How Does Maize Grow

How Does Maize Grow

Baby Corn 

Botanical Name : Zea mays L.

Family : Poaceae / Graminae 

Chromosome No. : 2n = 20 

                                                                                     

Maize has the third place among the food crops grown in the world, due to which maize is called the 'Queen of Crops'. Maize is mainly grown for three purposes such as for grains, for fodder and for corn cobs. For the last three decades, it has been grown as baby corn. Vegetables or sweets etc. are made from baby corn. In India, it has been recognized as another non-traditional vegetable for export and food quality. Most of the demand for baby corn is not limited to big hotels but it is exported to foreign countries, earning foreign currency. Now it is being grown in states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar etc.

History and Origin - The birthplace of maize is Central America or Mexico, because most of its varieties are found in these two countries. The history of baby corn is much newer than maize. The story of its production is almost 3 decades old, when in 1972 the government of Thailand decided to promote 'baby corn' to improve the deteriorating economy of the country. As a result, this crop became very popular there in a very short period. The farmers there earned valuable foreign currency for their country in the production of this crop and are still doing so. Today Thailand is the country that exports the most baby corn in the world.

Climate - Climate has a special and important role in the successful production of baby corn, so it should be grown in a suitable climate. It can be cultivated from 58° North latitude to 40° latitude. It can be grown in places up to 600 meters above sea level. 21°-31° C grade temperature is suitable for its germination and growth. Its satisfactory yield is not obtained in areas with high temperature and low humidity. Due to the availability of diverse climate in India, cultivation of baby corn can be done easily almost throughout the year. In northern India, it can be easily cultivated in Kharif, Rabi and Zaid, but it cannot be grown in December-January due to low temperature.

Soil and Its Preparation - Deep fertile loamy soil with proper drainage is considered the best for getting abundant yield of baby corn. In sandy soil with low water holding capacity and heavy soil, the aeration capacity is reduced due to the ability to hold too much water. Therefore, these soils are considered to be obstacles in the production of baby corn. The pH value of the soil should be between 6-7. pH values less or more than this create obstacles in its successful production.

First ploughing should be done with a soil turning plough and leave it open for a few days so that the sun destroys the weeds and insects. After this, run the cultivator or harrow 2-3 times. After every ploughing, apply a leveller so that the moisture of the soil is preserved. Also, the soil becomes friable and level.

For sowing in the rainy season, ridges and drains should be constructed so that the excess rainwater can drain out properly and the plants can develop and grow well.

Improved Varieties

To get more yield from baby corn, it is essential that only improved varieties are grown. The qualities of some major varieties of baby corn are mentioned below. Therefore, only the variety grown in your area should be grown.

V.L. 42 - This is the variety that gives the highest yield in the shortest time. This variety is becoming popular day by day.

M.E.H. 114 - This variety is very early which gets ready in just 45 days. It is a high yielding variety.

Pusa Early Hi-1 - This variety has been developed by Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. This variety can be grown in both Kharif and Zaid seasons. This variety gets ready in 45-46 days.

Pusa Early Hi-2 - This variety can be easily grown in both Kharif and Zaid seasons. This variety also gets ready in 45-46 days.

Pusa Early Hi - 3 - This variety can be grown in both Kharif and Zaid seasons. This variety also gets ready in 45-46 days.

H.M. 4 - This variety was developed by Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University. It is an early variety. The grains are yellow in colour. This variety is suitable for growing in Haryana.

Manure and Fertilizers - Since baby corn is a crop that gets ready in a short time. Therefore, it requires a large amount of manure and fertilizers. It is very important to use salt and fertilizers after soil testing. In case the soil testing is not possible, use the following amount of manure and fertilizers per hectare-

Farm Yard Manure - 40-50 quintals

Nitrogen - 130 kg

Phosphorus - 75 kg

Potash - 75 kg

Farm Yard Manure should be spread evenly in the field before the final ploughing. At the time of sowing, 60 kg nitrogen, 75 kg phosphorus and 75 kg potash should be added. If there is zinc deficiency in the soil, then 10 kg zinc sulphate should be added per hectare.

30 kg nitrogen should be given 25-30 days after the crop grows and the remaining 30 kg nitrogen should be given 40 days later as top dressing in the standing crop.

Sowing - Baby Corn crop can be grown in Kharif, Rabi and Zaid.

Seed rate - 20-35 kg of seed per hectare is sufficient.

Method of Sowing - Baby corn is sown on flat beds or ridges. Rabi and Zaid crops can be grown on flat beds, whereas Kharif crops should always be grown on ridges. While sowing on ridges, the distance between rows should be 60 cm. The same distance can be maintained in flat beds as well.

Points to be noted - To get more production, only seeds with 85 percent germination capacity should be sown every year.

- Before sowing the seeds, they should be treated with thiram (2.5 grams of medicine per kilo of seeds).

- To protect the baby corn from cross-pollination of other corn plants, their isolation distance should be kept 1 kilometer. - 3 seeds should be sown at one place. There should be 1,80,000-2,00,000 plants per hectare.

Irrigation and Drainage

The high quality and productivity of baby corn depend on irrigation management. This crop is damaged by both low moisture and excess moisture.

Generally, irrigation is not required in Kharif crops. If there is no rainfall for a long period, then irrigation should be done as per requirement. On the other hand, due to excessive rainfall in rainy season, water accumulates in the field, as a result of which the crop turns yellow and dies. Hence, it is very important to make proper drainage arrangements in Kharif season.

Irrigation should be done at an interval of 5-7 days in summer and at an interval of 15-20 days in winter. While irrigating, it should be kept in mind that the soil absorbs the water completely and water does not accumulate, otherwise there is a danger of the plant falling when strong winds blow. Because corn is a shallow rooted crop.

