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Programme : B. Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture Course Title: Crop Production Technology-I (Kharif Crops) Course Code: BSCAGCO301T22.

Learning Outcomes. Understand The Key Scientific Practices For Optimizing Maize Growth, Including Origin & History Soil & Climate Economic Importance Area Distribution & Classification Field Preparation Selection of crop and Variety Sowing time, Seed rate & Spacing.

[Audio] Objectives To Impart Knowledge About the Origin, Distribution, and Importance of Major Kharif Crops To Understand the Improved Cultivation Practices for Kharif Crops To Evaluate Different Varieties and Cropping Systems Suitable for Kharif Season To Develop Skills for Integrated Crop Management (I-C-M--) And Sustainable Practices To Familiarize Students with Common Weeds in the Kharif Crops and Post Harvest Management and Marketing Aspects..

[Audio] Overview Of Previous Lecture In previous lecture we discussed about Scientific practices for optimizing paddy yield involve an integrated approach that includes selecting high yielding and disease resistant rice varieties, adopting precise water management techniques like Alternate Wetting and Drying (A-W-D--), and applying balanced fertilization based on soil testing, Timely sowing, use of certified seeds and effective pest and weed management also play a critical role in boosting productivity. Incorporating mechanization, such as using seed drills and harvesters, enhances efficiency, while modern practices like System of Rice Intensification (S-R-I--) further improve yield potential..

[Audio] What is Cereals? The crop plants which belong to the Family Poaceae Grown for Edible starchy grains/seed called caryopsis (seed coat plus pericarp are fused or united) are called as cereals. The word cereals derived from ‘Ceres’, name of a Roman Goddess, means ‘Giver of Grains’.

[Audio] Biology of Maize Maize are grasses, in the Poaceae family. A grain is botanically a caryopsis & The flowers are usually hermaphroditic The leaf grows from the base of the blade. Grasses have stems that are hollow except at the nodes and narrow alternate leaves borne in two ranks. The lower part of each leaf encloses the stem, forming a leaf sheath..

[Audio] Scientific Package of Practices of Maize Scientific Name Zea mays, Family Poaceae, Origin: Mexico and Central America, 2n=20.

[Audio] Process of Scientific Package of Practices In Maize.

[Audio] Economical and Nutritional Importance In India, maize is the third most important food crops after rice and wheat. Maize is one of the important cereal crops in the world’s agricultural economy both as food for men and feed for animals. it is called as “Queen of Cereals”. Several food dishes viz., chapatti is prepared from maize flour. Green cobs are roasted and eaten by the people. Popcorn is used for popped form; green cob for table purpose. It is widely used in preparation of cattle feed and poultry feed..

[Audio] It can be used as green fodder and has no H-C-N content. It can be preserved as silage. Food products like corn meal, corn flakes et cetera, can be prepared. It is used in making industrial products like alcohol, corn starch (dextrose), glucose, corn oil, corn syrup et cetera, and used in canning industry, production of polymer, making paper, paper boards, bread et cetera.

[Audio] Maize grain contains proteins (10%), carbohydrates (70%), oil (4%), albuminoides (10.4%), crude fibre (2.3%) and ash (1.4%). Maize grain has significant quantity of vitamin A, nicotinic acid, riboflavin and vitamin E Maize is low in calcium, but fairly high in ‘P. Maize protein ‘Zein’ is deficient in two essential amino acids viz., Lysine and ‘Tryptophane’..

[Audio] Area and Production It is cultivated in an area of 138 Mha with a production of 602 Mt. It is grown in U-S-A--, China, Brazil, Mexico and India. U-S-A ranks first in area, production and productivity (6865 kilograms/ha). India occupies 5th place in area and 11th place in production. In India, area, production and productivity is 8.4 Mha, 19.61 Mt. and 23.55 q/ha respectively (2009-10). In Bihar It is cultivated in Kharif, Rabi and Zaid with total area, production and productivity is 0.689 Mha , 2.834 Mt. and 41.13 q/ha respectively (2012-13). In India, it is cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Bihar. The production level is in the order of Uttar Pradesh > Bihar > Karnataka..

