Curriculum (PDF) - Biovision

Week 6
Topic Duration What you need for this
lesson
1 1 st weeding, thinning and top dressing of maize 1 hour 30
minutes
2 1 st weeding and top dressing of Napier grass in both push-pull
plots
1 hour
3 Desmodium weeding and trimming (established Push-pull crop) 30 minutes
4 1 st weeding desmodium in the vine-established Push-pull plot 30 minutes
5 Weeding and rouging (removing off-types) on the desmodium
seed multiplication plot
Topic 1: 1 st weeding, thinning
and top dressing of maize
Follow instructions in Season 1, Week 5
Topdress after the dew has dried from the
leaves; fertilizer falling on the leaves burns
them.
Topic 2: 1 st weeding and top
dressing Napier grass in both
Push-pull plots
Follow the instructions for the lesson in
First Season 1, Week 5
Topdress after the dew has dried from the
leaves. This way, if any fertilizer falls on the
leaves, it will not burn the plant.
Topic 3: Weeding and
trimming desmodium
(established Push-pull crop)
Introduction
If you managed your desmodium well in
the first season, it is now well established.
If let alone it can grow faster than your
maize. You must trim it so that it does not
compete with your maize for soil nutrients
and light. If you delay in trimming, it can
suppress the growth of maize and so reduce
the yields from your plot.
After you have trimmed the desmodium,
30 minutes
Jembe, hoe, Sharp
stick., CAN fertiliser,
teaspoon/soda bottle top
you must also weed it otherwise weeds will
compete for nutrients and light.
If managed properly the desmodium will
last for more than five years.
Refer to Season 1, Weeks 5 and 7.
Topic 4: 1 st weeding
desmodium in the vineestablished
Push-pull plot
Introduction
The desmodium plot you established using
vines is now ready for weeding. The vines
grow faster than seedlings. However, some
weeds still grow within the vines and they
must be removed.
Step 1: Walk between the rows of desmodium
vines. Using a sharp stick loosen the soils
around the weeds and carefully remove the
weeds by hand.
Note
Do not weed if the soil is dry as this can destroy
the desmodium roots and kill the plant.
Push-pull curriculum | 125