Maize Crop Details for Exam

The cereal grain maize, sometimes called corn, was initially domesticated by native peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. The plant’s leafy stalk develops pollen inflorescences, also known as “tassels,” and distinct ovuliferous inflorescences, known as ears, which, when fertilised, produce kernels or seeds, which are fruits. With maize production now outpacing that of wheat or maize, it has become a staple meal in many parts of the world. Aside from being directly consumed by people (typically in the form of corn dough), maize is also used to make corn ethanol, animal feed, and other maize-based products like corn syrup and starch. Dent corn, flint corn, pod corn, popcorn, flour corn, as well as sweet corn are the six main varieties of maize. Field corn cultivars are often used for livestock feed, numerous corn-based human food uses (such as milling into cornmeal or corn flour, pressing into corn oil, fermentation as well as distillation into alcoholic drinks), and also as feedstocks for the chemical industry. Sugar-rich varieties known as sweet corn are typically grown for human consumption as kernels. Additionally, ethanol and other biofuels are made from maize. More maize is grown each year than any other grain thanks to widespread cultivation around the globe.

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About Maize

The most widely grown crop in the world is maize (Zea mays L.), a domesticated cereal grain that originated in Central America. One of the most adaptable developing crops, it has a wide range of uses. Due to its maximum genetic production potential, maize is referred to as the “queen of cereals” internationally. The only food cereal crop that can be cultivated in a variety of climates, ecosystems, and environments is maize. Other varieties of maize include regular yellow/white grain, sweet corn, baby corn, popcorn, waxy corn, high-amylase corn, high-oil corn, and quality protein maize, among others. In addition, maize is a significant industrial raw material that offers significant potential for value addition.

History of Maize

Native Americans in southern Mexico domesticated corn for the first time around 10,000 years ago. It is thought that the Balsas teosinte (Zea mays parviglumis), a wild grass, is the ancestor of modern maize. By the time Europeans arrived in North America, its culture had already reached southern Maine in the north, and Native Americans had shown European colonists how to cultivate local grains. Since Christopher Columbus and other explorers and colonisers brought corn to Europe, it has expanded to every region of the world that is appropriate for its growth. It is planted all over the world, with a corn crop reaching maturity somewhere almost every month of the year. It is farmed from 58° N latitude in Canada and Russia to 40° S latitude in South America. It is often regarded as a staple food and the most significant crop in the United States.

Maize Climate Requirements

In essence, maize is a warm-weather crop. It is grown under very dissimilar environmental circumstances in different regions of the world, spanning from tropical to temperate areas. It is extensively grown everywhere between sea level and 2,500 metres above sea level. Where the nighttime temperature does not drop below 15.6 degrees Celsius, it can be cultivated well. At any point in its development, it cannot survive freezing. Its cultivation in India ranges from the humid hills of Assam and Bengal to the hot, desert Plains of Rajasthan and Gujarat (receiving over 400 cm of rainfall).

Maize Soil Requirements

Ferile, deep, and well-drained soils are necessary for maize. It may, however, be grown in a variety of soils, from light sand to deep, heavy clays. However, it is essential that the pH of the soil stays within the range of 7.5 to 8.5. Maize plantts are extremely sensitive to salinity and water, especially at the seedling stage. For the growth of this crop to be successful, appropriate drainage must be provided. The very heavy soils, which have good water holding capacity, have relatively poor drainage, in contrast to the very light soils, which considerably facilitated drainage but have a very poor water holding capacity. Therefore, the best soils for maize growth should have a sufficient ability to hold water and should also have efficient drainage. Since the majority of the maize varieties produced in India reach maturity within 80 to 95 days, a sufficient amount of soil moisture is necessary to support the rapid rate of growth. Salinity can affect maize plants, especially when they are still seedlings. The uptake of nutrients can be significantly influenced by soil salinity. Maize is susceptible to waterlogging as well. In light of this, it is crucial to provide appropriate drainage for economic production.

Maize Farming Techniques

Maize is grown in three different seasons: the primary one is kharif, although it is also grown in Peninsular India, Bihar, and northern India during the spring. The spring and Rabi harvests both recorded higher yields. Effective water management and a drop in disease and insect incidence are the main causes of the greater yields. The plants in a row are set 20 to 25 cm apart, while maize is sown in rows 60 to 75 cm apart. For the best yield, a plant population of between 60 and 75 thousand plants per hectare must be present during harvest. Typically, seed is dropped behind the plough or sown in rows using a drill. In many regions of the country, the technique of broadening is still common, particularly in rain-fed environments and for maize used for fodder. For the grain harvest, 17 to 20 kg of seed is required, and for the fodder crop, 35 to 40 kg.

