Collection: MAIZE

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Maize is one of the most important grain crops globally. Though it originated in Central America, Maize has been cultivated worldwide due to its adaptability to various soil types and climates. Maize is known as the Queen of cereals. In India, maize ranks as the third most significant cereal crop, followed by wheat and rice. Maize is not only a key food source for humans but also plays a key role in animal feed, industrial materials, and biofuel production.

The scientific name of maize is Zea mays, and it belongs to the Poaceae family. Maize can be consumed in many forms, including flour, boiled kernels, etc. Beyond its culinary uses, Maize serves as a primary raw material for starch, sweeteners, and ethanol production. Maize is also Known as Makka, Mekke Jola, and Mokkajonna in other Indian languages. 

Climate for Maize Cultivation

Maize is a Warm season crop. Makka can be grown under extremely divergent climatic conditions in different parts of the world, ranging from tropical to temperate regions. Warm temperatures and evenly distributed rainfall are ideal for the Mekke Jola crop growth. Due to its sensitivity to frost, maie needs a frost-free growing season. The temperature range from 18°C to 27°C is good for the growth of Makka. The optimum temperature for the germination of Mokkajonna seeds is 21°C. 

If the temperatures are below 10°C during the Mekke Jola seed germination stage, then there may be a delay in seedling emergence, which may result from seed germination at temperatures below 10°C. The optimum temperature for the growth of Makka crops is 32°C. Moderate rainfall is required during the growth season and has been estimated to be ranging between 500 mm and 700 mm.

Soil for Sowing Maize Seeds

Maize can be grown in a wide range of soils, but it grows best in fertile, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. The Makka crop is sensitive to both waterlogging and drought, so maintaining proper soil moisture is crucial. In semi-arid regions, deep soils with a heavy texture are ideal, while sandy loam soils work well in sub-humid areas. Mokkajonna crop prefers slightly acidic soil, with the optimal pH range being between 6.5 and 7.5.

Land Preparation for Sowing Maize Seeds

To prepare the field, plough the soil 2-3 times to achieve a fine tilth. Once the soil is well-tilled, level the field thoroughly to prevent waterlogging. During the final ploughing, add 10–15 tons of well-decomposed farmyard manure per hectare for optimal soil enrichment.

Maize Seeds and Propagation Material

Selection of Maize Variety: Select a maize variety based on factors such as climate, region, local market preferences, etc.

Procuring Quality Maize Seeds: Maize seeds need to be purchased from reliable sources.  At Desikheti, a wide range of quality maize seeds are available and can be delivered to farmer's doorstep.

Maize Seed Rate: The average seed rate for maize is around 8 to 10 kg of maize seeds per acre of land.

Maize Seed Treatment: Maize seeds sold by private companies are treated with chemicals prior to sale. However, untreated maize seeds can be treated with carbendazim at 2 g per kg of maize seeds.

Time of Sowing Maize Seeds

The ideal time to plant Maize depends on the region, weather conditions, variety, etc. In India, Maize can be cultivated during all three seasons, i.e., Kharif, Rabi, and summer.

• Kharif Season: Maize seeds are sown during June and July. Mokkajonna is grown in the Kharif season, mostly in North India.
• Rabi Season: Maize seeds are sown in the months of October and November. In South India, Mekke Jola is mainly grown during the Rabi season.
• Summer Season: Maize seeds are sown in February and March. This season has a shorter growing period.

Method of Sowing Maize Seeds

There are several methods for sowing Makka seeds, and the choice of method depends on factors like region, soil type, and local farming practices.

• Broadcast Sowing: This method involves manually scattering the maize seeds across the field. It is a cost-effective technique as it requires less labour, but it may result in uneven plant spacing.
• Dibbling Method: In this approach, Maize seeds are individually placed in small holes, ensuring more uniform spacing between plants, which can lead to better growth.
• Ridge and Furrow Method: Maize Seeds are sown along raised ridges, with furrows in between. This method helps improve water drainage, making it ideal for areas with heavy rainfall.

A row-to-row spacing of 60 to 75 cm and a plant-to-plant spacing of 20 to 30 cm can be maintained. The Maize seeds should be planted at a depth of 3 to 5 cm to ensure proper germination and healthy plant development.

Nutrient Management for Maize Cultivation

Maize is known to be a nutrient-demanding crop and needs the proper application of fertilizers in order to achieve the best yields. The quantity of fertilizer required varies depending on the soil fertility, region, variety, season, etc. Fertilizer application varies based on rainfed or Irrigated crops. In the case of a rainfed Makka crop, apply 80 to 100 Kg of Nitrogen, 40 to 50 Kg of Phosphorus, 35 Kg of potassium and 25 to 50 Kg of Zinc sulphate per hectare of land. Apply all the fertilizers as a basal dose.

In the case of irrigated Makka crop, apply 120 to 150 Kg of Nitrogen, 60 to 75 Kg of Phosphorus, 35 Kg of potassium and 25 to 50 Kg of Zinc sulphate per hectare of land. Apply one-fourth of Nitrogen and the entire quantity of other fertilizers as basal dose. Apply the remaining quantity of Nitrogen in split doses once at 30 to 35 days after sowing maize seeds (Knee-high stage) and the other at 50 to 55 days after sowing maize seeds (Pre-tasseling).

