INTRODUCTION
Maize is a popular kharif fodder in Pakistan and finds much use as fodder for livestock and poultry. The crop can be harvested in 60 - 65 days and it can be grown in most parts of the country. The green stalk has high carbohydrate contents so it is an enchanting feed for poultry. Hybrid seed should not be used for fodder purposes because they have less foliage, and short stature with less nutrition.
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| Maize (Zea mays L.) |
VARIETIES
Neelum, Akbar, Sargodha 2002 and Sultan. Sargodha 2002 is a new promising variety. It can remain green in the field for longer duration of time and the production can also be increased to 50 mand per acre with an average yield of around 600 mands per acre.
SOIL REQUIREMENTS AND PREPARATION
The fodder grows well in well irrigated loams and gives low yields in areas with high rainfall. The soil can be prepared by ploughing 4 times followed by planking each time.
TIME OF SOWING
March - September
Good crop stand is possible when sown in early March and July or else the yield will be reduced.
FERTILIZER REQUIREMENTS
At sowing: 1 bag of DAP + 1/2 bag of potash
When crop is 1.5 - 2ft tall: 1/2 to 1 bag of urea
Leaf littre can be added 1 month before seedbed preparation and mixed well by ploughing.
SEED RATE
40 - 50 kg/acre healthy seed is used for fodder purposes.
10 - 12 kg/acre healthy seed is used for seed purposes.
To get thinner plant seed rate can be increased. It has been noticed that fodder with thin stem is more popular in the market.
METHOD OF SOWING
Usually seed is broadcasted. But to get better crop yield the seed can be sown with row to row distance of 1 foot by a seed drill.
For seed purposes, row to row distance should be 2 to 2.5 ft. The seed should be sown in wattar condition to get better crop yield.
IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS
First irrigation should be done after 3 weeks of sowing. Later, irrigate the field according to the crop requirements. It should be kept in mind that no water remains in field or else plants will die.
HARVEST AND YIELDS
The fodder crop should be harvest when 50% of the flowers are apparent. The crop is ready to harvest in 55 - 65 days. Yield depends upon the variety used like mentioned earlier if good variety is used and all the cultural practices have been done properly yields upto 500 mands per acre can be obtained.
