Maize
Scientific Name:
Zea mays
Economic Importance of Maize:
Right here are some of the important thing economic advantages of maize:
- Food: Maize is a staple meal for thousands and thousands of people internationally, offering critical vitamins and calories.
- Feed: Maize is a primary feed supply for cattle, along with hens, farm animals, and pigs, offering important vitamins for their boom and manufacturing.
- Biofuels: Maize can be processed into ethanol, and used as a biofuel in the transportation region, decreasing dependence on petroleum-primarily based fuels.
- Industrial use: Maize is used within the production of diffusion of commercial merchandise, inclusive of adhesives, cosmetics, and paper.
- Export: Maize is a main export commodity for many countries, producing extensive revenue through exports to different countries.
- Rural development: Maize manufacturing provides employment and profit possibilities for small farmers and rural communities, contributing to financial development in these regions.
- Food security: Maize is an essential crop for food security, ensuring ok meal substances and lowering the threat of food shortages.
Production Technology of Maize:
Sowing methods:
- Drill sowing: A distance of 75 cm is maintained between rows and 15-20 cm between adjacent plants depending upon the range requirements.
- Ridge sowing: Seeds are dibbled 15-20 cm aside on ridges spaced at 75 cm.
Seed Rate in drill sowing:
12-15kg/acre
seed rate in Ridge Sowing:
8-10 kg/Acre
Sowing time in the spring season:
A) past due hybrids/types = Mid Jan. To Mid Feb.
B) Early hybrids/varieties = Mid-Feb. To Mid Mar
Sowing time in the Autumn season:
A) past due hybrids/varieties = Mid-July to Early August.
B) Early hybrids/varieties = 2nd & 3rd week of August.
Fertilizer Application:
N=92, P=46, K=25 kg/acre
Irrigation:
Spring season Autumn season
Drill sowing 8-10 6-8
Ridge sowing 10-12 8-10
Weed Control:
- Manual/mechanical weeding.
- Utility of appropriate weedicide.
Insect Pest Management (IPM):
Here are a few techniques for insect pest control in maize:
- Cultural practices: Crop rotation, planting ailment-resistant types, and proper irrigation and fertilization can lessen the impact of insect pests.
- Monitoring: Regular tracking of the crop for insect damage and presence is essential to ensure early detection and well-timed control.
- Physical control: Handpicking and putting off bugs, using sticky traps, and using row covers can assist in controlling bugs.
- Biological Control: the usage of herbal predators, together with ladybugs and lacewings, to govern insect pests can be an effective and eco-friendly choice.
- Chemical Control: software of pesticides may be used to manipulate insect pests, needs need to be used as a last motel and only after careful attention to the capacity environmental effects.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): imposing an IPM application, which involves the use of an aggregate of cultural, bodily, biological, and chemically manipulate strategies, can be an effective way to control insect pests in maize.
Diseases and their control:
- Maize Rust: its miles result from the fungus Puccinia sorghi. Control measures include planting resistant types, crop rotation, and applying fungicides.
- Maize Smut: it is a result of the fungus Ustilago maydis. Manipulate measures include planting resistant types and the usage of fungicides.
- Maize Ear Rot: it's far caused by numerous fungi consisting of Fusarium verticillioides and Aspergillus flavus. Control measures include planting resistant varieties, using crop rotation, and applying fungicides.
- Maize Bacterial Wilt: it's miles due to the bacterium Xanthomonas vasicola pv. Vascular. Control measures encompass planting resistant types and heading off overhead irrigation.
- Maize Mosaic Virus: A set of RNA viruses causes Maize Mosaic Virus. Control measures encompass planting resistant sorts, averting over-fertilization, and casting off inflamed flowers.
Harvesting and Storage:
Here are some steps for harvesting and storage of maize:
- Harvesting: Maize is generally harvested when the kernels have reached adulthood and the husks have turned brown. The first-rate time to harvest maize is when the moisture content of the seeds is between 20-30%. The crop may be harvested either manually or routinely.
- Drying: After harvesting, the maize must be dried to lessen its moisture content to a safe stage for storage. This could be done by spreading the maize in a thin layer and allowing it to air dry in the solar or using mechanical dryers.
- Cleansing: earlier than storage, the maize must be wiped clean to get rid of any dust, leaves, or other debris.
- Grading: Grading involves keeping apart the maize-based on high quality and length. This ensures that the fine first-class maize is stored and bought first.
- Packaging: The maize can be packaged in bags, packing containers, or bulk containers for storage.
- Storage: Maize ought to be stored in a dry and properly-ventilated place to prevent moisture buildup and save you from spoilage. The temperature of the storage region has to be saved between 10-15°C to keep away from insect infestations and mold growth.
- Monitoring: Ordinary tracking of the maize in the garage is necessary to check for any signs and symptoms of spoilage or insect infestations. If any troubles are determined, the maize ought to be eliminated and disposed of straight away to prevent the spread of contamination.
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