Soils

Maize can be grown successfully in a variety of soils ranging from loamy sand to clay loam. However, soils with good organic matter content having high water holding capacity with neutral pH are considered good for higher productivity. Being a sensitive crop to moisture stress particularly excess soil moisture and salinity stresses; it is desirable to avoid low lying fields having poor drainage and also the field having higher salinity. Therefore, the fields having provision of proper drainage should be selected for cultivation of maize.

Sowing Time & Methods

In India, maize is principally grown in two seasons, monsoon (kharif) and winter (rabi). Kharif maize represents around 83% of maize area in India, while rabi maize correspond to 17% maize area.

In kharif season, crop is sown in month of May end to June corresponding with the onset of monsoon. In Rabi Season, the crop is sown in the months of mid-October – November.

Spring crops are sown during late February to end of March. Plantation of baby corn can be done all year round, except December and January. Kharif and Rabi season are best for sweet corn sowing.

Maize is generally sown in lines using a seed drill or manually. This method ensures proper plant spacing, better crop management and easier intercultural operations.

Growing States

Maize is cultivated throughout the year in all States of the country. The predominant maize growing States that contribute more than 80% of the country’s total maize production are Andhra Pradesh (20.9%), Karnataka (16.5%), Rajasthan (9.9%), Maharashtra (9.1%), Bihar (8.9%), Uttar Pradesh (6.1%), Madhya Pradesh (5.7%) and Himachal Pradesh (4.4%).

Varieties

Maize varieties grown in India are broadly classified into:

• Hybrids – High-yielding, used widely in commercial farming.
• Composites – Open-pollinated, genetically diverse, farmer-friendly.
• Quality Protein Maize (QPM) – Enhanced with lysine and tryptophan.
• Specialty Maize – Sweet corn, baby corn, popcorn, waxy maize.

Water Management

Water management in maize cultivation varies with the season, as nearly 80% of maize in India is grown during the monsoon, mostly under rainfed conditions. In regions with reliable irrigation facilities, supplemental irrigation should be provided based on rainfall patterns and the soil’s moisture-holding capacity. The crop is particularly sensitive to moisture stress during key growth stages – namely early seedling, knee-high, flowering and grain filling. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure adequate irrigation at these critical stages to achieve optimal yields. First irrigation is recommended around 20–25 days after sowing (knee-high stage). Typically, 4–6 irrigations are provided during the crop cycle in areas without sufficient rainfall. Efficient water management practices like drip or furrow irrigation can be used to conserve water and improve yield.

Weed Control

Weeds pose a significant challenge in maize cultivation, especially during the monsoon season, as they compete with the crop for essential resources such as nutrients, water, and sunlight. This competition can result in yield losses of up to 35%. Therefore, timely and effective weed management is essential to ensure higher productivity.

Atrazine is a selective and broad-spectrum herbicide widely recommended for maize. When applied as a pre-emergence treatment @ 1.0–1.5 kg active ingredient per hectare diluted in 600 litres of water, it effectively controls a broad range of weeds.

In areas under zero tillage, the use of non-selective herbicides is advisable prior to sowing. Glyphosate @ 1.0 kg active ingredient per hectare in 400–600 litres of water, or Paraquat at 0.5 kg active ingredient per hectare in 600 litres of water is recommended.