*4.1.2 Sowing time*

Due to occurrence of diverse climatic conditions in country, planting time varies from place to place. Optimum planting time in different agro-climatic regions is described in **Table 2** [2]. The optimum time to sow the crop depends on availability of irrigation facilities. For example, if irrigation facilities are available, maize crop can be sown about 2 weeks before onset of monsoon while under rainfed conditions, crop is sown with the onset of monsoon to have optimum moisture regime so that proper plant stand can be maintained in field. In Punjab, Maize crop can be sown during all seasons at following sowing times (**Table 3**) [7, 8]:

**83**

*4.1.3 Seed rate*

**Table 1.**

**Table 2.**

**Table 3.**

**Table 4.**

tion as given in **Table 4** [2, 8].

*Seed rate of maize hybrids and composites.*

ment of soil health [2, 7, 8].

*4.1.4 Seed treatment*

Being a non-tillering crop it cannot compensate for the lost space if proper

60–65,000 plants/ha is pre-requisite for realizing maximum yield. Sowing of the crop should be done 60 × 20–25 cm crop geometry. For hybrids and composites, seed rate can be used with respect to seed weight and requirement of plant popula-

Seed treatment plays a pivotal role in prevention of diseases and availability of nutrients to growing crop. For instance, seed treatment of maize with Bavistin or Derosal or Agrozim 50 WP (Carbendazim) @ 3 g/kg seed prevents the attack of seed and soil borne diseases in maize crop. Furthermore, treatment of seed with consortium (biofertilizer) @ 1.25 kg/ha helps in yield enhancement and improve-

plant stand is not maintained under field conditions. So maintenance of

Hybrids 20–25 kg/ha Composites 18–20 kg/ha

*Improved Technologies for Higher Maize Production DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.88997*

*Choice of cultivar as per length of growing season.*

**Length of cropping season (days) Type of cultivar** More than 100 Late maturing 90 to 100 Medium maturing 80 to 90 Early maturing

**Agro-climatic region Optimum planting time**

Indo-gangatic plains 15 June–15 July North-western hills April-early May North-eastern hills First fortnight of March

Peninsular region May–June

*Optimum planting of maize in different agro-climatic regions.*

*Kharif* Last week of May to last week of June

**Season Planting time**

*Season wise planting time maize.*

Spring 20th of Jan to 15th of Feb


#### **Table 1.**

*Maize - Production and Use*

the chapter is given below.

**2. Origin and distribution**

**3. Climatic requirements**

during early period of growth [2, 5].

be selected as follows (**Table 1**) [6]:

**4.1 Crop establishment**

*4.1.1 Selection of cultivar*

*4.1.2 Sowing time*

**4. Improved production technologies**

are going to discuss an array of different production technologies to be followed by farmers for successful cultivation and better realization of yields. A brief outline of

Central America and Mexico is the primary centre of origin of maize which consists of a diversity of maize crop. Various studies reveal that maize crop was a significant crop in Mexico about 5000 years ago. USA has the largest area under maize crop followed by Brazil, China, Mexico and India. USA also stands first in terms of production followed by China. In India, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab are the major maize growing states. Highest acreage and production is in Uttar Pradesh while average yield/ha is recorded in Andhra Pradesh [2, 5].

Maize crop can grow under diverse conditions from sea level to about 3000 m altitude throughout the year in many parts of the country. In Northern India, *kharif* (monsoon) season is main growing period while in Southern India it can be grown from April to October as warm weather conditions prevail for longer period. Maize crop requires 21 and 32°C temperature for proper germination and growth with considerable moisture availability. For instance, 50–75 cm of well distributed rain is conducive for proper growth. During flowering, high temperature and low humidity damages the foliage, desiccates the pollens interferes with pollination and decreased grain formation. Maize is highly sensitive to water stagnation especially

Type of cultivar/hybrid to be grown depends on the crop season namely, spring, *Kharif* or *Rabi*. Cultivars can be proffered based on length of growing season, availability of optimum moisture regime. Depending upon above factors, cultivars can

Due to occurrence of diverse climatic conditions in country, planting time varies from place to place. Optimum planting time in different agro-climatic regions is described in **Table 2** [2]. The optimum time to sow the crop depends on availability of irrigation facilities. For example, if irrigation facilities are available, maize crop can be sown about 2 weeks before onset of monsoon while under rainfed conditions, crop is sown with the onset of monsoon to have optimum moisture regime so that proper plant stand can be maintained in field. In Punjab, Maize crop can be

sown during all seasons at following sowing times (**Table 3**) [7, 8]:

**82**

*Choice of cultivar as per length of growing season.*


#### **Table 2.**

*Optimum planting of maize in different agro-climatic regions.*


#### **Table 3.**

*Season wise planting time maize.*


#### **Table 4.**

*Seed rate of maize hybrids and composites.*
