2. • Origin : Mexico, first domesticated by indigenous people of south
Mexico
• Altitude, rainfall : Sea level to 300m, 600-900 mm rainfall
• Soil: Fertile alluvial well drained free from coarse materials and rich in
nitrogen, pH ranges from 5.5-8.0, optimum is 6-7
• Temperature : 200c for germination, 210c-270c for better growth,
mixing soil with ripe compost helps in maintaining temperature
suitable for germination
• Sowing time : Early sowing ( mid-June)
3. • Application dose of fertilizers : 1/3 dose of nitrogen and entire dose
of P and K should be applied as basal, Split of nitrogen should be
applied 3 times i.e. sowing time, knee high stage and tasseling stage
• Method of planting :
Seed treatment with Bavistin 3g/kg
OPV gives more yield than hybrid in changing climate
Maize should not be planted below 2 inches deep depending upon
soil they should be planted upto 3 inches. 2 inches deep provides
good seed to soil contact.
Spacing: 75cm*25 cm reduces disease and pest
Planting density: 50000 plants/ha for midhills
Seed rate: 20-25kg/ha
4. • Intercropping :
Table 1. intercropping of maize with other crops
year 1st plot 2nd plot 3rd plot
1st maize potato legumes
2nd Legume/vegeta
ble
maize potato
3rd Maize potato legumes
This process is repeated every three years
5. • Critical stages for irrigation:
Knee-high stage, tasseling stage, silking stage
• Intercultural operation :
Thinning 10 days after germination
First earthing up 35 days after germination
Second earthing up 60 days after germination
• Harvesting :
• For silage production maize should be harvested when plant dry
matter should be 30-40%, maximum yield occurs at physiological
maturity
• Harvesting between march and June prevents grain loss due to birds
6. Pests of maize
Insects Management
Armyworm Push pull method: desmodium is grown between rows of maize which
acts as push factor and Napier or mulato grown at border of field act
as pull factor.
Neem extract 5ml/litre of water and other biopesticides (FAO, 2018)
Choosing variety with tight husk and husk covering the tip.
Maize borer Compared to chemical method, IPM is best to control borer (Husain,
2015).
Imidacholropid was found best among chemical insecticides (Neupane,
2016).
Trichogrammatid (egg parasitoid) is used effectively.
7. Insects Management
Wire worm Presence of hedges at border of field crops decreases wire
worm while presence of grasses at border increases wire
worm
Black
cutworm
Broad leaf weed free field decreases cutworm infestation
Early planting of maize and use of light trap reduces
cutworm
Seed corn
maggot
Reduce weed growth, ploughing soil and soil solarization
