x 50kg bags per Hactre ( 7-8 Mt / Ha). It is widely adaptable with good drought tolerance and can be grown across all three agro ecological zones in the country.
Here are the Zamseed 405 features/characteristics:
- Flint white grain
- High-yielding early maturity
- Full husk cover
- Days to maturity 100 -105
- Yield potential 140 -160 x 50kg bags per Hactre ( 7-8 Mt / Ha)
ZMS 520
Now this Zamseed maize variety has a great yield potential of about 180 – 200 x 50kg bags per Hactre ( 9 -10 Mt / Ha). It is an early to medium hybrid with high yield potentia.
Here are it’s characteristics
- Dent white grain
- Full husk cover
- Days to maturity 120 -125
- Yield potential 180 – 200 x 50kg bags per Hactre ( 9 -10 Mt / Ha)
ZMS 606
The ZMS 606 is the most popular Zamseed maize variety in Zambia. It is a medium maturity hybrid with excellent standability. One of the reasons wh ZMS 606 is popular is because of its yield stability.
The ZMS 606 maize variety seed is characterized by:
- Semi flint white grain
- Full husk cover
- Double cobbing
- Days to maturity 125 – 130
- Good storability
- Yield potential 160 – 180 x 50kg bags per Hactre ( 8-9 Mt / Ha)
Choosing the Right Variety for Your Farm
Now that you’ve had a glimps of Zamseed maize varieties, the next step is to choose the right maize variety.
The following are the factors to consider:
Climate Considerations
Climate is the most obvious factor to consider. With unstable rainfall patterns in Zambia, it is important to go for seed varieties that are highly resistant to droughts. A good example of a drought tolerance maize variety is the ZMS 405.
Soil Fertility and Preparation
Always ensure your soils are fertile enough so as to guarantee is good seed yield. If your soils are not fertile, you can apply manure composit or a bassal fertilizer such as D-Compound to the soils before planting your maize.
Best Practices for Planting Zamseed Maize
Planting Depth and Spacing
The recommended planting space is 30cm from each other and 75cm between ajacent lines. The spacing ensures the crops grow without intertwining with other neighouring cobs.
Fertilization and Watering Tips
Ensure you plant with D compound fertilizer by first digginf a hole, add a pea-size of fertilizer then burry it with a little soil and finally add your seed and close the hole entirely.
After 30 days from planting, you should apply a top-dressing fertilizer like Urea.
Common Pests and Diseases Affecting Zamseed Maize
These pests and diseases are not only common to Zamseed maize, but to most maize seed from other suppliers. The common pests you should really look out for are armyworms
To get rid of armworms eating on your mainze crops, spraying insectcides such as Snow Beast usually sorts the problems instantly. Make sure you are vigilant enough to inspect your maize crops for possile infestation.
Always ensure you settle for disease-resistant Zamseed maize varieties such as ZMS 301.
PS: The Best Double Cobbing Maize Varieties in Zambia
Conclusion
We have covered Zamseed maize varieties in Zambia. We have also discussed farming guides to help you with the highest yield possible. We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Let us know what you think by sharing your thoughts in the comment section