The majority of India sows maize during the kharif season as soon as the monsoon season starts, though the precise dates vary from area to area. Early March is the best time to seed it in the north-eastern hills, followed by the north-western hills in April to early May, Peninsular India in May, and the Indo Gangetic Plains in late June to early July. In some irrigated areas of Punjab, the late sowing of corn may last until late August. In Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, spring corn is sown in late January to late February and in Karnataka it is planted in late October to early November. Crops are more or less irrigated-raised for both the spring and the Rabi seasons.

Maize Physiology

The average height of a maize plant is 3 m (10 ft), although some naturally occurring variants can reach 13 m. (43 ft). The stem typically has 20 internodes that are each 18 cm (7 in) long. The leaves grow from the nodes, are arranged alternately on the stalk’s opposite sides, and have complete margins. The tassel, an inflorescence of male flowers, is where the stem’s apex ends. Anthers on the tassel dehisce and produce pollen when it is mature and the environment is suitable warm and dry. In the centre of the plant, between the leaf and stem sheath, ears grow over a few of the leaves. They are female inflorescences that are securely encased in a number of ear leaf layers known as husks.

At the end of the ear, elongated stigmas known as silks protrude from the whorl of husk leaves. They resemble hair tufts and are frequently 18 cm (7 in) long and pale yellow. Each has a carpel at the end that, if fertilised by a pollen grain, might grow into a “kernel.” The cob is made up of the roughly pea-sized grains that are arranged in straight rows all around a white, pithy material. Typically, an ear has 600 kernels. They come in a range of hues, including greyish black, purple, emerald green, bright red, and yellow. Maize produces more flour when processed into flour than wheat does while using far less bran. Since it lacks the gluten protein found in wheat, it produces baked foods with inferior rising capability. Sweet corn is a genetic variety that produces more sugar and less starch in the ear and is eaten as a vegetable.

Maize Crop Development

Typical maize plants grow 18 to 22 total leaves, start to produce silk about 55 days after emergence, and reach maturity in about 125 days. However, the precise time frame can change depending on the hybrid, the environment, the planting date, and the location. Therefore, these conditions determine how long there will be between each growth stage.

1. Germination: Rapid development and growth of embryonic leaves through the coleoptile tip. Growth of the seminal roots slows down, and nodal roots start to form at the crown.
2. First leaf collar: A leaf collar is apparent on the lowest leaf, which is short with a rounded tip. Nodal roots start to become longer.
3. Third leaf collar: The expansion of the seminal root system has stopped, and lateral roots are starting to sprout from the nodal roots. At this stage, the plant starts to generate all of its leaves and ear shoots.
4. Seven leaf collar: The beginning of the rapid growth stage and kernel row selection.
5. Ten leaf collar: The stalk is absorbing nutrients and dry materials during this phase of rapid growth. The stalk is still growing longer, and the tassel has started to grow quickly. The stalk can be easily dissected to reveal several ear shoots.
6. Tasseling: When the final branch of the tassel is seen and the silks have not yet developed, this stage begins. This phase starts a few days or so before silk emergence. Anthesis, or the beginning of pollen discharge, occurs as the plant approaches its full height. Usually, pollen is shed in the morning or evening.
7. Silking: Once any silk is observable from the husk outside, this stage starts. Falling pollen grains are caught by the silk, which allows them to grow along the silk over the course of a day, fertilising the ovule in the process. An ovule develops into a kernel. All of the silks on one ear must be exposed for up to three days in order to be pollinated. At this stage, the quantity of fertilised ovules is determined.
8. Physiological Maturity: The maximum dry weight of every kernel on the ear is reached 45 to 50 days after silking. Where the kernel joins to the cob, a black or brown coating has formed, signifying that physiological maturity has been reached. Although the plant’s stalk might still be green, the tissue of the leaves and husks has turned brown by this point.

