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
¿Es esta Maize (Corn)?
Sube una foto y nuestra IA identifica la especie con guía de cuidado y consejos de cultivo.
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.
Necrosis letal del maíz
La necrosis letal del maíz (NLM) es causada por la coinfección del Virus del moteado clorótico del maíz y el Virus del mosaico de la caña de azúcar. Los síntomas incluyen moteado clorótico, necrosis foliar desde los bordes hacia adentro, muerte prematura de la planta y mazorcas vacías. No hay cura. Use semilla certificada libre de NLM, controle vectores de trips y áfidos, practique rotación de cultivos y siembre variedades tolerantes.
Enfermedad del rayado del maíz
El virus del rayado del maíz (MSV) causa estrías amarillas estrechas y quebradas a lo largo de las venas foliares en maíz. Transmitido por chicharritas Cicadulina en toda África. La infección temprana causa enanismo severo y mazorcas estériles. Use variedades resistentes al MSV, controle chicharritas, evite la siembra tardía y arranque plantas infectadas temprano para reducir la fuente de virus.
Mancha gris de la hoja del maíz
La mancha gris de la hoja del maíz (Cercospora zeae-maydis) causa lesiones rectangulares gris-tostado delimitadas por las venas foliares en maíz. Prospera en condiciones húmedas con rocío abundante. Maneje con híbridos resistentes, rotación de cultivos, labranza para enterrar residuos y aplicaciones de fungicida con azoxistrobina o propiconazol en la floración si las lesiones exceden 5% del área foliar.
Mildiu
El mildiu produce parches amarillos angulares en la superficie superior de las hojas con crecimiento difuso gris-purpúreo debajo. Causado por oomicetos Peronospora o Plasmopara, prospera en clima fresco y húmedo. Maneje con variedades resistentes, aspersiones preventivas de mancozeb o cobre, buena circulación de aire y evitando riego por aspersión. Requiere agua libre para infectar — mantenga las hojas secas.
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.
