As all we know that water is one of the most important input in crop production.
Water management plays an important role in proper plant growth.
Water management is very efficient in India that’s why the key to increase the productivity of maize.
When there is excess moisture in the initial stage, it harms the crop as maize is a sensitive crop to moisture.
At the stages of flowering & seed formation, it is necessary to provide proper water required to the crop because water stress at theses stages reduces the yield.
Due to water stress, there is reduction in yield by 40 to 80 percent.
Maize needs 5-6 irrigation for its proper growth during the rabi crop season.
- Two irrigation should be done up to flowering at an interval of 20-25 days.
- One irrigation at flowering stage
- Two irrigation should be done after flowering
- And last one at early grain filling stage
If there is a condition that only five irrigation available, then one irrigation (at vegetative stage) may be avoided & if only four irrigation are available then irrigation after the dough stage may be avoided.
First irrigation should be done after 30-35 days of sowing. Rest of the irrigation should be done at intervals of 20-25 days so that the crop can be protected from cold and frost.
One of the most important factor to determine the success of crop is proper availability of irrigation.
Water requirement for rabi maize is about 450-600 mm & for kharif is about 400-450 mm.
