Maize

MAIZE QUEEN OF CEREALS

Insects are responsible for a huge damage to growing crops through feeding insects into the plant, HPM offers an array of insecticides used in india, and advices on dosage and best usage practices.

HPM has a range of herbicides highly capable of eradicating weeds and preventing their re-growth in maize cultivation, without much human labor.

Farmer take care of sowing.

HPM will take care of growing

PGR (Plant Growth Regulators) are one of many important inputs for the success of green revolution. . Use of PGR adds immensely to the possibility of healthy crops in irrespective of the conditions.

HPM provides a number products on PGR .

Fungi are one of the major cause of crop loss worldwide. HPM offers a number of Fungicide products to for plant protection from various fungi.

Brief Facts About Maize

MOST IMPORTANT CEREAL CROP

M

aize is one of the most versatile emerging crop shaving wider adaptability under varied agro-climatic conditions. Globally, maize is known as queen of cereals because it has the highest genetic yield potential among the cereals. It is cultivated on nearly 150 m ha in about 160 countries having wider diversity of soil, climate, biodiversity and management practices that contributes 36 % (782 m t) in the global grain production. The United States of America (USA) is the largest producer of maize contributes nearly 35% of the total production in the world and maize is the driver of the US economy. The USA has the highest productivity (> 9.6 t ha-1) which is double than the global average (4.92 t ha-1). Whereas, the average productivity in India is2.43 t ha-1. In India, maize is the third most important food crops after rice and wheat. According to advance estimate it is cultivated in 8.7m ha mainly during Kharif season which covers 80% area. Maize in India, contributes nearly 9 % in the national food basket and more than Rs. 100 billion to the agricultural GDP at current prices apart from the generating employment to over 100 million man-days at the farm and downstream agricultural and industrial sectors. In addition to staple food for human being and quality feed for animals, maize serves as a basic raw material as an ingredient to thousands of industrial products that includes starch, oil, protein, alcoholic beverages, food sweeteners, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, lm, textile, gum, package and paper industries etc.

3rd most important cereal crop in India Accounts for 9% of total food

Maize is the third most important cereal crop in India after rice and wheat.

It accounts for 9 per cent of total food grain production in the country.

There are many varieties of eld corn. These can be "dent" or "int" corns, both of which can also be dried and ground for homemade meal. Flint corn has a hard-shelled kernel and dent corn is somewhat hard-shelled, and the top of the kernel forms a characteristic dented shape when the ears are mature. Maize is cultivated for various purposes including grain, fodder, green cobs, sweet corn, baby corn, popcorn in peri-urban areas.

Corn and its by products are also found in many non-food items such as reworks, rust preventatives, glue, paint, dyes, laundry detergent, soap, aspirin, antibiotics etc.

Global scenario of Maize

..

............

............

CAGR 2.2 %

200

............

150

Mn hectare

160 120

............

............

.......... ............

145

160

159

159

164

171

176

177

4.6 5.5

145 5.2

5.2

5.0

4.9 4.8

40

5.0

5.2 4.9

4.8

5.4 5.6

0 2007-08

8 Countries

289.1 Million metric tons production

4.8 5.0

5.1

80

4.4

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

The crop has tremendous genetic variability, which enables it to thrive in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. Global production of maize has grown at a CAGR of 3.4 per cent over the last ten years. The area under maize cultivation in the period has increased at a CAGR of 2.2 per cent, from 146 Mn hectare to 177 Mn hectare, the remaining increase in production is due to increase in yield. Productivity of maize has increased at a CAGR of 1.2 per cent, from 4.9 MT/hectare

MT/hectare

Maize is a cereal crop which is cultivated widely throughout the world and has the highest production among all the cereals. The worldwide production of maize was more than 960 MnMT . It is an important food staple in many countries and is also used in animal feed and many industrial applications.

.......... ............

Indian scenario of Maize

10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0

Mn hectare

6.0

7.8 7.5

8.3

7.6 2.3

5.0

8.2

8.3

8.6

8.9

2.5 2.5

2.5

2.0

1.9

1.9

1.9

2.0 1.5

4.0 3.0

3.0

2.6 2.5

2.4

8.8

8.7

1.0

2.0

MT/hectare

Maize is grown throughout the year in India. It is predominantly a kharif crop with 85 per cent of the area under cultivation in the season. Maize is the third most important cereal crop in India after rice and wheat. It accounts for ~9 per cent of total food grain production in the country. Maize production in India has grown at a CAGR of 5.5 per cent over the last ten years from 14 MnMT to 23 MnMT in . There was a decline in production primarily due to drought that affected production of kharif crops in the country.

