Maize cultivation

• Common name- Corn
• Botanic name- Zea mays
• Origin- Southern Mexico, Central America

Introduction:

• Maize is a cereal grain also known as queen of cereals.

• Maize possesses highest genetic yield potential among the cereals.

• It is one of the world’s most important food crop.

• Maize is a cross pollinated crop.

• Maize is typically yellow in color due to presence of cryptoxanthin. Maize is also available in different colors like red, orange, purple blue white and black.

• India produces 5.4% of maize in the world.

Nutritive Value:

• Maize contains protein in range of 10-15%, depending on the variety.

• Corn contains a sufficient quantity of fiber. We can obtain 16 gram of fiber form common bag of cinema popcorn.

• Enough quantity of ubiquinone, Vitamin E and phytosterols are available in maize.

Climate:

• Maize is suitable for humid and warm weather, as it is a tropical plant.

• In the world maize is cultivated in different climatic situations.

• Maize requires 21^°C of temperature for germination.

• 500-750 mm of rainfall is quite appropriate for its ideal growth.

Season:

Maize is grown in all three seasons in India.

However, best result of cultivation can be seen in Rabi and spring season.

Soil:

• pH range- 5.5 to 7.5

• Heavy soil should be avoided.

• Proper drainage is mandatory.

• Prevention from salinity and water logging is must.

Fertilizers and Manure:

Fertilizers provide balanced nutrients to soil for better productivity. Maize requires following fertilizers:

• Nitrogen- 100-120Kg/ha

• Phosphorus- 60Kg/ha

• Potassium oxide- 40Kg/ha

Application of 1/3^rd of the Nitrogen and Phosphorus is required to be done before sowing.

Land preparation:

• Fine tilth field is required for the cultivation of maize.

• Ploughed to a depth of 25-30cm with the application of mould board.

• Before completing last harrowing, 10-15 tons of FYM or compose would be enough to enhance the productivity.

Seed rates:

Seed rates can differ depending on their varieties.

• Grain- 20Kg/ha

• Sweet corn- 8Kg/ha

• Baby corn- 25Kg/ha

• Popcorn- 12Kg/ha

• Green cob- 20Kg/ha

• Fodder- 50Kg/ha

Plant spacing:                                                                               

Generally adopted spacing is 60×20

Yield:

• Yield- 10 to 20 quintal per hectare.

• Up to 40 quintal per hectare can be obtained with hybrids.

Variety:

Harvesting:

• The right time harvesting is when sheath turns brownish, grains become hard with less than 20% moisture.

• After harvesting crop should be piled up for 24 hours and then sun dried for 5 to 6 days to reduce the moisture to 10% to 12%. 

Irrigation:

• The crucial stages of irrigation is silking and tasseling.

• Water storage would reduce 20% of yield.

• 500-600mm water is required for irrigation.

• Light soil requires 10 irrigations while clay loam soil requires 8 irrigations.