[Audio] Area and Distribution The maize is cultivated throughout the year in all states of the country for various purposes including grain, fodder, green cobs, sweet corn, baby corn, popcorn in peri urban areas. . The predominant maize growing states that contribute more than 80 % of the total maize production are Andhra Pradesh (20.9 %), Karnataka (16.5 %), Rajasthan (9.9 %), Maharashtra (9.1 %), Bihar (8.9 %), Uttar Pradesh (6.1 %), Madhya Pradesh (5.7 %), Himachal Pradesh (4.4 %)..

[Audio] In 2020-21, the top three maize producing states in India were Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, contributing 16.45%, 11.37%, and 10.91% to India's total maize production, respectively. In Rajasthan, maize is cultivated on roughly 9.44 lakh hectares, with an average productivity of 7138 kilograms/ha..

[Audio] Classification of Maize Classification is largely based on the character of the kernels. It is classified into seven groups (Kipps, 1959). 1. Flint corn (Zea mays indurate): Starchy endosperm enclosed with hard hammy endosperm. Kernel size is large with flat bottom and round at the top, high proportion of starch, colour may be white or yellow, mostly grown in India. 2. Dent corn (Z. mays indentata): the top of kernel having white or yellow, it is called as dent corn. Maize kernels have both soft and hard starches. Depression or dent in the crown on the seed is the result of drying and shrinkage of soft starch. This type is widely grown in U-S-A-..

[Audio] 4. Sweet corn (Z. mays saccharata): The kernels are translucent, horny and more wrinkled when dry. Presence of recessive gene “su” (sunken-1, sunken-2) break the conversion sugar to starch in endosperm that results in sweet taste of kernels. It is mainly grown in Northern half of U-S-A--. The cobs are picked up green for canning and table purpose. 3. Popcorn (Z. mays averta): Kernel size is small. Hard and corneous endosperm is present. After heating the pressure built up within the kernel suddenly results in an explosion of the grain is turned inside out..

[Audio] 5. Flour corn (Z. mays amylaceae): It resembles to the flint corn in appearance and ear characteristics. The grains are composed of soft starch and have little or no dent (called as “soft corn”). It is widely grown in U-S-A and South Africa. 6. Pod corn (Z. mays tunicata): Each kernel is enclosed in a pod or husk in an ear, which enclosed in husks, like other types of corn..

[Audio] 7. Waxy corn (Z. mays cerabina) The kernel looks to have waxy appearance and gummy starch in them, because of amylopectin. Starch is similar to that of tapioca starch for making adhesive..

[Audio] Climatic Requirement It is essentially a tropical crop. It is a C4 short day plant. Though it is a tropical crop, it has got high adaptability to wider climate (55°N–45°S). Maize requires moist and warm weather from germination to flowering. It can be grown up to 2500 meters above MSL. This crop is not suitable when night temperature drops below 15.6 degrees celsius. Most suitable temperature for germination is 21 degrees celsius and for growth is 32 degrees celsius..

[Audio] Rainfall of 500–750 millimeters of well distributed rain is required for growth. Extremely high temperature and low RH at flowering desiccate the pollen resulting in poor pollen grain formation. Temperature more than 35 degrees celsius reduces the pollen germination. Temperature < 15 degrees celsius delays silking and tasseling..

[Audio] Soil Requirement Maize is very sensitive to water logging and considerable yield losses occur if, the crop faces water stagnation for more than two days. Maize is best adapted to well drained sandy loam to silty loam soil. Water stagnation is extremely harmful to the crop, therefore proper drainage is must. Maize cannot thrive on heavy soils especially on low lands. pH ranges from 5.5–7.5. Salinity and water logging are harmful at seeding stage..

[Audio] Growth Stages Seedling stage: 1–14 days (from sprouting to 2–4 leaves) Vegetative phase: 15–39 days (30–35 days is knee high stage) Flowering phase: 40–65 days Ripening: 96–105 days. Maturity stage: 66–95 days (including soft and hard dough stage).

