Maize is only known in the cultivated state and is believed to have originated in Mexico in prehistoric times. It currently has world wide distribution and is grown where summer ate reasonably warm.
Africa, Asia, and America are the most likely countries of origin. Processed corn is consumed as a snack or cereal by man and may also be used as silage to feed livestock.
Soil types preferred by maize
Some of the major soil types preferred by corn include alfisols, entisols and inceptisols. The soil PH in maize fields range from 5.8 to 6.5 in the alfisol and 6.2 to 8.1 on vertisols.
These soils are characterized by low organic carbon contents, weak soil profile development, coarse or medium textured upper layers of soil and low microbial load attributable to the low organic carbon.
The afisols are prone to high phosphorus fixation. Corn prefers deep, naturally rich, easily tilled soil. The soil should be free from restrictive layers (hard pan) and soils with PH lower than 4.5 should be avoided or corrected by the application of lime.
The most suitable soil type for maize is a soil with good effective depth, favourable physical properties (texture and structure), good drainage, optimal moisture regime and sufficient and balanced quantities of plant nutrients.
Method of cultivation
Maize is propagated from seeds. A deep, firm seedbed, free of clods and surface irregularities should be prepared preferably on moderately heavy to heavy soil. Soil should be worked and dialed about 3-4 weeks before planting, thus allowing for partial decomposition of organic materials.
Planting depth varies from 5-10cm, depending on the soil type. Planting should be shallower in heavier soils than in Sandy soils.
Weed control during the first 6-8 weeks after planting is crucial, as weeds compete vigorously with the crop for nutrients and water during this period.
The presence of weeds during harvest may hinder the process and transmit odors to grain which incurs additional cost for removal.
The visible sign of the maturing maize plant is senescence, dying back of leaves starting from the lower leaves and continuing upwards.
This is the period of grain drying which can progressively be monitored through the kernel milk line. The disappearance of the milk line denotes that the grain has reached physiological maturity. The appearance of the black layer at the tip of the kernel (detachment of kernel from cob) denotes harvestible maturity.
Major disease of maize
Some fungal diseases of maize include gray leaf spot (cercospora zeamaydis), anthracnose leaf spot (colletotrichum graminicola), common corn rust (puccinia sorghi).
Solution to diseases
The above fungal diseases can be managed by treating the seed with fungicides, planting when soil conditions are warmer and drier, use of proper planting depth, use of resistant hybrids and crop rotation.
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