CAGR 2.5 % .... ...... ............

.......... ............

............

....

............

............

.......... ............

0.5

1.0 0.0

0.0 2007-08

6 States

42.1 Million metric tons production

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

The area under maize cultivation in the period has increased at a CAGR of 2.5 per cent from 7.5 Mn hectare to 9.4 Mn hectare in , the remaining increase in production is due to increase in yield.

Factors such as adaptability to diverse agro-climatic conditions, lower labour costs and lowering of water table in the rice belt of India have contributed to the increase in acreage. Productivity of maize (yield) has increased at a CAGR of 2.9 per cent from 1.9 MT/hectare to 2.5 MT/hectare. Introduction of Single cross hybrid (SCH) seeds coupled with adequate rainfall contributed to 20 per cent increase in yield.

State Wise Maize Acreage and Production.

Maize production is dominated by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, producing 38 per cent of India’s maize.

Nine states viz. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh , Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat account for 85 per cent of India’s maize production and 80 per cent of area under cultivation.

Area under hybrid seeds is estimated to be 60 per cent of the total area under maize cultivation.

Andhra Pradesh has the highest yield followed by Tamil Nadu due to majority of the area being covered under Single Cross Hybrids.

AREA UNDER MAIZE CULTIVATION

State RAJASTHAN MADHYA PRADESH

1.1 Mnhectare; 2.1 MnMT

MAHARASHTRA

0.9 Mnhectare; 2.6 MnMT

KARNATAKA ANDHRA PRADESH BIHAR

1.3 Mnhectare; 4.4 MnMT

0.8 Mnhectare; 1 MnMT

0.7 Mnhectare; 4 MnMT 0.7 Mnhectare; 4 MnMT

Good Agriculture Practices

Soil Management

Pest and Disease Management

Water Management

Sowing & Seed Treatment Harvest and Storage

Soil Management Maize is grown on a wide variety of soils ranging from fairly coarse sand to the heaviest of clays. It grows best on fertile, friable, well drained warm loam and silty loam soils, well supplied with organic matter and available nutrients. Maize can be grown under a wide range of soil reactions, but the optimum pH range is from 5 to 7. The soils in Southern transition zone are red sandy, red loamy, and laterite gravelly type. Eastern dry zone soils belongs to red loamy, red sandy and red lateritic type. In Central dry zone red sandy to red loams are the major types. In all the above soils, low organic matter content and coarse texture of the soil is hindering crop’s productivity. Thus, addition of organic manure helps in improving fertility status of soil besides improving the soil physical conditions.

The low organic carbon status of these soils limits the crop production, as organic matter not only supplies nitrogen but also helps in improving physical properties of soil. Hence, in these soils, liberal application of FYM in addition to nitrogenous fertilizers is essential for boosting the productivity. The ill-effects of crust formation in these soils can be prevented or reduced by keeping the surface moist, use of presoaked seeds, ridge planting, surface mulching, organic residue application and use of soil conditioners ……… etc.

HEALTHY SOIL LEADS TO HEALTHY AGRICULTURE

Climate Realization of such temperature range in Indian conditions in the traditional kharif season is not possible.

However, this type of climatic condition can be realized during rabi season. Under Indian condition kharif crop of maize is sown at a temperature in the range of 35-40 o C, which is very high.

Temperature below 12 o C and higher than 30 o C does not favour it’s cultivation. Wide variation in day and night temperature helps in higher production.

Maize crop can be cultivated on a very wide range of agro-climatic conditions.

However, moderate temperature with plentiful supply of water are most favourable. Higher temperature throughout the crop season curtail the total crop duration and lead to poor crop yield.

Sowing & Seed Requirement Maize crop is usually cuitivatea in inc., auring June to July, Sept to Oct and fan to Feb seasons. For seed production, sowing during Nov to Dec is suitable since seed maturity will not coincide with rainy season. In Maize farming propagation is done by seeds. One should adopt a plant-to-plant spacing of 10 cm and sow 2 seeds per hill. Should sow the seeds @ 1/3 rd of ridge from the bottom. Ploughing should be done to get ne tilth, it may take 6 or 7 ploughs. At least 13 to 14 tons of Farm Yard Manure per hectare should be spread across the eld or composted coir pith and apply 10 Azospirillum packets in the eld. Prepare furrows and ridges with 45 cm to 50 cm spacing to save the irrigated water.

