Spread 12.5 t/ha of FYM, compost or composted coir pith evenly on the unploughed field along with 10 packets (2000 g/ha) of Azospirillum, and incorporate it into the soil. Plough once with a disc plough followed by cultivator ploughing twice, until a fine tilth is obtained.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize (irrigated) – FYM & field preparation, p. 104
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Ridges and furrows
Form ridges and furrows with sufficient irrigation channels. Ridges should be 6 m long and 60 cm apart. If ridges are not made, form beds of 10 m² or 20 m² depending on water availability.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize (irrigated) – Forming ridges and furrows, p. 104
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Seed rate and spacing
Select good quality seed. Seed rate: 20 kg/ha for hybrids and 25 kg/ha for varieties. Irrigated maize: 60 cm between rows and 25 cm between plants (6–7 plants per m²). Rainfed maize: 45 cm between rows and 20 cm between plants (10–11 plants per m²).
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize – Seed rate & spacing, pp. 107 (irrigated), 112 (rainfed)
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Sowing, thinning and gap filling
Dibble the seeds at a depth of 4 cm along the furrow in which fertilizer was placed, and cover with soil. Put one seed per hole if germination is assured, otherwise two. If two were sown, keep only one healthy seedling per hole and remove the other 12–15 days after sowing. Where seeds have not germinated, dibble pre-soaked seeds (2 per hole) and irrigate immediately.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize (irrigated) – Sowing, thinning and gap filling, p. 108
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Intercropping
In the source region, maize + cowpea or maize + blackgram intercropping is recommended for higher net returns in red lateritic soils, and maize + red gram for Vertisols (black soils).
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize (rainfed) – Cropping systems, p. 112
