Maize is an important staple food and feed crop cultivated worldwide. It is high in starch content and used for various industrial purposes through wet and dry milling processes. In India, maize is predominantly cultivated during the kharif season across many states. Different varieties and hybrids have been developed suited to various growing conditions. Maize requires warm weather and moderate rainfall to grow. Proper spacing, fertilizer application, irrigation, weed control and protection from pests are essential agronomic practices for optimal yields.

1. MaizeMaize
Zea maysZea mays

2. MaizeMaize
ImportanceImportance
It is staple food for humanIt is staple food for human
• Feed for livestockFeed for livestock
• Fermentation and many industrial usesFermentation and many industrial uses
• High starch (65%)High starch (65%)
Wet millingWet milling
• Industrial starch production - sweetenersIndustrial starch production - sweeteners
Wet milling industries also produces variousWet milling industries also produces various
modified maize starch formodified maize starch for
Paper laminationPaper lamination
Textile wrap, sizing and laundryTextile wrap, sizing and laundry
finishingfinishing
Origin: Mexico and South America

3. MaizeMaize
 Importance..Importance..
Dry millingDry milling
Dry milled products areDry milled products are
 Animal feed, brewing, breakfast cereals, other foodAnimal feed, brewing, breakfast cereals, other food
In India dry milling is the predominant process forIn India dry milling is the predominant process for
 Both flour and animal feedBoth flour and animal feed
Fermentation and distilling industriesFermentation and distilling industries
Composite floursComposite flours
In the new millennium it is an alternate crop toIn the new millennium it is an alternate crop to
rice and wheatrice and wheat

4. MaizeMaize
Distribution and cultivationDistribution and cultivation
 Cultivated throughout the worldCultivated throughout the world
 58°N latitude to 40°S latitude58°N latitude to 40°S latitude
 Over 139 million haOver 139 million ha
 Around 700 million tonnesAround 700 million tonnes
 Above Rice & wheat in productionAbove Rice & wheat in production
 Over 58% is in developed countiesOver 58% is in developed counties
 USA 40%, China 21%USA 40%, China 21%
 Eastern and South Africa 25%Eastern and South Africa 25%

5. Maize Scenario In IndiaMaize Scenario In India
StateState Area mhaArea mha Production MtProduction Mt Productivity t haProductivity t ha-1-1
RajasthanRajasthan 0.950.95 1.021.02 1.081.08
UPUP 0.900.90 0.920.92 1.021.02
MPMP 0.850.85 1.181.18 1.391.39
BiharBihar 0.690.69 1.271.27 1.851.85
KarnatakaKarnataka 0.500.50 1.621.62 3.253.25
GujaratGujarat 0.400.40 0.700.70 1.711.71
APAP 0.400.40 1.341.34 3.333.33
J&KJ&K 0.310.31 0.530.53 1.711.71
HPHP 0.310.31 0.670.67 2.202.20
MaharastraMaharastra 0.280.28 0.510.51 1.841.84
Tamil NaduTamil Nadu 0.200.20 0.240.24 1.401.40
All IndiaAll India 6.286.28 10.9210.92 1.761.76

6. MaizeMaize
In IndiaIn India
 35% production is consumed by human35% production is consumed by human
 25% poultry feed and cattle feed25% poultry feed and cattle feed
 15% food processing15% food processing
 India needs 20 million towards 2020India needs 20 million towards 2020
 There is increase in area due to demandThere is increase in area due to demand

7. MaizeMaize
Maize grain typesMaize grain types
 Flint corn (Flint corn (Zea mays induraZea mays indura))
 Entire outer portion of kernel is hardEntire outer portion of kernel is hard
starchstarch
 Flint comes in many colorsFlint comes in many colors
 White, yellow, red-blue or their variableWhite, yellow, red-blue or their variable
Flint Dent
Flint Dent

8. MaizeMaize
Maize grain types .Maize grain types .
 Dent cornDent corn ((Zea mays intendataZea mays intendata))
 95% is in USA95% is in USA
 Hard starch is confined to sides of kernelHard starch is confined to sides of kernel
 The amylose of soft starch in the core and in capThe amylose of soft starch in the core and in cap
contracts when the grain is dried producingcontracts when the grain is dried producing
characteristic dent in the top of the kernelcharacteristic dent in the top of the kernel
 May beMay be yellowyellow, white and, white and redred
Flint Dent

9. MaizeMaize
Maize grain types ..Maize grain types ..
 Sweet corn (Sweet corn (Zea mays sacchartaZea mays saccharta))
 USA and CanadaUSA and Canada
 Grown for food and harvested at 70% moistureGrown for food and harvested at 70% moisture
 Good source of energyGood source of energy
 About 20% of dry matter is sugar compared to 3% inAbout 20% of dry matter is sugar compared to 3% in
dentdent
 It is also a good source of vitamin C & AIt is also a good source of vitamin C & A