10 to 11 kg of maize seed is required for sowing one hectare eld. To control any seed borne pathogens of downy mildew (fungal disease), should treat the seed with thiram or carbendazim @ 2 grams per kg seeds.

One day after seed treatment, should treat the seeds with 600 grams of Azospirillum with Ace gruel and shade dry for 15 to 20 minutes. Azosprillum help in xing the atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.

GOOD SEEDS MAKE GOOD CROP

ESSENTIAL PART OF AGRICULTURE

Water Management Maize crop is usually cuitivatea in inc., auring June to July, Sept to Oct and fan to Feb seasons. For seed production, sowing during Nov to Dec is suitable since seed maturity will not coincide with rainy season. In Maize farming propagation is done by seeds. One should adopt a plant-to-plant spacing of 10 cm and sow 2 seeds per hill. Should sow the seeds @ 1/3 rd of ridge from the bottom. Ploughing should be done to get ne tilth, it may take 6 or 7 ploughs. At least 13 to 14 tons of Farm Yard Manure per hectare should be spread across the eld or composted coir pith and apply 10 Azospirillum packets in the eld. Prepare furrows and ridges with 45 cm to 50 cm spacing to save the irrigated water.

10 to 11 kg of maize seed is required for sowing one hectare eld. To control any seed borne pathogens of downy mildew (fungal disease), should treat the seed with thiram or carbendazim @ 2 grams per kg seeds.

One day after seed treatment, should treat the seeds with 600 grams of Azospirillum with Ace gruel and shade dry for 15 to 20 minutes. Azosprillum help in xing the atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.

Pest And Disease Management

Pest Management Adult ies are shiny black and about 2mm long and look very similar to the bean y. The damaging stage is the white larvae (maggot) which feeds inside the stem. Infected stems are often red inside and a distinct zig-zag tunnel may be observed — with maggots or pupae inside. Apart from the exit holes, the maize plants will initially appear healthy on the outside.

Large infestations may cause wilting and may even cause plant death.

It is one of the serious pests of sorghum in India.

The Pest attacks the crop only in early stage of growth and infestation goes up to 80%. The high yielding hybrids are more susceptible to the attack of this y. The total loss in yield is sometimes as high as 60%.

It is the most destructive pest of maize .Pest is found throughout India. The young larvae rst feed on the leaves, making a few shot holes and then bore their way downwards through the central whorl as it opens. Stem borer infestation results in pinhole damage in the leaves initially and "dead hearts" subsequently.

Thrips are small insects, about 0.04 inch long. Adult thrips have two pairs of narrow wings which are fringed with hairs. Thrips are most noticeable and of greatest concern at two periods during the corn growing season: on young seedling plants and at ear formation.

Insecticide An insecticide is a substance used to kill insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against insect eggs and larvae, respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and by consumers.

Insecticides can be classiď€ ed in two major groups: systemic insecticides, which have residual or long term activity; and contact insecticides, which have no residual activity.

DON-3G (Carbofuran 3G) Dose = 13 kg/acre Mode of action = Systemic It is very effective against leaf roller, shoot and stem borer, aphid, jassid, thrips, gall midge.

It is also effective on hoppers in paddy, cotton, sugarcane, maize, millets, brinjal and others vegetables.

It is a broad spectrum carbamate insecticide, nematicide and miticide having systemic action.

Don is used against a variety of insect, pests, nematodes and mites damaging various crops.

DON-3G (Carbofuran 3G)

HITATOX (Phorate 10 % CG)

Dose : 12 kg/acre Mode of action = Systemic &Contact Phorate 10% G an organo phosphate compound with cholinesterase inhibition action.

Hitatox is highly effective against a wide array of insects, mites, and some nematodes.

It s systemic product majority used o maize, cotton, paddy, sugarcane, potatoes, soybean & wheat.

It can be incorporated into the soil by in furrow or drilling application. It gives knockdown and longer duration of pest control.

It is readily translocated through roots in the plant system. It also kills insects by contact and fumigant action. It is economical to use as single application provides effective pest control.

