Maize Introduction

Botanical Name : Zea mays L.

Family : Poaceae (alt. Gramineae)

Subfamily : Panicoideae

Tribe : Andropogoneae

Maize is one of the most important fodder crop particularly for milch animals. The crop is grown in over 0.9 million ha in different parts of the country throughout the year. It is a C4 plant having high fodder production capacity in short duration. Maize is generally grown in the areas with rainfall of 50 cm, but higher yields are achieved in 120–150 cm rainfall areas. It is susceptible to water logging. In the early stage upto 35 days after sowing, the crop is drought tolerant.