Maize Crop Diseases

Below is a list of predominant diseases of maize across India:

1. Turcicum leaf blight
2. Banded leaf and sheath blight
3. Bacterial stalk rot
4. Maydis leaf blight
5. Charcoal rot
6. Fusarium stalk rot
7. Rajasthan downy mildew
8. Curvularia leaf spot
9. Common rust
10. Polysora rust
11. Sorghum downy mildew

Maize Growing Environments

Maize may be grown in a variety of environments. It is generally a warm-climate crop with sufficient rainfall. The majority of the crop is grown in humid subtropical and warmer temperate climates. It is primarily grown in the Andes and Mexico between 50°N and 40°S and from sea level to 4000 m. In the maize area, 200 mm of seasonal precipitation is the lowest. However, the research that is now available suggests that maize as a solely rainfed crop may be problematic in locations with a mean annual rainfall of 400 mm and that irrigation seems to be essential for realising good yield even in areas receiving 600 mm of rain. Its cultivation is spread across India, from the arid plains of Rajasthan and Gujarat to the moist hills of Assam and West Bengal, which receive more than 4000 mm of rainfall annually. In India, maize can be grown from 12° to 30°N latitude. From 49 metres in Bihar to 1,250 metres in Himachal Pradesh, the altitude varies.

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Maize Economy

More maize is grown every year than any other grain thanks to widespread cultivation around the globe. The United States accounted for 31.0% of the world’s 1.16 billion tonnes of production in 2020, which was the highest level ever. China accounted for 22.4 percent of global production.

Top 10 Maize Producing Countries

1. United States
2. China
3. Brazil
4. Argentina
5. Ukraine
6. India
7. Mexico
8. Indonesia
9. South Africa
10. Russia

Top Maize Producing States in India

While Andhra Pradesh has historically been the largest maize-producing state in India, other states are catching up.

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Karnataka
3. Rajasthan
4. Maharashtra
5. Bihar
6. Uttar Pradesh
7. Madhya Pradesh
8. Himachal Pradesh
9. Punjab
10. Gujarat

Major Maize Producing States in India

Image Credit: farmer.gov.in

Indian Maize Growing Zones

Maize as a Food

In many parts of the world, maize and cornmeal (ground dried maize) are basic foods. Cornstarch, a staple of home cooking and other processed food items, is made from maize. In addition to being fermented and distilled to create grain alcohol, maize starch can also be hydrolyzed and enzymatically treated to create syrups, specifically high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener. Cornbread and other baked goods are made with corn flour. The main ingredient in Mexican food is maize. The main component of tacos, quesadillas, chilaquiles, enchiladas, tostadas, and a variety of other cuisines based on maize tortillas, tamales, pozole, and atole. In many cultures, coarse maize meal is cooked into a thick porridge.

Maize Nutritional Information

Maize Health Effects

The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are among a wide variety of essential antioxidants found in corn. These improve vision by removing dangerous free radicals from the optic tissues. Because it contains specific essential amino acids, corn is a special plant-based source of high-quality proteins. Since corn is naturally gluten-free, it can be easily substituted for wheat and is frequently suggested for those with celiac disease. Corn, a wonderful source of natural calcium, helps growing children’s bones. Additionally, it helps older individuals regain their ideal bone density, easing the symptoms of osteoporosis. While younger folks can consume maize on a regular basis, middle-aged and older adults should limit their consumption to specific serving sizes to support bone health and prevent gastrointestinal and kidney problems. Corn contains a lot of phytates, tannins, and polyphenols, which are plant compounds that slow down the digestive process despite being abundant in calories and carbohydrates for quick energy. People with diabetes mellitus who have high blood sugar are helped by this. Iron-rich foods like corn are a blessing for persons with low blood haemoglobin levels since they successfully alleviate anaemia.

Due to the higher levels of the amino acid tryptophan, eating maize in moderation on a regular basis helps to improve nerve impulse transmission, activate memory regions in the brain, and calm the mind. Since maize is totally free of sodium and cholesterol, people with heart conditions can safely eat recipes that need cornflour. Corn is the ideal food to satisfy a growing child’s dietary needs because of its comprehensive nutritional makeup. Corn aids in lowering high blood pressure and efficiently treating cases of hypertension because it contains a lot of the mineral potassium, which serves as a crucial electrolyte in the body. Because corn has such high levels of fatty acids, it should only be eaten in moderation. Food prepared in corn oil should be avoided by those who are normally at risk for heart disease since it can hasten the onset of their conditions. In many countries, corn syrup is recognised as a major contributor to obesity and is regarded as being worse than sugar.

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