Nutritional Needs Of Maize Crop and Application Of Fertilizers

 

Maize rewards so much nutrition to our body but do you know where maize gains the food? Well, it gains nutrients from the soil, indicating the first requirement for maize farming. Only premium quality soil can take the load of maize, and to maintain the nutrient level of soil, it needs a regular boost.

Nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic fertilizers will rejuvenate soil fertility and soil nutrition. The maize crop is a stable food option and a significant crop for farmers in many parts of the world.

Let’s read about the fertilizers that are best for both soil and maize crops.

Table of contents

Nutritional needs of maize crop

NPK and other nutrients for growth

Manure & compost

Fertilizer for irrigated and rainfed maize crop

FAQs

1. What is the pre-treatment of biofertilizer and seeds?
2. What are the options available in the Organic management of nutrients?
3. What is the ratio of NKP for maize crops?

Nutritional needs of maize crop

Maize crop requires high-level nutrition from soil which needs premium quality fertilizers. Perform a soil test before adding the proportion of fertilizer to the ground. Maize crop needs

40 % N, 25% P,  20% K, and the remaining small portion of micronutrients for better and high yield.

NPK and Zn are the best sources for crop growth and a good yield of maize, either organic or inorganic fertilizer, is required for the entire crop growth period. Fertilizer requirements for the maize crop will be based on selected varieties.

NPK and other nutrients for growth

Apply recommended NPK fertilizers as per soil test. If there is no soil test then adopt a blanket recommendation of 27.4 kg N, 4.8 kg P, and 18.4 kg K. per acre. 

check for the extra husk or crop residue and organic waste present in the soil then we have to give nutrients as per the requirement of the soil and crop. Excess nitrogen can degrade soil fertility, and crop growth and reduce the yield of the crop.

Phosphorus helps in the overall development and root growth of crops. It also reduces resilience and frostbite.

Potassium plays a vital role in regulating water, and sugar in the crop. Potassium is essential at the mid-stage i.e., cob initiation and silking stage of maize crop.

The application of micronutrients, like calcium, sulfur, Magnesium, Boron, and zinc are great nutrients required for crops and soil which will help in the retention of soil fertility and also increase the crop yield. 

Manure & Compost

To increase the productivity of the maize crop, well-decomposed compost is necessary. Mix the soil with  FYM of 4-5  tonnes per/acre 25 days before sowing the crop in order to increase soil fertility, crop growth, and crop yield. 

Fertilizer requirement for irrigated and rainfed maize

For Irrigated maize, choose FYM or compost at  4-5 tonnes per acre during land preparation before sowing, application of 1-2 kg of Azospirillum will help in increasing the soil fertility for good crop growth. 

Follow the same amount of FYM or compost or coir pith in rainfed soil and spread it. Next, take ten packets of Azospirillum and phosphobacteria, or 4 kg of Azophos, and leach in the ground. Rainfed maize crop needs more fertilizer than compared to irrigated maize crop.

FAQs

Q1. What is the pre-treatment of biofertilizer and seeds?

Ans. Seeds must be treated with 600g/ha of Azospirillum and phosphobacteria. 

Q2. What types of organic fertilizers are used to improve the nutrients in maize crops by adding soil?

– There are the best four fertilizers options that can help the growth and add the right amount of nutrients for the maize crop:-

• Green manuring.
• Application of soil Azospirillum/Azotobacter with VAM and PSB.
• add straw or compost and leave 10-30% of crop residues like wheat, paddy, and maize crop.
• Pre-treatment of regular and hybrid seeds.

Q3. What is the ratio of NPK for maize crops?

– Make sure to check the requirement of NPK in the soil and prepare a balanced mixture of 140 N, 65 P, and 50 K – Kg/ha-1.

Note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing herein shall be construed to be financial or legal advice. Pesticides are a considerable risk of loss in crops and viewers are advised to do their own research before making any decisions.