Production Technology of Maize_Bangladesh

Production Technology of Maize_Bangladesh

Land and soil

A deep loamy soil, high in organic matter and plant nutrients is the best soil for maize

production. However, with proper management and fertilizer practices, the variety

can be grown successfully on any soil from loamy sand to clay. The soil should be

free from salinity and water logging. It can be grown successfully on soils with a PH

from 5.0- 8.0, but 6.0-7.0 is optimum. If the soil PH is low (below 5), liming might be

necessary.

Seed rate

The recommended seed rate is 20-22 kg/ha for grain crop but for a fodder crop seed

rate would be increased to 70-90 kg/ha. In Bangladesh, farmers use between 20 to 30

kg/ha seed. For Khoibhutta and Sweet Corn the recommended seed rate is 10-12 kg/ha.

Seed treatment

The most common fungicides used for seed treatment are Furadan and Arasan M.

Seed could be treated by 50 ml of Furadan 30% (seed treater), 2g of Arasan 75%

(wettable powder) and 12 ml of water per kilogram of seed. Seed can also be treated

by vitavax-200@2.5g/kg seed.

Time of sowing

Sowing dates should be chosen to avoid risky environmental conditions such as

excessively cool or hot temperatures and during heavy shower. In Bangladesh,

optimum time of sowing in rabi season is from mid October to 1st week of

December, in kharif I season from mid February to end of March.

Name of

Varieties Important Characteristics Crop

(Year of Release)

It is a top cross hybrid variety. Grain: Flint type and

yellow in colour. Anthocyanin colouration in 1st

leaf sheath: Medium. Almost resistant to diseases

and pests. Plant height in rabi: 185-225 cm. 1000-

grain weight: 370-390g. Grain yield: 9.0-11.5 t/ha

(rabi) and 7.0-7.5 t/ha (kharif). Duration: 145-150

days (rabi) and 100-110 days (kharif).

BARI

Hybrid

Maize- 10

(BHM10)

(2009)

It is a single cross hybrid variety. Grain: Flint type

and yellow in colour. Anthocyanin colouration in

1st leaf sheath: Medium. Almost resistant to diseases

and pests. Plant height in rabi: 170-205 cm. 1000-

grain weight: 375-390g. Grain yield: 10.5-12.5 t/ha

(rabi) and 7.5-8.0 t/ha (kharif). Duration: 147-153

days (rabi) and 100-105 days (kharif).

BARI

Hybrid

Maize- 11

(BHM11)

(2009)

Land Preparation

The variety can be cultivated with normal land preparation or with minimum or zero

tillage. Under normal condition four to five ploughings followed by laddering are

adequate for sowing.

Sowing method

Seeds should be sown in rows. Usually, sowing is done in furrows in light textured

soils and in ridges in heavy soils. In flood prone areas sowing can be done by

dibbling method under zero tillage conditions after receding of flood water. It is

recommended row to row 75 cm apart with a plant to plant spacing of 20 cm with

one plant per hill which gives 66,666 plants/ha.

Fertilizer application

Fertilizer application depends on fertility status of the soil where the crop could be

grown as well as the nutrient requirement of the variety. However, for composite and

hybrid varieties the dose of Urea, TSP, MP, Gypsum, Zinc sulphate and Boric acid,

respectively, are: 260, 177, 133, 97, 13.89, 5 and 543, 266, 200, 208, 13.89, 5 kg per

hectare. Time and method of fertilizer application influence maize yield. One third of

urea and other fertilizers should be applied at the time of final land preparation.

Remaining two third of urea should be applied in two installments: One-third at tassel

initiation (8-10 leaf stage) and the rest at about one week before silking or grain

filling stage. In case of dibbling method of sowing, initial dose of fertilizers can be

applied in the hole, 10 cm apart from the plants. The second and third doses of urea

can be applied at 8-10 leaf stage and one week before silking. For better yield, 5-7 ton

of cowdung per hectare should be applied.

Irrigation

The total amount of water required for the development of the variety varies with

local conditions. Generally, water requirement is higher in hot, dry and low rainfall

areas, and lower in cooler and more humid areas.

In rabi (winter season), residual soil moisture stored from monsoon can support a good

stand of maize seeds and dibbled during September and October in the flood-prone

areas, once flood water recedes. Water stress at the time of germination, floral

initiation, anthesis, and grain filling stage would reduce grains yield considerably. One

irrigation at each of these growth stages i.e. within a day of seeding; at 8-10 leaf stage;

a week before silking or grain filling stage, is necessary for high yield. Waterlogging

at any stages of growth is harmful so, drainage is essential for summer crop.

In kharif1 (summer season), there is no need to irrigate except during prolonged

drought period. However, if the crop is sown before rains, a pre-sowing irrigation is

required for germination and good subsequent growth. Under heavy rainfall

conditions, drainage should be provided.

3.3 Intercultural Operation

For a good stand of maize, thinning at crop establishment stage may be required. In

case of over-planting, thinning to a desired number should be done within two weeks

of germination or when the seedlings are about 15 cm tall. Care should be taken not

to disturb standing plants at the time of thinning operation.

Earthing up of plants is one of the most important operations in maize cultivation.

Earthing up means placing of soil near the base of the plant collected from the space

between the rows. This operation helps to provide anchorage of the lower whorls of

adventitious roots above the soil which then begin to function as absorbing roots. This

operation also prevents the plants from lodging. The furrows made out of this operation

could be used as drainage or irrigation channels, depending on the requirements. This

operation can be performed with the help of spade at the time of application of the

second dose of urea at 8-10 leaf stage of the crop.

Weed control is essential to ensure good harvest. In Bangladesh, weeds are not a

serious problem in the winter season but in the summer season weeding is necessary.

When the seedlings are about 2 weeks old, first weeding should be done. Another 2-3

weedings may be required depending on the degree of weed infestations during

different life cycle of the crop. Maize farmers of Bangladesh practice hand weeding

when weed infestation is very high.