Plant Protection

Weed Control

Many weeds grow along with the baby corn crop. Which compete with the crop for moisture, nutrients, space, sunlight etc., which results in adverse effect on the development and growth of the plants. Therefore, it is very important to prevent them. Weeds can be controlled in the following two ways -

(1) Weeding should be done to prevent weeds in standing crop. Keep in mind that deep weeding should not be done otherwise the roots of the plants will be cut. While weeding, soil should be put on the plants.

(2) Atrazine or Tafazan (50 percent soluble powder) 1.5-2.0 kg of a chemical called Simazine should be dissolved in 800-1000 liters of water and sprayed in one hectare immediately after sowing. It is very important to have moisture on the soil surface at the time of spraying. This destroys all types of weeds.

Insect Control

Termite - This insect attacks the plants immediately after germination or in its initial stage due to which the plant gets completely destroyed. The roots become weak and the plant falls on the ground.

- Before sowing, mix 25 kg of Lindane (1-3 DP) in the soil.

- In case of termite infestation in the standing crop, spray 2.5 liters of Chloropyriphos (20 EC).

Stem Borer - This is the most dangerous insect of baby corn. It controls the upper part of the plant. Its infestation occurs in June-July. Its attack becomes visible immediately after germination. This insect makes holes in the 15-20 day old plant and also eats its edges. The caterpillar of this insect makes holes in the stem's core and destroys it.

For its control, start spraying from the 10th day of crop growth and if necessary, do the second spraying after a gap of 10 days.

- First spraying should be done 10 days after crop growth at the rate of 500 ml solution per hectare.

- If necessary, second spraying should be done 20 days after first spraying by dissolving 500 ml endosulfan (35 EC) in 500 liters of water.

Note: All spraying should be done in the cob of the plant.

How To Germinate Maize Seeds

Disease Control

Seedling blight – This is a fungal disease, low germination or spotty growth, rotting of the plant from the ground surface, twisting are the main symptoms of this disease.

Stalk rot – This disease is caused by a fungus called Pythium aphanidermus. The main symptom of this disease is partial infection in the lower part of the stem, the lower parts of the infected plant become soft and the plant gets twisted at the place of infection, finally the diseased plant falls on the ground. The plant generally remains green. This disease occurs mainly due to lack of proper drainage system. This disease occurs in July-August.

Downy mildew -  This disease is caused by fungi named Pernosclero spp. philippines, P. saccharai or P. sadhai. Initially yellow stripes are formed on the leaves of the plants, which later turn brown or all the leaves turn yellow. The fungus is clearly visible in the morning.

Collective prevention of diseases

- Treat the seeds with 2.5 grams of thiram 75 DS per kg and then sow.

- When the crop is 5-7 weeks old, prepare a solution by mixing 150 grams of Captan and 33 grams of Stable Bleaching Powder in 100 liters of water and pour this prepared solution on the soil near the roots with the help of a sprinkler.

Plucking of male inflorescences

Plucking of male inflorescences is a very important and necessary agricultural work to get a good yield of baby corn. Male inflorescences usually start appearing on the crop after 40-50 days. As soon as male inflorescences appear in the field, they should be plucked every morning. For this, the plant is held with one hand and pulled upwards by holding it with the middle of the other hand giving it a slight twist. By this method, male inflorescences can be separated easily and the plant does not suffer any damage. Being nutritious, these male inflorescences can be used as animal fodder. By plucking the male inflorescences, the development and growth of the plants occurs at a faster rate and the weight of their corn cobs increases.

Picking of Cops – 3-5 days after picking of male inflorescence, fibers start emerging on the cobs of baby corn. Baby corn should be picked only 2-3 days after the emergence of these fibres. As far as possible, they should be picked in the morning because at this time there is more moisture and the temperature of the environment is also favorable. Picking should be done carefully so that their upper part and the leaves attached to it do not break. Picking should always be done with a sharp knife. If the baby corn is to be sent directly to the market, then picking should be done daily and if preservation is to be done, then picking should be done every third day.

Generally, picking of baby corn cobs of 4.5-10 cm long and 7-17 mm diameter is recommended but in some varieties, its cobs reach their standard size even before the fibers emerge. 2-3 cobs can be picked from one plant of baby corn.

Post-harvest Technology - The post-harvest technology of baby corn cobs is very simple but to maintain their quality, it is very important to keep some things in mind which are mentioned below-

If the cobs are allowed to ripen without damage and are stored at controlled temperature, then it can be kept safe for 7-16 days. If this is followed properly, then the problems related to post-harvest decrease in the quality of baby corn cobs. The following activities should be done after harvesting-

How Does Maize Grow

Quality criteria - The cobs should have uniformity in color, maturity, size and shape. Damaged cobs should be kept separately. If the leaves are also damaged due to any reason, then they should be removed.

Grading - For marketing purpose, corn cobs of 4.5-10.0 cm length and 17 mm diameter are considered best and their color should be light yellow. Corn cobs of smaller size should be separated.

Packing - This process is done after cooling. Its packing is done in 200 gm, 50 gm or 1 kg perforated plastic bags.

Storage - For their storage, 5° (196)7° C grade temperature and 90 percent humidity is required. It has been observed that at 30° C grade, 80 percent of baby corn perishes in 2 hours, whereas at 10° C grade, 50 percent of it perishes in 3 days and at 0° C grade, about 20 percent of it perishes in 4 days.

Transportation - Since baby corn gets destroyed very quickly, it is necessary to transport it in air-conditioned vehicles and also to protect it from sunlight, dust, wind and rain.

Yield - The yield of baby corn depends on the fertility of the land, the variety grown and the care of the crop. If baby corn is cultivated using the above method, then 3.0-4.0 tones of yield can be obtained per hectare. Apart from this, animals also get fodder.