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
Isso é Maize (Corn)?
Envie uma foto e nossa IA identifica a espécie com guia de cuidados e dicas 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.
Necrose Letal do Milho
A necrose letal do milho é causada pela co-infecção de MCMV e um potyvírus. Causa mosaico clorótico severo, necrose das folhas do centro para fora, morte do cartucho e necrose completa das espigas. Não há cura — controle com sementes certificadas livres de vírus, controle de tripes e cigarrinhas, variedades tolerantes e período livre de milho na área.
Vírus da Estria do Milho
O vírus da estria do milho é transmitido por cigarrinhas Cicadulina e causa estrias amarelas irregulares ao longo das nervuras das folhas. Infecção precoce pode causar perda total. Controle com variedades resistentes (gene msv1), semeadura no início da estação chuvosa, controle de cigarrinhas com imidacloprido e remoção de gramíneas hospedeiras ao redor do campo.
Mancha Cinzenta do Milho
A mancha cinzenta do milho é causada por Cercospora zeae-maydis. Produz lesões retangulares cinzentas delimitadas pelas nervuras das folhas. Favorecida por plantio direto sem rotação. Controle com variedades resistentes, rotação de culturas (pelo menos 1 ano sem milho), manejo de restos culturais e fungicidas à base de estrobilurinas na fase de pendoamento.
Míldio
O míldio é causado por oomicetos que produzem manchas amareladas na face superior das folhas e crescimento felpudo (esporulação) na face inferior. Favorecido por umidade e temperaturas amenas. Controle com fungicidas preventivos (mancozebe, metalaxil + mancozebe), boa circulação de ar, evitar molhamento foliar e variedades resistentes.
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.
