Zea mays
Sunlight
Full sun — requires maximum light for optimal yield. Does not tolerate shade.
Water
500-800 mm per crop. Critical water demand period is tasseling through early grain fill (VT-R2). Drought at silking causes severe yield loss.
Soil
Deep, well-drained loam or sandy loam. pH 5.5-7.0. High organic matter beneficial. Avoid waterlogged soils.
Temperature
Optimal 25-33°C. Growth stops below 10°C. Pollination fails above 38°C.
Humidity
Moderate. High humidity during grain fill promotes ear rots and mycotoxin contamination.
Season
Warm season — 80-140 days depending on variety. Plant after soil temperatures exceed 12°C.
Updated February 2026
এটি কি Maize (Corn)?
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Overview
Maize is the world's most produced grain by tonnage and a staple food for hundreds of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and parts of South America. It is used as food (maize flour, ugali, tortillas, posho), animal feed, and industrial feedstock (ethanol, starch). In Africa, maize is the most important cereal crop, providing 30-50% of calories in eastern and southern Africa. The crop is remarkably adaptable, growing from sea level to 3,000 m elevation and in rainfall zones from 400-2,500 mm. Major producers include the United States, China, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Maize is a C4 plant with high photosynthetic efficiency, making it one of the most productive crops per unit of water and land.
Plant Health
Maize (Corn) is susceptible to 4 known diseases. Early detection is critical — use the CuraPlant app to scan leaves and get an instant AI diagnosis.
Maize Lethal Necrosis
Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is caused by co-infection of Maize chlorotic mottle virus and Sugarcane mosaic virus. Symptoms include chlorotic mottling, leaf necrosis from the edges inward, premature plant death, and empty ears. There is no cure. Use certified MLN-free seed, control thrips and aphid vectors, practice crop rotation, and plant tolerant varieties.
Maize Streak Virus Disease
Maize streak virus (MSV) causes narrow, broken yellow streaks along leaf veins in maize. Transmitted by Cicadulina leafhoppers across Africa. Early infection causes severe stunting and barren ears. Use MSV-resistant varieties, control leafhoppers, avoid late planting, and rogue infected plants early to reduce virus source.
Maize Gray Leaf Spot
Maize gray leaf spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis) causes rectangular gray-tan lesions bounded by leaf veins on maize. It thrives in humid conditions with heavy dew. Manage with resistant hybrids, crop rotation, tillage to bury residue, and fungicide applications of azoxystrobin or propiconazole at tasseling if lesions exceed 5% of leaf area.
Downy Mildew
Downy mildew produces angular yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with grayish-purple fuzzy growth underneath. Caused by Peronospora or Plasmopara oomycetes, it thrives in cool wet weather. Manage with resistant varieties, preventive mancozeb or copper sprays, good air circulation, and avoiding overhead irrigation. It requires free water to infect — keep leaves dry.
Cultivation Guide
Plant at 75 × 25 cm spacing for optimal plant population (53,000 plants/ha)
Apply nitrogen in 2 splits: at planting and at knee height (V6)
Control weeds early — maize is most sensitive to competition in first 6 weeks
Scout for fall armyworm weekly from emergence through tasseling
Harvest when grain moisture is below 20% for safe storage
Store grain at <13% moisture to prevent aflatoxin and weevil damage
Companion Planting
Strategic companion planting reduces pest pressure, improves pollination, and can significantly increase yields.
Climate & Regions
Active climate zones for Maize (Corn) are highlighted below.
Tropical
Suitable
Subtropical
Suitable
Temperate
Suitable
Mediterranean
Not typical
Highland
Suitable
Arid / Semi-arid
Not typical
Specific Zones & Regions
Common Questions
Maize (Corn) grows best during the warm season — 80-140 days depending on variety. plant after soil temperatures exceed 12°c.. It requires optimal 25-33°c. growth stops below 10°c. pollination fails above 38°c. and full sun — requires maximum light for optimal yield. does not tolerate shade.. In tropical regions with consistent warmth, it can often be grown year-round with proper irrigation.
Maize (Corn) is commonly affected by Maize Lethal Necrosis, Maize Streak Virus, Maize Gray Leaf Spot and 1 others. Regular crop monitoring, good air circulation, avoiding overhead irrigation, and using disease-resistant varieties are the most effective prevention strategies.
Maize (Corn) grows best in deep, well-drained loam or sandy loam. ph 5.5-7.0. high organic matter beneficial. avoid waterlogged soils.. For irrigation: 500-800 mm per crop. critical water demand period is tasseling through early grain fill (vt-r2). drought at silking causes severe yield loss.. Maintaining proper soil moisture without waterlogging is critical — Maize (Corn) is sensitive to both drought stress and root rot from excess water.
Maize (Corn) grows well alongside bean, squash, groundnut. These companions help repel pests, improve pollination, or provide ground cover. Avoid planting near tomato, which can inhibit growth or share susceptibility to the same pests and diseases.
CuraPlant
Scan any leaf with your phone and get an instant AI diagnosis, treatment guide, and prevention plan — even offline.