[Audio] Varieties Varieties Promising Composites Hybrids The duration of composites is 85-90 days, for example, Hemant, Laxmi, Suwan, Diyara composite, Madhuri, Vijay, Kisan, Sona, Vikram, are important varieties (4.5–5.5 t/ha). The duration of hybrids is 100-105 days. Some of the important hybrids are Deccan, Ganga Safed, Ganga-2, Ganga-4, Ganga-5, Ganga-7,9, Histarch and Sangam, DHM117, SHM-2, Q-P-M-1-, 2, 3, 4, 5amd V-Q-P-M 9..

[Audio] System of Maize Cultivation System of Maize Cultivation Irrigated maize: It is cultivated in 22% of the total area under maize cultivation. Field preparation: The crop does not require fine tilth. Field is ploughed to a depth of 25–30 centimeters using mould board plough, followed by 3–4 ploughing with desi plough or harrow. Land shaping: Formation of ridges and furrow system (at 60 centimeters interval) is good due to good drainage and less water logging..

[Audio] Seed Treatment The seed treatment is done with any fungicide (Captan /thirum/carbendazim @ 2.5g/kg seed) followed by Azospirillum (3 pockets). Seed treatment with 3 pockets of Azospirillum followed by soil application of Azospirillum @10 pockets (2 kilograms/ha) with F-Y-M at 50 kilograms/ha can be followed. Bavistin plus Captan in 1:1 ratio@ 2.5 g/kg seed for Turcicum leaf blight, Banded leaf and sheath blight, Maydis leaf blight et cetera Captan 2.5g/kg for Pythium Stalk Rot Apran 35 SD@4g/kg seed for Brown stripe downy mildew.

[Audio] Sowing time, Method of sowing, spacing & seed rate Method of sowing a) Sowing on ridges in heavy rain fall region b) Sowing in flat bed in medium rainfall area c) Sowing in flat furrow dry region and low rainfall area Spacing: 60 × 20 centimeters (83333 plants/ha). Seed rate: The seed rate for Desi 12-15 kilograms/ha, composite is 15-18 kilograms/ha and for hybrids, it is 20 kilograms/ha. Season Optimum time of sowing Kharif Last week of June to first fortnight of July Rabi Last week of October for intercropping and up to 15th of November for sole crop. Spring First week of February.

[Audio] Removal of off type plants and thinning & Earthing up Removal of off type plants and thinning i) At early stage in other words after 12-15 days of sowing, off type plants and excess plants should be removed and proper plant to plant distance of 20-25 centimeters should be maintained to provide an equal opportunity to each plant to grow, ii) At knee high stage and iii) At flowering in other words before anthesis. Earthing up One day prior to earthing up, third split of nitrogen should be applied followed by hoeing. On the next day earthing up operation should be completed with movement of the person in the backward direction. This operation should be done before tasselling stage to save the crop from lodging..

[Audio] Detasseling Detasseling in female should be done before anthesis. It should be practiced row wise. The process of detasseling should continue for 8-10 days. One person should follow to monitor the each row to check that no part of the tassel is left inside. While detasseling, leaf should not be removed which will otherwise reduce the photosynthesis. It has been observed that the removal of 1 to 3 leaves along with tassel reduces 5-15% yield..

[Audio] Processes of Detasseling in Maize. Trinity Academy of Engineering.

[Audio] Stages of Crop Inspection At the time of sowing purpose: to monitor the land, isolation distance, planting ratio of male: female, proper sowing time, seed treatment etc During pre flowering/vegetative stage purpose: to verify the roguing and removal of off type plants During flowering stage purpose: to check disease and pest infestation During post flowering and pre harvest stage purpose: to remove the late and diseased plants Harvesting time purpose: to see the proper time of harvesting Full article: Maize production systems, farmers' perception and current status of maize lethal necrosis in selected counties in Kenya Stages of crop inspection.

[Audio] Fertilizer Management Among the cereals, it requires huge amount of fertilizers. If there is no soil test recommendation, a blanket recommendation of N-P-K at 120:60:40 kilograms/ha is recommended for irrigated maize. Apply fertilizer 5 centimeters below the soil and 10 centimeters away from the root zone. 100% P and K should be applied as basal. ‘N’ should be applied in 3 splits viz., 25% basal, 50% on 25 D-A-S and 25% on 45 D-A-S-. In all the cereal crops, there is two peak stages of uptake, whereas, in maize, there are three peak stages of uptake. For transplanted crop, ‘N’ should be applied at 50% basal and 25% each at knee high stage and teaselling stages..

