Production technology f maize (Spring and Kharif)

 

Cultivation of maize (Spring and Kharif)

Maize is an important cereal crop after wheat and rice. It is used as a main ingredient in animal and poultry feed. It is the source of starch, glucose, and oil etc. There are two crops of maize in a year. Here we will discuss only about the spring maize.

Land preparation:

            Well fertile loamy soil is best for the cultivation of maize. Sandy waterlogged and saline soils are not appropriate for maize. For the better production, three to four ploughings are done. Rota wetter is used to break the large pieces of soil into small pieces.

Sowing time:

            Spring maize is cultivated from late January to mid of march and kharif crop is sown from 1^st July to mid of August. But time of cultivation can be changed according to weather updates.

Varieties:

Maize seed can also be obtained from registered seed companies like Mosanto, Pioneer, ICI, and Syngenta etc. Here is the list of varieties developed by MMRI Sahiwal.

List of maize varieties developed by Maize and Millet Research Institute (MMRI) Sahiwal

Note:

            FH-1036 is only cultivated in kharif season and FH-949 is cultivated in spring season.

Features of all Varieties:

·         All varieties can be grown in two growing seasons except FH-1036 and FH-949.

·         Produce of grain can be used as seed for next season crop.

·         Compete the local environmental conditions.

·         Hybrid varieties are single cross and give more yield than synthetic varieties.

·         Resistant against insects and diseases.

Seed rate:

8-10kg seed is used for sowing of maize on ridges.

Method of sowing:

                In irrigated areas wheat should be cultivated on ridges. Line to line distance is 28” and plant to distance is 6” maintained. Whereas for synthetic cultivars plant to plant distance should be 7-8”. Seed should be placed at the south side of ridges for maximum sunlight. Number of plants in one acre should be 26000-30000 for spring crop.

Irrigation:

12-14 irrigations are required for spring maize. 1^st irrigation is given after one week of sowing for proper germination. After that water is applied according to environmental and crop conditions. if temperature is raised then irrigation interval should be decreased. At pollination stage, water shortage will result in poor grain formation.

Application of fertilizers:

Note:

All DAP and Sop Should be applied at time of time. Whereas urea should be applied in four doses. 1^st dose at 1', 2^nd at 2', 3^rd at 3' and 4^th at flowering stage.

Harvesting:

Crop should be harvested when it is fully matured. Otherwise, grains of un mature crop become shriveled. For storage, moisture content should 10% in grains.