10. MaizeMaize
Maize grain types …Maize grain types …
 Flour cornFlour corn ((Zea mays amylaceaZea mays amylacea))
 Kernel is largely composed of soft starch withKernel is largely composed of soft starch with
little or no hard starchlittle or no hard starch
 Kernels are easy to grindKernels are easy to grind
 Primarily used by natives of Andean HighlandsPrimarily used by natives of Andean Highlands
of S Americaof S America

11. MaizeMaize
Maize grain types ….Maize grain types ….
 Pop corn (Pop corn (Zea mays avertaZea mays averta))
 It’s kernel is small and extreme form of flint cornIt’s kernel is small and extreme form of flint corn
 When heated to 170° C, the grain swells andWhen heated to 170° C, the grain swells and
burst, turning inside outburst, turning inside out
 At this temp the water held in the starch turns toAt this temp the water held in the starch turns to
steam and the pressure causes the explosionsteam and the pressure causes the explosion

12. MaizeMaize
Maize grain types …..Maize grain types …..
 Waxy corn (Waxy corn (Zea mays ceretinaZea mays ceretina))
 Originated in ChinaOriginated in China
 Due to waxy appearance of the kernelDue to waxy appearance of the kernel
 The starch is entirely amylopectin whereas dentThe starch is entirely amylopectin whereas dent
has 78% and 22% amylosehas 78% and 22% amylose
 Hybrids of waxy are raw materials forHybrids of waxy are raw materials for
 Wet milling starch industry for textile and paper sizingWet milling starch industry for textile and paper sizing
and corn oiland corn oil

13. • Warm weather loving cropWarm weather loving crop
• Mainly rainfedMainly rainfed
• Night temperature below 15.6°C - stops growingNight temperature below 15.6°C - stops growing
• Cannot withstand frost and droughtCannot withstand frost and drought
MaizeMaize
Weather

14. MaizeMaize
WeatherWeather
 Planting to emergencePlanting to emergence
 9 to 30°C critical9 to 30°C critical
 At 10-20°C the growth is proportionalAt 10-20°C the growth is proportional
 Emergence to silkingEmergence to silking
 Leaf number increases with temp andLeaf number increases with temp and
photoperiodphotoperiod
 Increase in time to tassel as the diurnal variationIncrease in time to tassel as the diurnal variation
increase from 0-17°Cincrease from 0-17°C

15. MaizeMaize
WeatherWeather
Temp effect on photosynthesis, translocationTemp effect on photosynthesis, translocation
and yieldand yield
 Max rate of growth at 30°CMax rate of growth at 30°C
 Longer the grain filling period higher theLonger the grain filling period higher the
grain yield provided no freezing temp.grain yield provided no freezing temp.
 Cool temp prolongs the sub-periodsCool temp prolongs the sub-periods

16. MaizeMaize
WeatherWeather
 Temp effect ..Temp effect ..
 Higher the solar radiationHigher the solar radiation higher the photosynthesishigher the photosynthesis
 Higher theHigher the plant canopyplant canopy higher the photosynthesishigher the photosynthesis
 For erect leaves closer spacing is betterFor erect leaves closer spacing is better
 Tassel removal under high density could increaseTassel removal under high density could increase
yieldyield
 Dense tassel could reduce light interception byDense tassel could reduce light interception by
19%19%
 Rainfall requirement : 600 mm
 Sensitive to water logging and water stress

17. MaizeMaize
Maize cultivars in IndiaMaize cultivars in India
 VarietiesVarieties
 CO 1, K1CO 1, K1
 HybridsHybrids
 Ganga 1 (1961), to Ganga 11, Deccan 105, Trishula,Ganga 1 (1961), to Ganga 11, Deccan 105, Trishula,
Deccan 107Deccan 107
 COH1, COH2, COH3, COBC 1COH1, COH2, COH3, COBC 1

18. MaizeMaize
SeasonsSeasons
 Mostly duringMostly during KharifKharif
 Early sowing in Apr-MayEarly sowing in Apr-May
 Irrigated - End of May to JuneIrrigated - End of May to June
 RabiRabi season – Sep. - Oct.season – Sep. - Oct.
 In the tropics throughout the yearIn the tropics throughout the year
 July - Aug, Sep - Oct, Jan - FebJuly - Aug, Sep - Oct, Jan - Feb

19. Crop region Sowing time
North Eastern hills : First week of March
North Western hills : April end to early May
Peninsular India : May to June
Indo - Gangetic Plains : Mid June to Mid July
Sowing period
MaizeMaize

20. MaizeMaize
Field preparationField preparation
 Well drained light soils with good depthWell drained light soils with good depth
 Deep ploughing facilitates the soil moistureDeep ploughing facilitates the soil moisture
movementsmovements
 Ridges and furrows for irrigated cropsRidges and furrows for irrigated crops
 Moderate tillage is sufficientModerate tillage is sufficient
 Application of well decomposed FYMApplication of well decomposed FYM

