Starter Scouting Checklist for Maize Fields

Why scout weekly?

Waiting until you see major damage is too late. Pests and diseases spread fast in maize. A quick weekly check lets you catch problems early, spray only when needed, and save money on inputs.

When to scout

• Early morning or late afternoon (avoid midday heat)
• At least once per week from germination to harvest
• After heavy rain or wind (these can bring new pests)

How to scout

1. Walk in a zigzag or W pattern across the field (don't just check the edges)
2. Stop at 10-15 random spots
3. Check 5 plants per spot (top, middle, and bottom leaves, plus the stem)
4. Look, feel, and note what you see

What to check for

1. Fall Armyworm (FAW)

Look for:

• Small holes in leaves (feeding damage)
• Sawdust-like droppings (frass) in the whorl
• Worms inside the whorl or on leaves (green, brown, or black with stripes)

Action: If you find 2+ plants per spot with FAW, spray insecticide (e.g., emamectin benzoate or chlorpyrifos). Target the whorl.

2. Stem Borers

Look for:

• Small entry holes in the stem
• Dead heart (central leaves die while outer leaves are green)
• Sawdust near the base of the plant

Action: If you see 10% of plants affected, spray early. Once borers are inside the stem, spraying doesn't help much.

3. Leaf Diseases (Blight, Rust, Streak)

Look for:

• Yellow or brown spots on leaves
• Rust-colored powder on leaves (maize rust)
• White streaks running along veins (maize streak virus)

Action: For fungal diseases (blight, rust), spray fungicide if 20%+ of plants show symptoms. For virus (streak), remove affected plants and control leafhoppers (the vector).

4. Aphids and Leafhoppers

Look for:

• Clusters of small green or black insects on underside of leaves
• Sticky residue (honeydew) on leaves
• Curling or yellowing leaves

Action: If aphids cover more than 30% of plants, spray insecticide (e.g., imidacloprid or lambda-cyhalothrin).

5. Nutrient Deficiency Signs

Look for:

• Yellow lower leaves (nitrogen deficiency)
• Purple tint on leaves (phosphorus deficiency)
• Brown leaf edges (potassium deficiency)

Action: Apply the missing nutrient (urea for N, DAP for P, MOP for K). See the "Turning Lab Results Into Field Actions" guide for details.

6. Water Stress

Look for:

• Leaves curling or wilting (especially in afternoon)
• Plants shorter than expected for their age
• Cracked soil

Action: Irrigate if possible. If no irrigation, consider adjusting planting dates next season to match rain patterns.

How to record what you find

Write down or log in the Torade app:

• Date of scouting
• Field name or section
• What you saw (pest type, disease, or stress)
• How many plants affected (rough percentage)
• Action taken (sprayed, fertilized, irrigated, or just monitoring)

Over time, this record helps you spot patterns and improve next season's plan.

Quick scouting checklist

• ✓ Walk zigzag pattern, check 10-15 spots
• ✓ Look for fall armyworm (holes, frass, worms)
• ✓ Check stems for borers (holes, dead heart)
• ✓ Inspect leaves for disease (spots, rust, streaks)
• ✓ Look for aphids or leafhoppers on undersides
• ✓ Note nutrient deficiency signs (yellow, purple, brown edges)
• ✓ Check for water stress (wilting, curling)
• ✓ Log findings and actions taken

Next steps

Use this checklist every week. As you get familiar with your field, you'll spot problems faster. Log your findings in Torade to track trends and share with your co-op if needed.