[Audio] Split application of N in maize 1st peak: 30–35 days (Knee high stage) 2nd peak: 50–60 days (Tasselling) 3rd peak: 70–80 days (Dough stage) Zn deficiency cause “White bud” in Maize. Apply ZnSO4 at 25 kilograms/ha at the time of sowing. If not possible, foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 at critical stages is recommended..

[Audio] Organic Nutrient Management Green manuring: Green manuring crops like dhaincha/sunhemp/cowpea at 12/20/20 kilograms seed rate/acre, respectively are very useful. Fifty days old crop is to be ploughed down and reserve the field for 10 days for decomposition before sowing of maize. Straw of summer mungbean/cowpea may be buried before sowing of maize or/with Farm yard manure/Compost @ 6 tonnes/acre or vermicompost @ 3 tonnes/acre. Paddy/wheat/maize straw compost at 0.18 tonnes/acre. Application of Azatobacter/Azospirillum with P-S-B and N-P-K consortia for seed treatment @ 200 g/acre or liquid formulation @ 100 ml/acre. Soil application of Azatobacter/Azospirillum with P-S-B--, V-A-M and N-P-K consortia @ 5-6 kilograms/acre. Organic management.

[Audio] Water Management Irrigation management It requires 400–500 millimeters of water. Critical stages for irrigation are tasselling and silking. Peak consumption of water also occurs during this period (tasselling and silking). In Clay/clay loam soils, totally 8 irrigations are required. For light soils, two more irrigations are needed. Critical Growth Stages Germination phase: Two irrigations 1st after sowing, 2nd as life irrigation 4th day) Vegetative phase: Three irrigations at 12th day, 25th day and 36th D-A-S-. Flowering phase: Two irrigations on 48th and 60th day Maturity phase: One irrigation on 72nd day..

[Audio] Weed Management The crop weed competition is up to 45 days. Application of pre emergence herbicides like Simazine and Atrazine at 1.0 kilograms ai /ha, followed by one hand hoeing and weeding on 30–35 D-A-S is recommended. There should be adequate soil moisture. The soil should not disturb immediately after application. It is better to use high volume sprayer fitted with deflected type or flat fan nozzle. If pre emergence herbicide is not applied, post emergence application of 2, 4 D Na salt (Fernoxone 80 WP) at 1.0 kilograms a.i./ha on 2 or 3rd leaf stage for sole crop of maize is recommended. For maize plus soybean/pulse intercropping system, pre emergence application of alachlor at 2.0 kilograms a.i./ha (Lasso 50% EC), followed by one hand weeding is recommended..

[Audio] Quality Protein Maize Quality protein maize: high in lysine (3.5%) and tryptophan 5% and 11% protein; Protina, Shakti, Rattan, release in 1971 such variety called opaque-2 composite. Various hybrids viz, Shaktiman 1, 2, 3 and Q-P-M 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. 1. Sweet corn: Madhuri, Priya, Seed rate: 8-10 kilograms/ha Spacing 60 centimeters × 20 centimeters 2. Baby corn: HM-4, Golden baby, 45 -42, Pro agro seed rate: 35-40 kilograms/ha: Spacing 40×20 centimeters 3. Popcorn: Amber, 45 amber, Perl popcorn, Seed rate: 20-25 kilograms/ha Spacing 60×20 centimeters 4. Fodder maize: African tall, J-1-0-0-6 Seed rate: 40-45 kilograms/ha Spacing 30×10 centimeters Yield: Hybrids: 35-40 Q/ha Locals: 15-20 Q/ha.

[Audio] Harvesting and Grain Shelling . They do not contain more than 20% moisture and they are piled up for 24 hours and then dried in the sun for 5-6 days to reduce the moisture to 10-12%. The green stalks are harvested separately and used as fodder. Shelling: Hand shelling is a common practice, but efficiency is very poor. Now, corn sheller of greater efficiency, which is manually driven, tractor drawn, electricity operated is available. The left over plants are used as green fodder or straw. The grain cob is harvested, when cob sheath turns brownish and grains become hard..