21. MaizeMaize
Spacing & plant densitySpacing & plant density
 Depends up onDepends up on
 Length of growing seasonLength of growing season
 Type of cultivarType of cultivar
 Soil type and depthSoil type and depth
 Water source and soil fertilityWater source and soil fertility
 60-70,000 plants for irrigated60-70,000 plants for irrigated kharifkharif seasonseason
 A density of 80, 000- 100,000 plants inA density of 80, 000- 100,000 plants in RabiRabi

22. MaizeMaize
Spacing & Seed rateSpacing & Seed rate
 60 x 20 cm60 x 20 cm
 15-2015-20 kg/hakg/ha
 45-50 x 2045-50 x 20
 25-3025-30 kg/hakg/ha

23. MaizeMaize
Planting depthPlanting depth
 7-8 cm in flat beds7-8 cm in flat beds
 Earthed up during later stagesEarthed up during later stages
 2/3 from top of the ridge and bring to middle2/3 from top of the ridge and bring to middle
of the ridge during earthing upof the ridge during earthing up

24. MaizeMaize
Nutrient managementNutrient management
 It is crop of heavy feeder - Exhausts all theIt is crop of heavy feeder - Exhausts all the
three major nutrientsthree major nutrients
 Zn - deficient in Indo-Gangetic PlainsZn - deficient in Indo-Gangetic Plains

25. MaizeMaize
Nutrient managementNutrient management
 Recommendation varies according to zoneRecommendation varies according to zone
 In Tamil NaduIn Tamil Nadu
 135 - 62.5 - 50 kg N, P135 - 62.5 - 50 kg N, P22OO55 and Kand K22O /haO /ha
 P & K - all basalP & K - all basal
 N in three splits asN in three splits as
 ¼ basal, ½ at 25 DAS, ¼ at 45 DAS¼ basal, ½ at 25 DAS, ¼ at 45 DAS
 25 kg ZnSO4 is also recommended for deficient soils25 kg ZnSO4 is also recommended for deficient soils
 For hybrids – 200:100:100For hybrids – 200:100:100 kg N, Pkg N, P22OO55 and Kand K22O /haO /ha

26. MaizeMaize
Water managementWater management
 It is a crop highly sensitive to excess and stressIt is a crop highly sensitive to excess and stress
 Flooding affects the aerationFlooding affects the aeration
 Whenever excess moisture is noticed higher level ofWhenever excess moisture is noticed higher level of
N can minimize the effectN can minimize the effect

27. MaizeMaize
Water management ..Water management ..
 Stress reduces LAI at 50 DAS,Stress reduces LAI at 50 DAS,
 Yield reduces @ 3% per day of stressYield reduces @ 3% per day of stress
 Stress at tasseling and silking stagesStress at tasseling and silking stages
 Reduce the yield by 13% per day of stressReduce the yield by 13% per day of stress
 If stress at pollination - crop failureIf stress at pollination - crop failure

28. MaizeMaize
Water management …Water management …
 Scheduling of irrigationScheduling of irrigation
 Critical stages areCritical stages are
 66thth
leafleaf
 Late knee highLate knee high
 TassellingTasselling
 50% silking and50% silking and
 Dough stagesDough stages

29. MaizeMaize
Weed managementWeed management
 Crop - weed competition is 6 weeksCrop - weed competition is 6 weeks
 Ridges and furrow method and subsequent earth upRidges and furrow method and subsequent earth up
can manage weeds effectivelycan manage weeds effectively
 Under rainfed flat system two hoeing and earthing upUnder rainfed flat system two hoeing and earthing up
is essentialis essential
 Herbicides:Herbicides:
 Atrazine @ 1-1.25 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergenceAtrazine @ 1-1.25 kg a.i./ha as pre-emergence
 Post emergence - 2, 4 D - 1.5 kg/haPost emergence - 2, 4 D - 1.5 kg/ha
 Pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg if intercropped with pulses as PEPendimethalin @ 1.0 kg if intercropped with pulses as PE

30. MaizeMaize
HarvestHarvest
 Sheath covering the cob turns yellow and drySheath covering the cob turns yellow and dry
 The seeds become hard and dryThe seeds become hard and dry
 Harvest the cob by breaking / cutting the cob aloneHarvest the cob by breaking / cutting the cob alone
 Remove the sheathRemove the sheath
 Thresh the cob after sun drying the grainsThresh the cob after sun drying the grains
 Use machinery for threshingUse machinery for threshing
 Sweet corn is harvested when the grainSweet corn is harvested when the grain
moisture is 70%moisture is 70%

31. MaizeMaize
Cropping sequenceCropping sequence
Rice - ground nut - maizeRice - ground nut - maize
Maize + intercrops in three different seasonsMaize + intercrops in three different seasons
in TNin TN
Maize asMaize as KharifKharif in N India followed by wheatin N India followed by wheat
or anyor any RabiRabi cropcrop