Package of Practices of Maize (Fodder)

Submitted by satyapriya on Fri, 12/04/2013 - 15:39

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Introduction

Maize is an ideal forage crop grown throughout the country. It is quick growing high yielding and supplies palatable and nutritious forage which can be fed at any stage of growth without any risk to animals. It can be fed as green or dry and makes excellent silage.

Maize produces good quality herbaceous fodder with high palatability. On average, it contains 9-10%CP, 60-64% NDF, 38-41% ADF, 23-25% Hemicellulose, and 28-30%Cellulose on dry matter basis when harvested at milk to early-dough stage.

Soil Conditions

Well-drained, leveled and fertile loamy soil with neutral to slightly acidic reaction is best suited for its growth. It is susceptible to water stagnation and moisture stress.

Varieties

Varieties	Areas of cultivation	Green fodder (t/ ha)
African Tall	Entire country	55-80
Vijai, Moti and Jawahar composite	Entire country	35-47
J-I006	Punjab	45-55
A-de cuba	North East	25-44
VL-54	Hilly areas	30-45

Cropping system

Cowpea is the preferred legume for mixed cropping with maize. For mixed crop 30 Kg maize+ 20 kg cowpea/ha should be sown in paired alternate rows (2:2). For mixed crop 35 Kg N+40 Kg P₂O₅/ha should be added at sowing time and another 35 Kg N at knee high stage of maize. Atrazine should not be used for weed control in mixed crop otherwise cowpea will also be killed.

Field preparation

One operation with soil turning plough followed by two cross harrowings and leveling are adequate to get a weed free and leveled seed bed.

Seed & Sowing

Maize has bold seed size. It requires 50-60 kg seeds depending upon size. Seed should be sown in lines spaced at 30 cm. For summer sowing in irrigated areas, last week of February to last week of March-April is the appropriate time. Rainy season crop is sown with the beginning of rains in June-July. Rabi crop is sown in October-November particularly in eastern and southern parts of the country. In hills sowing is taken up in May.

Nutrient management

100 Kg N+30 Kg P₂O₅ /ha is required for fodder maize. Half of the N dose should be given at sowing and remaining half at knee high stage of the crop. In zinc deficient soils (below 0.56 ppm Zn) 15-20 Kg zinc sulphate per hectare should also be broad cost at sowing.

Water management

The maize crop is comparatively MORE to sensitive to excess moist and stress. It requires 5-6 irrigations at 10-12 days interval during summer season, 3-4 during Rabi and 1-2 during rainy season when rainfall interval exceeds 12 days.

Weed management

At 3-4 weeks crop stage hoeing with weeder cum mulcher takes care of the weeds. Pre-emergence spray of Atrazine @ 0.75 to 1.0 kg a.i. /ha in 600 litres of water ensures effective control of weeds.

Disease management

Downey mildew, which can easily be identified with symptoms like narrow, chlorotic or yellowish stripe later developing in brown lesions. The disease is seed borne and may be escaped by seed treatment with Thiram@ 2g/kg seed. The bacterial stalk rot in which plant shows rotting from base of stalks upward or from the top downward. The soil trenching with bleaching powder@ 3g/10L water controls the disease. The brown spot in which lower parts of plants appear slightly bleached is caused due to water stagnation, drain of excess water controls the disease.

Insect pest management

The important & insects attacking the maize is shootfly shoot borer or cut warm. These can be controlled by spraying of Malathion.

Harvesting & Threshing

The crop is ready for harvest at silk stage for fodder purpose, which continues up to milk stage. The early harvesting though produce good quality fodder but yield is reduced. In case of late harvesting the fodder quality is impaired.

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Package of Practices of Maize (Fodder)

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