1. Origin:
Maize (Zea mays L.) is believed to have originated in Central America, particularly in southern Mexico, approximately 7,000 years ago. It is one of the oldest cultivated crops and has played a fundamental role in the diet and culture of various ancient civilizations. Over centuries, maize spread globally, becoming a staple food and a vital crop for both human and livestock consumption.
2. Geographical Distribution in India:
In India, maize is cultivated extensively across various agro-climatic zones. The principal maize-growing states include Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. It is grown in all three seasons—kharif, rabi, and spring—making it a versatile crop. Kharif maize is predominantly rainfed, while rabi and spring maize rely on irrigation. Northern and eastern regions have also witnessed increased cultivation due to enhanced irrigation facilities and improved varieties.
3. Economic Importance:
Maize is the third most essential cereal crop in India after rice and wheat. It serves multiple roles in the Indian economy and agriculture sector:
- Human consumption: Grains are consumed directly or processed into flour, flakes, cornmeal, and snacks.
- Animal feed: It is a key ingredient in poultry and cattle feed.
- Industrial use: Maize is used in producing starch, glucose, ethanol, alcohol, and biofuels.
- Fodder: Green maize is used as nutritious fodder for livestock.
4. Soil and Climatic Requirements:
Soil: Maize thrives best in well-drained, fertile loamy or alluvial soils with a pH of 5.5–7.5. Heavy clay or saline-alkaline soils are unsuitable.
Climate: Being a warm-season crop, maize requires temperatures between 21–27°C. It is sensitive to frost and waterlogging.
Rainfall: It needs 500–800 mm of well-distributed rainfall during the growing period. Adequate moisture is critical during flowering and grain filling.
5. Land Preparation:
Proper land preparation ensures better seedbed conditions and soil aeration:
- Deep ploughing followed by 2–3 harrowings to achieve fine tilth.
- Incorporation of 10–15 tons/ha of well-decomposed FYM or compost during final land preparation.
- Land should be leveled and ridges or furrows may be formed depending on irrigation facility.
6. Varieties Developed in India:
Hybrid Varieties: HM 4, HM 8, HM 10, HQPM 1, HQPM 5 (Quality Protein Maize)
Composite Varieties: Shakti, Vijay, Vikram, Kisan, Navjot
Specialty Corn: Baby corn (HM-4), Sweet corn (Madhuri), Popcorn (VL Amber Popcorn)
7. Seed Requirement:
Hybrids: 18–20 kg/ha
Composites: 20–25 kg/ha
Seeds should be treated with fungicide like Captan or Thiram @ 2 g/kg of seed before sowing.
8. Sowing Time:
- Kharif: June–July (onset of monsoon)
- Rabi: October–November (with irrigation)
- Spring: January–February (mainly in northern plains)
9. Cropping Systems:
Maize fits well in multiple cropping systems due to its adaptability:
- Intercropping: With legumes like cowpea, soybean, and pigeon pea
- Sequential cropping: Maize–Wheat, Maize–Mustard, Maize–Vegetable crops
10. Fertilizer Requirements:
Balanced nutrient application is essential for high yields:
- Recommended dose: 150:75:40 kg N:P:K/ha
- Apply full P and K and 1/3rd N at sowing; remaining N in two splits at knee-high and tasseling stages.
- Use of biofertilizers like Azospirillum and PSB enhances nutrient availability.
11. Water Requirements:
Maize requires adequate and timely irrigation. Critical stages:
- Knee-high stage
- Tasseling stage
- Silking stage
- Grain filling stage
5–6 irrigations may be required depending on soil and season. Avoid waterlogging at all costs.
12. Weed Management:
The first 30–45 days are crucial for weed-free conditions:
- Pre-emergence: Atrazine @ 0.5–1.0 kg/ha within 2 days of sowing
- Intercultural operations: Hoeing and manual weeding at 20 and 40 DAS (Days After Sowing)
13. Insect Pests and Their Management:
- Stem Borer: Apply Carbofuran granules @ 10 kg/ha or spray Quinalphos @ 2 ml/liter
- Fall Armyworm: Spray Spinosad @ 0.5 ml/liter or Emamectin benzoate @ 0.4 g/liter
- Timely monitoring and light traps are helpful in pest management.
14. Diseases and Their Management:
- Turcicum Leaf Blight: Spray Mancozeb @ 2.5 g/liter
- Downy Mildew: Use resistant varieties and spray Metalaxyl @ 1.5 g/liter
- Rust: Spray Propiconazole @ 1 ml/liter as needed
- Crop rotation and removal of infected debris help in disease management.
15. Harvesting and Threshing:
Harvesting is done when husks dry and grains harden:
- Harvest manually or by mechanical harvesters.
- Dehusk the cobs and sun-dry them to reduce moisture.
- Threshing is carried out manually using sticks or by maize shellers.
16. Yield of Crop:
Hybrids: 4.5 to 6.5 t/ha under good management
Composites: 3.0 to 4.0 t/ha
Irrigated maize gives higher productivity than rainfed crops.
17. Post-Harvest Operations:
- Drying: Grains must be dried to 12–13% moisture for safe storage.
- Cleaning & Grading: Remove debris and grade based on size and quality.
- Storage: Store in airtight bins or jute/gunny bags in dry, ventilated, pest-proof godowns.
- Marketing: Farmers can sell directly or through cooperatives/mandis after packaging.
