1. The first requirement in the production of any crop is to see that soil conditions are as close to the optimum as possible. Barley prefers well-drained soils, light to medium in texture with a high pH

MAIZE
Types of Maize. Several thousand varieties of maize are now grown throughout the world and most of these can be allocated to one of the seven most important groups: dent maize, pod maize.



Soil Requirements. Successful maize cultivation is more frequently and more easily achieved on soils which are of medium texture. As the soils become lighter the greater is the chanced of their “drying out” in midsummer and although there is really nothing else against them, the very light sandy soils should be avoided.
Having suggested light to medium textured soils for maize, is must also be stressed that organic status and fertility should be high.
The maize land should be free draining in order that as much of the heat as possible is employed in raising soil temperatures and not removing excess of soil moisture. The soil should be naturally free draining to enable a full rooting system to develop in a plentiful supply of oxygen.
Maximum yields are believed to be obtained between pH 4 and 9. Some scientists believe maize to be successfully cultivated on the moderately acid soils (pH 6-7 as optimal). Others say that maize growing can be successful under alkaline conditions provided there are no serious deficiencies the micro-nutrients.