Tips to enhance productivity of August sown maize

摘要

In the present scenario of dominant rice-wheat cultivation, Punjab is facing multi-facet problems like lowering of water table, deterioration of soil health, increasing multi-nutrient deficiencies in soil, incidence of new insect-pests, etc. Maize isa suitable alternative crop to paddy. It has high genetic potential than other cereal crops due to which it is known as "miracle crop" or "queen of cereals". It is the third most important cereal crop in the world after wheat and rice, both as food for human consumption and as feed for livestock. Usually, farmers have a perception that only fodder crop is possible from August sown maize, but PAU has also approved the successful cultivation of August sown maize for grain purposes. Moreover, August sown crop produces more yield than kharif sown crop because of longer duration and less attack of insect pests and diseases. The recommended hybrids and other package of practices as recommended by Punjab Agricultural University are given below for its successful culltivation:Soil type: Well-drained sandy loam to silty loam soils, preferably rich in organic matter, should be preferred.