ABSTRACT
The maize is cultivated throughout the year in all states of the country for various purposes including grain, fodder, green cobs, sweet corn, baby corn, pop corn in periurban areas. Maize can be grown successfully in variety of soils ranging from loamy sand to clay loam. The maize improvement programme got a boost with the establishment of All India Coordinated Maize Improvement programme in 1957. A good crop of maize requires about 480–600 mm of water during its life cycle. Kharif maize sown before monsoon should be given a pre-sowing irrigation besides irrigation at 6-leaf stage. Weeds emerge with the germination of maize seeds and grow along with plants till the early growth period. This causes a severe crop weed competition to maize plants. Maize is harvested when husk is turned yellow and grains are hard enough with about 30% moisture.