HITATOX (Phorate 10 % CG)

TAMMA ( Thiamethoxam 30% FS )

Dose : 8 ml/kg seed Mode of action = Systemic &Contact TAMMA is a systemic seed treatment insecticide.

TAMMA protects against target pests by interfering with receptors that transmit the message to continue feeding.

TAMMA acts on different sites of action in the insect.

TAMMA provides control of a wide range of early season sucking and chewing, leaf-feeding and soil-dwelling insect pests, such as aphids, wireworms, ea beetles, and leaf miners.

TAMMA is used to treat the seeds of corn, cotton, sugar beets, oil seed rape, canola, wheat, barley, soybeans, sorghum and other ď€ eld crops.

TAMMA ( Thiamethoxam 30% FS )

Herbicide A herbicide is a chemical substance used to control or manipulate undesirable vegetation, especially weeds.

Herbicides are extensively used in gardening, farming, and landscape turf management.

Herbicides are classiď€ ed into two categories: selective and non-selective. Selective herbicides kill speciď€ c unwanted plants while leaving desirable vegetation relatively unharmed.

Non-selective herbicides (total weed killers) kill all or most plant species

Weed Management Broadleaf weeds have distinct leaf shapes and surface characteristics that can be used in identication. The arrangement of leaves on stems can also be a useful identication aid

Digitaria sanguinalis is a species of grass known by several common names, including hairy crabgrass, hairy nger-grass, large crabgrass, crab nger grass, purple crabgrass .

Cyperus is a large genus of about 700 species of sedges, distributed throughout all continents in both tropical and temperate regions. They are annual or perennial plants, mostly aquatic and growing in still or slow-moving water up to 0.5 m deep. The species vary greatly in size, with small species only 5 cm tall, while others can reach 5 m in height.

Common names include papyrus sedges, atsedges, nutsedges, umbrella-sedges and galingales.

Echinochloa crus-galli is a type of wild grass originating from tropical Asia that was formerly classied as a type of panicum grass.

ATRAHIT (Atrazine 50% WP)

Dose : 400-800ml/acre Mode of action = Selective Systemic Herbicide A selective systemic pre and post emergence herbicide.

It is use to control annual grass as well as broad leave weeds.

It is absorbed principally through the roots & foliage.

It inhibits photosynthesis and interferes with other enzymatic activities.

It is used in combination with other herbicides.

ATRAHIT (Atrazine 50% WP)

HEERA SUPER (2,4-D Sodium salt 80% WP)

Dose : 500gm/acre Mode of action = Selective Post Emergence Herbicide

It is selective systemic phenoxy herbicide.

The product is used for the control of annual and perennial broad leaved weeds in a wide range of crops.

Readily absorbed by the roots.

Heera Super is used in narrow leaf crops to control broad leaf weeds.

HEERA SUPER (2,4-D Sodium salt 80% WP)

HEERA-44 (2,4-D Ethyl Ester 38% EC)

Dose : 1060ml/acre Mode of action = Systemic Post Emergence Heera-44 is a, safe and wide spectrum weedicide for the control of broad leaved weeds in many crops.

It is selective, systemic weedicides of Phenoxyacetic group. Apart from effectively controlling broad leaf weeds, these also control the Cyperus sp.

It is absorbed by the leaves and roots and translocated in to the weed plants.

Ensure sufď€ cient soil moisture at the time of application.

It should be applied between 30-40 Days of sowing/planting

HEERA-44 (2,4-D Ethyl Ester 38% EC)

HEERA-77 (2-4-D AMINE SALT 58% SL)

Dose : 344ml/acre Mode of action = Systemic Post Emergence

It is a selective broad spectrum post emergence herbicides.

It is used to control weeds in a variety of crops.

It is absorbed by the roots and foliage, act as a growth inhibitor.

HEERA-77 (2-4-D AMINE SALT 58% SL)

Fungicide Fungicides are biocidal chemical compounds or biological organisms used to kill fungi or fungal spores. A fungistatic inhibits their growth. Fungi can cause serious damage in agriculture, resulting in critical losses of yield, quality, and proď€ t.

Fungicides are used both in agriculture and to ď€ ght fungal infections in animals. Chemicals used to control oomycetes, which are not fungi, are also referred to as fungicides, as oomycetes use the same mechanisms as fungi to infect plants.

Diseases Management Physoderma is a fungus that appears in years with above average rainfall.