Irrigation Management for Maize Farming

Maize is quite sensitive to both drought and waterlogging, so managing water effectively is key to ensuring a good crop yield. The water requirements of Mekke Jola vary depending on the growth stage, season, weather, and soil type. During the Kharif season, irrigation isn't usually necessary if there's enough rainfall. However, in the Rabi season, the crop should be watered every 7 to 10 days.

It's more beneficial to provide light, frequent irrigations that moisten the root zone rather than applying heavy irrigation at long intervals, as this promotes better yield. The most crucial stages for irrigation are seedling emergence, tasseling, silking, and grain filling. Early on, up to 40 days after sowing, the Makka crop is more sensitive to excess moisture, while from pre-flowering to maturity, it's more prone to drought stress.

Water shortages, especially during the tasseling and grain-filling stages, can stunt kernel development and reduce yields. Drip irrigation is the preferred method, as it minimizes water wastage and helps deliver consistent moisture, ultimately improving the crop's overall yield.

Weed Management in Maize Farming

For optimal maize growth, two weedings are recommended. The first weeding can be done 2 to 3 weeks after sowing Mokkajonna seeds to eliminate early weed competition. The second weeding can be done 20 to 25 days after the first weeding, depending on the growth and density of the weeds. During hand weeding, care should be taken to avoid damage to the maize roots.

Pest and Disease Management in Maize Farming

Common Pests of Maize

Stem borer (Chilo partellus)

• Stem borers are a major pest in maize cultivation and can cause significant damage to the crop.
• The pest typically infests the Makka plant about a month after sowing Makka seeds, and the damage continues until the cobs start to emerge.
• The young larvae feed on the tender folded Makka leaves, causing the typical "shot hole" appearance.
• The larvae enter the Makka stalks and damage the plant's structure, weakening it. Small holes can be seen on the Makka plant stem near the nodes, signalling from where the larvae have entered inside the plant stem.
• The central shoot of the Mekke Jola plant withers, and a condition referred to as "dead heart " can be observed in the Mekke Jola plant.
• In severe cases, this infestation can lead to wilting, stunted growth, or even plant death, which drastically reduces yields in Mokkajonna fields.

Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

• The fall armyworm is a highly destructive pest that poses a serious threat to Mokkajonna crops.
• It feeds aggressively on various parts of the Makka plant, including the leaves, whorl, and ears.
• This feeding leads to significant damage and can cause high-yield losses.
• The pest also spreads quickly across fields, affecting all parts of the plant.
• Its rapid spread and extensive damage make it a major concern for Makka production.

Aphids (Rhopalosiphum maidis)

• Aphids feed on the sap of maize plants, weakening the plant over time.
• This feeding leads to stunted growth and reduces the plant's overall yield potential.
• Aphids excrete honeydew as they feed, which leads to the growth of sooty mold on the Mekke Jola plant.
• The sooty mold covers the leaves, blocking sunlight and preventing proper photosynthesis, further affecting the Makka plant's health.

Common Diseases of Maize

Turcicum Leaf blight (Helminthosporium maydis)

• The disease appears as long, elliptical lesions on the maize leaves, ranging from greyish-green to tan colour
• This disease primarily affects the Makka plant at an early growth stage.
• The lesions gradually merge to form larger spots, giving the plant a blighted appearance.
• In high humidity, the affected leaf area may become necrotic, and the Mokkajonna plant appears dead.

Charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina)

• Charcoal rot typically affects Mekke Jola plants as they approach maturity.
• The fungus begins by causing brown, water-soaked lesions on the maize plant roots, which eventually turn black.
• As the Makka plant matures, the infection moves up to the lower portions of the stem, forming grey streaks on the surface of the lower internodes.
• This leads to premature ripening, along with shredding and breaking of the crown.
• When Makka plant stalks are split open, black sclerotia are visible on the vascular strands, giving the inside of the stalk a charred appearance, a characteristic symptom of the disease.

Banded leaf and sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani)

• The disease first appears as large, discoloured patches on the plant, often accompanied by irregular dark streaks.
• The disease generally occurs at the pre-flowering stage of the Mekke Jola plants.
• As the infection worsens, it leads to blotching on both the Makka plant leaf sheath and the leaves.
• The symptoms can also spread to the silk, glumes, and kernels.
• In some cases, the infection also affects the stalks, causing the internodes to break at the site of infection.

Harvesting Maize Cobs

Maize hybrids typically mature in 90 to 110 days. A good indicator of maturity is when the husk turns pale brown and the Makka grains are firm, unable to be dented with a fingernail. Mokkajonna cobs can be harvested when the grain moisture level reaches around 20%. It is important not to wait for the stalks to dry completely, as the Makka plants can still be green while the maize cobs are ready for harvest.

In small farms, maize plants are often harvested by hand. This method allows for more careful picking, reducing damage to the kernels, though it requires more labour. On larger farms, combine harvesters are commonly used.

Maize Yield

The yield of maize varies based on the variety, season, and other farm management practices. Generally, the average yield of maize is around 15 to 25 quintals per acre. For hybrids, the yield is around 40 quintals per acre.