Fertilizer (irrigated, when soil test is not available)
If a soil test recommendation is not available, adopt the blanket recommendation of 135:62.5:50 kg NPK per hectare for varieties and 250:75:75 kg NPK per hectare for hybrid maize. Apply a quarter of the N and the full P2O5 and K2O basally before sowing, half of the N on the 25th day, and the remaining quarter of N on the 45th day, placed along the furrows and covered with soil.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize (irrigated) – Fertilizers & top dressing, pp. 105, 108
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Zinc and iron
In zinc-deficient soils, apply zinc sulphate at 37.5 kg/ha for hybrid maize and 25 kg/ha for varieties. For zinc and iron deficiency seen in plants, spray 0.5% ZnSO4, or 1% FeSO4 + 0.1% citric acid, three times on the 30th, 40th and 50th day after sowing.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize (irrigated) – Application of micronutrient, p. 107
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Hoeing, weeding and earthing up
Hoe and hand-weed on the 30th day after sowing. Earth up and form new ridges so that the plants come directly on top of the ridges; this gives the plants extra anchorage.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize (irrigated) – Hoeing, hand-weeding and earthing up, p. 108
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Pre-emergence herbicide
Apply atrazine at 0.50–0.75 kg/ha as pre-emergence on the 3rd–5th day after sowing, with a flat fan nozzle and 500 litres of water per hectare, followed by one hand weeding on the 30th–35th day. Apply herbicide only when there is sufficient soil moisture, and do not disturb the soil afterwards. If a pulse crop is to be raised as an intercrop, do not use atrazine; spray pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha as pre-emergence on the 3rd–5th day instead.
Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize (irrigated) – Weed management, p. 108
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Irrigation (irrigated crop, heavy soils)
Maize is sensitive to both moisture stress and excess moisture. Ensure optimum moisture during the most critical phase, 45 to 65 days after sowing, or yield will fall considerably. Schedule for heavy soils: irrigate after sowing, with life irrigations on the 4th and 12th day; vegetative phase on the 25th and 36th day; flowering phase (irrigate copiously) on the 48th and 60th day; maturity phase (controlled irrigation) on the 72nd and 85th day.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize (irrigated) – Water management, p. 109
