THOUSANDS of acres of arable land may soon be covered by plastic sheeting to increase potential yields of maize for feeding animals. This follows recent experiments on a new growing system.
Research by Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority, found that covering maize crops after planting increased grain yields by 2.2 tonnes per acre. Dry matter yields went up by 2.5 tonnes per acre.
The research found maize produced under cover could be harvested three weeks before crops grown without cover or using other plastic cover systems.
The experiments, carried out on crops planted at this time last year, found that as the maize developed it pushed the plastic film off the soil surface, forming a minitunnel or cloche.
Eventually the plastic had to be split mechanically to release the developing maize plants, according to a report by Mr Jim Crowley, who is based at the Teagasc research station at Oak Park, Carlow.
His research found that the optimum plastic removal date was when the plant developed eight leaves, approximately 33 days after sowing. Removal of the plastic either before or after this reduced performance.
The total cover system out performed a system of maize planting developed by the French in 1994.
Maize for fodder has become very popular with Irish farmers.