PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY BY SOWING MAIZE IN AUGUST WE CAN GET GOOD YIELD: PAU EXPERTS

LUDHIANA, JULY 29:-----





The maize crop is becoming suitable alternate for reducing area under paddy, and its cultivation is recommended by Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) in spring summer, kharif and winter seasons. According to maize experts of PAU, Dr.Surjit Singh, Dr Jasbir Singh Gill and Ms Gurpreet Kaur maize crop can be successfully grown in August for profitable grain yields. August seeding of maize is required when there are some dilatory factors which delay sowing of kharif maize, as in fields vacated by early kharif/summer fodders, etc. Dr. Singh informed that after intensive research, university have approved the successful cultivation of August sown maize for grain purpose also. So to ensure desirable profits from August sown maize the following recommendations should be adopted to obtain good yields.

According to experts university had recommended three varieties of maize for August sowing viz. PMH-1, PMH-2 and JH 3459. The average yield of these varieties is 21q,18q and 17.5q/acre, respectively. Amongst these varieties PMH-1 takes 115 days while the other two varieties matures in 100 days. As the sowing time succeeds towards the end of August, crop duration increases gradually due to fall in temperature near maturity. Eight kg seed is sufficient for one acre and seed should be treated with Bavistin/Agrozim/Derosel @ 3/kg seed.

The scientists further informed that flat sowing or seeding on slope of 60 cm apart ridges at the height of 6-7cm should be adopted. This method saves from the damage of stagnant water. Line to line spacing should be 60 cm and plant to plant 20 cm in PMH-1 and 15 cm for other varieties. If the plant density is more than the recommended spacing, thinning should be done at the time of hoeing. To vacate the field of maize for timely sowing of wheat, this crop should be sown in the second fortnight of August.

The scientists further elaborated that Weeds can be controlled by giving two hoeings at 15 and 30 days after sowing with the help of kasoala or khurpa, or bullock/tractor cultivator. To control weeds with herbicides, Atrataf 50 WP (Atrazine) is recommended for use as pre emergence @ 800 g/acre for medium to heavy textured soils and this dose should be reduced to 500 g/acre for light textured soil. This herbicide should be sprayed within two days of sowing using 200 litres of water by using with flat fan or flood jet nozzle. Where motha and other broadleaf weeds are a problem, post emergences application of 2,-4 D Amine salt at rate of 400 ml/acre is recommended to control these weeds. Where is a problem of hardy weeds like bans patta, Arechne gha and Koan makki mixture of 600 g/ Atrataf+ one litre Stomp or Treflan or Lasso (pre emergence) within 2 days of sowing.

Scientists advised to give preference to alternate nutrient resources like green manure, FYM, poultry manure vermicompost, etc. at least for the basal dose. Before sowing field should be green manured with dhaincha or cowpea or sunhemp by using a seed rate of 12,20, 20 kg/acre, respectively. If both green manuring or organic manure application is not possible then fertilize the crop with 50 kg N, 24kg P2 O5 and 12 kg K2O respectively which can be fulfilled through 110 , 55 and 20kg urea, DAP and muriate of potash, respectively.

Harvest the crop when colour of cobs turns brown but the plant leaves are still in green. The cob can be shelled with thresher when there is 15% moisture is grains. By following the recommendations made by the scientists of university a good yield can be made by sowing Maize in the month of August.


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