Maize

In some English speaking countries, maize is also known as corn which is a large plant, thought to be originally cultivated by people from Mesoamerican tribes in prehistoric times. Typically, a maize plant looks like a leafy plant, giving out ears containing the grains, which produce seeds called as the kernel. These kernels can also be used in cooking for the constituent starch found in these kernels. In India, the cultivation of maize is quite widespread with major concentration in the north India. In the early days, maize plants were found in America, but gradually spread to other parts of the world, mostly because of the ease of cultivation in different kinds of climates. Production wise, two varieties are commonly produced, one being the sweet corn for human production and the field corn for animal fodder and chemical feed stocks. In the world, most of the maize production is done in America and of the produce, 40% is used for production of corn ethanol. America produces about 35% of the world’s maize and accounts for double production from rest of the world. Maize is also known as the queen of cereals, because of its potential of highest genetic yield. In India, the productivity is about 2.43 tha, while America has 9.6 tha productions.

After the production of rice and wheat, maize production in India is ranked at third highest. Grown during the kharif season, it contributed about 9% of the annual food growth in India. Besides being a cereal food, the maize is also considered to be one of the most popular raw material produces from agriculture, for various industries like gum making, film, textile, food sweeteners, pharmaceutical and paper industries.

Maize Production in India

In India, the major share of the maize produced is used for poultry feed, which is about 51%, while human consumption is to the extent of 23%. It is grown across many states. Andhra Pradesh contributes maximum towards the growth of these products with Karnataka, Rajasthan and Maharashtra following close. Maize is also grown in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and north eastern states.

Soils in India on which maize production is done on a large scale are loamy sand to clay loam. For good productivity, soils with high organic matter and high water holding capacity with neutral pH are favorable. The plant has sensitivity to high moisture and salinity content of the soil and hence, low lying field areas are to be usually avoided. Hence, an important criterion for choosing fields to grow maize is the field with proper drainage systems.

The best part about maize production is the growth during almost all seasons, especially the kharif or monsoon, Rabi or winter season and post monsoon. To make sure that the production is high during Rabi and spring seasons, there should be proper irrigation facilities. When the maize cultivation is beginning in kharif season, the sowing should be completed 12-15 days prior to the start of monsoon. Seed rate and seed treatment can be effective means of good maize crop.

Another concept in maize production, prevalent in India is that of diversification of cultivated land towards the sowing of maize, during the period when rice or wheat is not put in the fields. Where Rabi crops are gradually diminishing, the soil can be used for plantation of maize. This has a lot to do with the rice and wheat crop failure or when the season is not fit. There is also a marked change in the pattern in which maize plantations are being maintained in India. These are mixed with other agricultural practices of vegetables.

Maize Growing States in India and Best Season

In India, maize production is done with an intention of using these commercially for different purposes, such as grain, sweet corn, baby corn, fodder for cattle and pop corn. These are found to be produced in major quantities in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh, north eastern states and even in Jammu and Kashmir. Uttar Pradesh is presently considered to be the largest producer of maize in India. Karnataka is ranked third among the states producing maize, while Bihar in central India also has a major contribution. Some of the districts in Andhra Pradesh produce maize are as large quantities as in some regions of America. During the seasons in India, where moisture content is high, maize is found to be produced in large quantities. Largely, the idea is to time the sowing of the seeds when the soil moisture is high. So, rain and water irrigations are considered to be quite beneficial in the country’s maize production.

Methods of Maize Plantation

When maize cultivation is being done, the sowing methods are required to be kept in mind for best yields. During monsoon and winter seasons, raised bed plantation method is considered to be the best. On the ridges, the seeds should be sown on the southern sides for better germination. Planting of seeds need to be done with sufficient spacing. Raised bed plantation technology is used to save water for irrigation, up to the extent of about 20-30%. Furrows created during these techniques allow the drainage of water properly, preventing any collection of moisture.

In another method of maize plantation, no-till situation is less costly. During this process, enough moisture should be ensured during seed sowing. Fertilizers should be placed during this particular process. In most of the peninsular and eastern India agricultural lands with rice-maize and wheat-maize plantations, this type of no-till technique is in use.

Conventional flat till planting, furrow planting and transplanting are other important methods of maize plantations. Since maize is quite sensitive to the needs for organic and inorganic fertilizers, these should be used from time to time. Pest management and disease prevention in the plants will ensure better yields of the maize crops in India.

Not only has maize grown on to become a major agricultural produce in India, it is also known for the multiple uses in food and chemical industries. It is gradually coming up as a biofuel and plenty of attention is being paid towards this particular sector in agriculture, allowing healthy production of maize in the country.

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