Maize potential to mop up nutrients from effluent tested
Updated at 1:39pm on 16 February 2010
The environmental benefits of growing maize was being discussed at the Maize 2010 field event at Tamahere, near Hamilton on Tuesday.
The annual field day, held by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), allows maize growers the opportunity to see the latest developments in research.
FAR maize project manager Mike Parker says the crop is able to mop up nitrates and potassium at depth, because the plant is deep-rooted.
He says it allows growers to save money on using fertilisers. Researchers are working on determining how much nutrient can be released from organic sources such as dairy shed effluent, pig manure and poultry manure.
Mike Parker says weed control, soil management and crop sensors will also be on the programme at the field day.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand
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