Give two reasons why it is recommended to grow maize immediately after millet? (2) What farming practices helps to break life cycle of pests?

1. Maize and millet have different nutrient requirements, so growing maize immediately after millet allows for a more balanced use of soil nutrients and prevents depletion of specific nutrients.

2. Millet is a low-demand crop that leaves minimal residue, making it easier to prepare the field for planting maize without the need for extensive soil preparation.

Farming practices that help break the life cycle of pests include crop rotation, intercropping, and using resistant crop varieties. These practices disrupt the habitat and food sources of pests, making it more difficult for them to establish and reproduce in the area. Additionally, practicing good sanitation, such as removing crop residues and weeds, can help reduce pest populations and prevent infestations.

Reasons for Growing Maize after Millet:

1. Nutrient Replenishment: Millet is a nutrient-intensive crop that depletes the soil of nitrogen and other essential nutrients. Planting maize, which is a nitrogen-fixing crop, helps replenish these nutrients and improve soil fertility.
2. Disease and Pest Control: Millet is often susceptible to diseases and pests that can carry over to subsequent crops. Growing maize, which is less susceptible to these issues, helps break the disease and pest cycle.

Farming Practices that Break Pest Life Cycle:

1. Crop Rotation: Alternating different crops in the same field over several years disrupts the life cycle of pests and reduces their populations.
2. Residue Management: Removing crop residues or incorporating them into the soil can eliminate breeding sites for pests and expose them to predators and pathogens.