Maize can be grown successfully in variety of soils ranging from loamy sand to clay loam. However, soils with good organic matter content having high water holding capacity with neutral pH are considered good for higher productivity. It is sensitive to moisture stress particularly excess soil moisture and salinity stresses. It is desirable to avoid low lying fields having poor drainage.

The optimum temperature for maize growth and development is 18 to 32 °C, with temperatures of 35 °C and above considered inhibitory. The optimum soil temperatures for germination and early seedling growth are 12°C or greater, and at tasselling 21 to 30 °C is ideal. Critical temperature detrimentally affecting the yield is 32oC. It can be successfully grown in areas with annual rainfall of 60 cm, well distributed throughout the growing stages.

Hybrids: HQPM-1, Vivek Hybrid 9,Vivek hybrid 25,Vivek Hybrid 21, Vivek QPM
Composites: RCM 1-76 RCM 1-1, RCM 1-75, RCM 1-3 RCM 1-76, Vijay composite

One deep ploughing to a depth of 20-25 cm immediately after harvest to make the soil loose followed 2-3 harrowing

Kharif: Maize should be sown from middle of March to April and it is desirable to complete the sowing operation 12-15 days before the onset of monsoon. In rainfed areas, the sowing time should be coincided with onset of monsoon.
Rabi: September to October
Spring: First week of February

Treat seed with Captan 50 % WP @ 3 g/kg seed should be done to prevent the crop from the attack of seed borne diseases at initial stages.

To achieve higher productivity and resource-use efficiencies optimum plant stand is the key factor. The seed rate varies depending on purpose, seed size, plant type, season, sowing methods etc. The following crop geometry and seed rate should be adopted.

Purpose	Seed rate (kg ha-1)	Plant geometry (plant x row, cm)	Plant population
Grain(Hybrid/composites)	18-22	60 x 20 75 x 20	83333 66666

Well rotten compost or FYM @ 10-12 t/ha should be incorporated into the field about 25 days before sowing. A dose of 120 kg N, 60 kg P2O5 and 40 kg K2O/ha is recommended for Kharif maize crop. Nitrogen is to be applied in three equal splits. Full doses of P, K and 1/3rd of N should be applied as basal, 5-7 cm deep before sowing should be applied as basal while remaining two equal splits of N should be applied as top dressing at 30-35 days (or knee high stage) and 50-55 days after sowing(tassel initiation stage

Maize is susceptible both to excess water and moisture stress. Care should be taken to avoid water stagnation at any stage of its growth in the field. As per need of the crop irrigation should be provided. Young seedlings, knee high stage, flowering and grain filling are the most sensitive stages for water stress and hence irrigation should ensure at these stages.

Abundant rainfall in kharif encourages rapid weed growth. In order to reduce crop weed competition it should be kept weed free for 30-45 days after planting in order to achieve higher yield.

Earthing up is done when the plants are at knee high stage

Spray atrazine at the rate of 1.0 to 1.50 kg a.i/ha in 1000 litres evenly on soil after sowing Apply herbicide when there is sufficient moisture in the soil. Do not disturb the soil after herbicide application. If pulse crop is to be raised as intercrop, do not use Atrazine. Spray Pendimethalin at the rate of 0.75 kg/ha as pre emergence on 3-5 DAS.

Harvest maize crop when the husk turned yellow,papery and the grain are hard enough.
Fodder maize at pre-flowering stage, flowering stage for baby corn and milky to early dough stage for green ears. Cobs should be dried thoroughly in the sun before shelling or storing.

A well-managed crop with improved cultivation practices can give 3.0 to 6.0 t/ha