Field Crops> Maize> Water Management

Maize is very susceptible both to excess water and moisture stress. Never allow water to stand in a maize field at any stage of its growth. Water stagnation even for six hours continuously and sufficiently damage the crop. Maize can tolerate heavy rains, provided water does not stand in the field for long periods. Therefore, drain away excess water by making a drain of adequate capacity at the lower end of the field.

A good crop of maize require about 460 to 600 millimetre of water during its life cycle. Do not allow maize plants to wilt due to water shortage at any stage of the life cycle. Tasselling to silking stage is critical. At this stage water shortage even for 2 days can reduce maize yields by about 20 per cent. The same for 6-8 days can pull down the yield by 50 per cent. Irrigate the crop whenever it is needed.