Infected leaves have numerous, small round or oval spots approximately ¼” in diameter. These spots are yellowish to brown and usually occur in broad bands across the leaf and can be misdiagnosed as eyespot. Look for dark purple to black oval spots on the leaf midrib to distinguish Physoderma from eyespot.

Chlorosis of leaf margins is the rst symptom of S. kunkelii infection, followed by reddening of tips of older leaves (some maize varieties do not redden). Small chlorotic spots appear 2-4 days later at the bases of newly developing leaves. In successive leaves above those bearing rst symptoms, the chlorotic spots coalesce to form stripes that extend towards the leaf tips until entire leaves are affected.

Stewart's wilt is a serious bacterial disease of corn caused by the bacterium Pantoea stewartii. This bacterium affects plants, particularly types of maize such as sweet, int, dent, ower, and popcorn.

Seed rot is one of the most common plant diseases. This refers to the sudden death of the plant seedlings. It is a fungal disease that might be carried in the seed or the soil.the roots of the plants will turn into either brown or black color in severe cases. There will be a sudden change in the color of leaves and the seeds stop germinating.

Z-SAFETY (Zineb 75% WP)

Dose : 600-800gm/acre Mode of action = Contact Fungicide Broad Spectrum fungicide with protective action. It is used on variety of fruits, vegetables, cereals and pulses.It is known for providing highest Zinc nutrition to the crop.

Broad-spectrum fungicide, which controls large no. of diseases with its multisite action. Z-safety sprays results in dark green colored healthy leaves & ultimately increase in yield.

Z-safety is safe to foliage. blossoms and fruits of many plants. It is an ideal tank mix partner with systemic fungicides which prevent the chances of resistance development against them.

For better disease management, it is always advisable to remember the maxim - PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE. Generally the sprays of Z-safety should start before the appearance of disease or at disease initiation.

Z-SAFETY (Zineb 75% WP)

HINDUSTAN M-45 (Mancozeb 75% WP)

Dose : 600-800gm/acre Mode of action = Contact Fungicide It is a broad-spectrum fungicide with protective action.The product is fungi toxic when exposed to air.

Broad spectrum disease control - Control diseases caused by all four major classes .

Kind of fungicides - Foliar sprays, seed treatment, nursery drenching.

Fit for resistance management - Multisite mode of action, the risk of resistance development is very low.

Cost effective - Cost beneď€ ts for disease control over non-EBDCs. Provide nutrients Manganese and Zinc as micro nutrients.

Environmentally Safe - Low persistence in environment as it rapidly degrades is soil and water, no leaching potential.

HINDUSTAN M-45 (Mancozeb 75% WP)

Plant Growth Regulator A growth regulator, plant growth regulator, or PGR, is a natural or synthetic chemical that is sprayed or otherwise applied to a seed or plant in order to alter its characteristics. They are sometimes referred to as plant hormones.

Growers can add PGRs to their crops in order to achieve a desirable goal, ranging from increasing insect and disease resistance to increasing root strength.

24 KARAT ( Gibberallic Acid 0.001% L )

Dose : 1.5-2ml/ltr of water 24 Karat is unique combination of Sea weed extracts and GA. Gibberellic Acid acts synergistically with plant metabolism and accelerates the growth functions of the plant.

Also improves the physiological efciency of the crop by stimulating the hormonal and enzymatic activities and increases the yield and quantity of the crop produce.

24 Karat mobilizes reserves in seed to germinating point leading to breaking of seed dormancy and faster germination 24 Karat stimulates cell division and elongation that causes internodes to stretch leading to better growth of the plant. Improves taste and quality of fruits , and enhances their marketability specic to crop.

Improves photosynthesis and plant metabolism, Improves leaf area and root system.

Regulates GA: ABA ratio leading to less ower and fruit drop. It increases stem length in owers grown for export.

24 KARAT ( Gibberallic Acid 0.001% L )

CHEERS ( Plant Bio Stimulant )

Dose : 50-100ml/acre It is L-Cystine based plant growth regulator available in the market. It is combination of all essential amino acids and vitamins required for the plant growth.

It helps in both vegetative and reproductive growth.

It helps to overcome stress condition. It helps in better owering , fruit development and yield.

Depending upon specic requirements of the plant it supplies the essential amino acids.

Enhances stomatal growth & chlorophyll synthesis. Promotes femaleness in dioecious owers.

Ensure better fruit quality thus ensure better price.

