The document provides detailed information about maize (Zea mays), including its botanical classification, types, climate and soil requirements, land preparation, sowing time, seed rate, improved varieties, weed and irrigation management, nutrient management, and harvesting practices. It highlights the importance of maize as a significant crop with various commercial varieties and their respective yields. Additionally, it outlines the cultivation practices essential for optimal maize production.

1. :
From :- Gudia Khera

2. Introduction
• Botanical Name : Zea mays
• Family : Poaceae
• Origin : Mexico
• Three types of roots (a) Seminal
roots (b) Crown roots (C) Brace
/prop roots

3.  Maize is a cross pollinated crop
 Maize is known as Queen of cereals
 Percentage oil content in Maize is 4%
 Leading state of rabi maize is Bihar
 Maize protein is called ‘Zein’

4. Maize species : [Sturtevant,1899]
1. Zea mays indurate (Flint corn) –Most cultivated
in India .
2. Zea mays indentata (Dent corn) – most common
in USA
3. Zea mays everta (Pop corn) - when they are
heated the pressure built up within the kernel
suddenly result in an explosion and the grain is
turned inside out.
4. Zea mays saccharata (Sweet corn ) – Sweeter
than other

5. 5. Zea mays amylacea (soft corn )
6. Zea mays tunicata (pod corn )
7. Zea mays ceratinakulesh
(waxy corn ) – Produces starch
similar to tapioca

6. Climate requirements
• Maize requires the warmth and
humid climate
• For germination is 21 degree C
• For growth is 32 degree C .

7. Soil type :
• Maize thrives better on well drained ,sandy-
loam to silty – loam soils .
Land Preparation :
• Give four to five ploughings and plankings to
make the seed–bed free from clods and
weeds .
• Use mould board plough ,disc harrow or
cultivator for the 1st cultivation .

8. Time of sowing :
• Last week of May to end of June .
Seed rate:
• Use 7 kg seed for popcorn and 8 kg
per acre for other varieties .

9. Improved Varieties
• PMH 11 : It matures in 95 days and its average yield
is 22.0 q/acre .
• Parbhat : It yields about 17.5 q/acre
• PMH 1 : It matures in 95 days and average yield is 21
q/acre
• PMH 2: It matures in about 83 days and its average
yield is 18 q/acre
• Punjab Sweet Corn 1 : It matures in about 95-100
Days . Its average green ear and grain yield is 50 and
13 q/acre

10. Weed Management:
• Culture : Give two hoeings about 15 to
30 days after sowing with khurpa
/kasaula/wheel-hoe etc.
• Chemical : for control of dila/motha
,apply 400ml per acre 2,4-D amines salt
58 SL as post emergence 20-25days after
sowing in 150 L of water .

11. Irrigation management :
• Generally , 4 -6 irrigations are
required depending upon rainfall .
• Critical stages for irrigation –
Tasseling and Silking.

12. Nutrient management :
• Hybrid var : 120:50:40 NPK kg /ha
• Composite var : 100:40: 30 NPK kg
/ha
• Paddy straw compost @ 180 kg per
acre along with recommended dose
of fertilizers can be alternate to
FYM.

13. Harvesting and Threshing :
• The maize crop is ready for
harvesting even when the stalks and
leaves are some what green but the
husk cover has dried and turned
brown .
• Maize shelled when the moisture
content ranges between 15 to 20 % .