CHEERS ( Plant Bio Stimulant )

Adjuvant & Bio Fertilizer Aasra is a unique new generation worldwide spray booster and activator which make the agrochemicals such as Insecticide, Fungicide, Herbicide, Plant Growth Regulator, Fertilizer and Micronutrient perform better.

Bio fertilizers are deď€ ned as preparations containing living cells or latent cells of efď€ cient strains of microorganisms that help crop plants' uptake of nutrients by their interactions in the rhizosphere when applied through seed or soil.

AASRA (A Silicon Based Super Spreader)

Dose : 5 ml/ 15 lit. of water.

Aasra is a unique new generation spray booster and activator, having novel technology to farming community of India which makes the agrochemicals (Insecticide, Fungicide, Herbicide, Plant Growth Regulator, Fertilizer and Micronutrient) performs better.

Aasra solution spreads quickly, and provides enhanced spreading of agrochemicals on the leaf surfaces and leads to better spray coverage, which improves the efď€ cacy of the agrochemical used.

It is when added to spray water tank lowers the tension of spray water on leaf surface, which promotes the better spreading and penetration of Agro product.

Aasra is compatible with most agrochemical formulations and can be used on a wide variety of crops. It has improved deposition of the agro product which enhances its coverage and retention on foliage. It ensures the solution doesn't wash off even after immediate rain.

Aasra is designed in such a way that it ensures proper wetting of leaf surface, which makes the pesticide or agro product uptake and absorption rapidly by the plant.

It ensures the proper penetration of the agrochemical product into the plant by reducing the droplet sizes of the spray. It is suggested to uses Aasra with agrochemicals at 0.025%-0.1% dose. General recommendation is 5 ml/ 15 lit. of water.

AASRA (A Silicon Based Super Spreader)

HPM GOLD ( Mycorrhizal Bio- Fertilizer)

Dose : 4kg./acre HPM GOLD is unique product containing microbes as Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) and has broad spectrum action in granular form.

It contains granular spores and other propagules of VAM Mycorrhizal Fungi in a granular carrier and has broad spectrum fertilizer activity.

Due to high solubility in water it is absorbed rapidly through plants and roots, resulting maximum supply of compost and micronutrient to the crop.

HPM Gold improves the roots growth with excellent root setting, resulting greenness by vanishing yellowing in crop.

It helps in greater utilization of nutrients, and provides plant protection from disease causing organism to the root and also makes insect resistant plant. It is completely safe to use HPM Gold.

It also combats with the drought and stress loss by the crop. Its mycelial threads penetrate inward into the root, thereby increasing the surface area for absorption and translocation of essential plant nutrients including Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Calcium, Zinc and copper.

HPM GOLD ( Mycorrhizal Bio- Fertilizer)

Storage & Harvesting Maize can store for a considerable period in unprocessed form without undergoing deterioration. Its shelf life greatly depends on the prevailing ambient temperature and relative humidity, and other factors like the inherent moisture pests and diseases. Therefore, recommended post harvest handling and managing operations involve the manipulation of the above factors in order to obtain high quality maize grains. Quality control starts with harvesting.

Harvesting is the single deliberate action to separate the cob from its grown medium. The optimum time of harvesting maize is when the stalks have dried and moisture of grain as about 20-17%.

Requirements during the Harvesting Process Harvest maize as soon as it is dry but not overstay in eld it will be attacked by weevils if does and lodge. In addition to reducing post harvest losses, this will also release the eld for early land preparation. Keep the grain as clean as possible. Dry maize on cement oor or use tarpaulin to reduce chance of contamination. At home, do not rst heap the cobs in any room, kitchen or in the yard because this will expose them to all the dangers that cause post harvest losses. Transfer them to the drying place (like the crib) immediately.

Dry on concrete or canvas not on bare soil.

Storage Perfect storage hygiene is the basic prerequisite for successful storage. All hygiene measures are very simple, particularly effective and cheap. They can thus be perfectly performed by any farmer with little effort. Provide protection from common storage loss agents such as insect pests, rodents, moulds, birds and man. Maintain an even, cool and dry storage environment. The maize should be placed on pellets above the oor to avoid cold conditions that may lead to moulds . Should not allow re-wetting of grain by either moisture migration or rain. Offer reasonable protection from thieves. Be simple and inexpensive to construct using, where possible, locally available materials and skills. Be easy to clean and repair. Grain should be protected from rodent.

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