[Audio] Insect & Pest Management 1. Pink Borer (Sesamia inference) Sesamia inference occurs during winter season particularly in peninsular India. The moth of the Sesamia is nocturnal and lays eggs on lower leaf sheath. The larvae of the Sesamia enter the plant near the base and cause damage to stem. Control of Chilo (spotted stem borer) and Sesamia (pink stem borer): For control of Chilo and Sesamia, foliar spray of 0.1 % Endosulfan 10 days after germination is very effective. The Chilo can also be controlled by release of 8 Trichocards (Trichogramma chilonis) per hectare at 10 days after germination. Intercropping of maize with suitable varieties of cowpea is an ecofriendly option for reducing the incidence of Chilo on maize..

[Audio] 3. Shoot fly (Atherigona sp.) In South India it is a serious pest but it also appears on spring and summer maize crop in North India. It attacks mainly at seedling stage of the crop. The tiny maggots creep down under the leaf sheaths till they reach the base of the seedlings. After this they cut the growing point or central shoot which results in to dead heart formation. Control of Shoofly: Sowing must be completed before first week of February so that the crop will escape shootfly infestation. Spring sowing must be accompanied with seed treatment with Imidacloprid @ 6ml/kg seed..

[Audio] 4. Termites (Odontotermes obesus) Termite is also an important pest in many areas. For control of termite fepronil granules should be applied @ 20 kilograms ha-1 followed by light irrigation. If the termite incidence is in patches, then spot application of fepronil @ 2-3 granuled/plant should be done. Clean cultivation delays termite attack. Corn worm /Earworm (Helicoverpa armigera) Symptom of damage: Larva feeds on silk, developing grains and cobs. Management: Set up of light traps @ 1 no./ha Set up Helicoverpa sex pheromone traps at 12 nos./ha Two applications of N-P-V at 10 days interval at 1.5 X-1-0-1-2 P-O-B along with Crude sugar 2.5 kilograms plus cotton seed kernel powder 250 grams on the ear heads Spray malathion 5D 25 kilograms/ha or phosalone 4D 5 kilograms/ha.

[Audio] B. Disease management Maydis leaf blight (Drechslera maydis): It is a major disease in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu having warm humid temperate to tropical climate in the cropping period. Lesions on the leaves elongated between the veins, tan with buff to brown or dark reddish brown borders. Lesion size may vary in inbreds and hybrids due to different genetic backgrounds. Growing of HM 10, PAU 352, Malviya Hybrid Makka 2, E-M-H 1, H-Q-P-M 7, H-Q-P-M 5, H-Q-P-M 1, Shaktiman 3, Shaktiman 4, pemh– 5, HQPM-4, and HSC-1 with need based sprays of mancozeb or zineb @ 2.5g/litre of water..

[Audio] B. Disease management 2. Common rust (Puccinia sorghi): This rust attacks in the maize growing areas with subtropical temperate and high land environment of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Punjab (Rabi), Haryana (Rabi), Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar (Rabi), Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It appears at the time of tasseling. The circular to elongate, golden brown to cinnamon brown pustules are visible over both leaf surfaces changing to brownish black at plant maturity. Adopt promising hybrids/ varieties viz.; Buland, Sheetal, H-H-M 1, HHM 2 and H-Q-P-M 1, Nithyashree. Spray of mancozeb@ 2.5g/litre of water at first appearance of pustules. Prefer early maturing varieties..

[Audio] 3. Downy mildew (Peranosclerospora sorghi) Symptoms: Systemic infection as chlorosis which appears 10-14 days. Leaves tend to be narrower and more erect. Plants infected early usually die at four weeks after infection. Chlorosis is noticeable on the lower half of the leaf: Half leaf symptom. Chlorosis gradually covers the entire leaf surface at later stage. A white downy growth is seen on the lower leaf surface under humid warm conditions. Systemically infected plants do not form cob and if it forms, they are small and poorly filled. Management: Use disease free healthy seeds. Drying seed to less than 14% moisture. Deep tillage and crop rotations for more than three years. Rouging of diseased plants and alternate grass hosts. Use disease resistance hybrids viz., TNAU COH(M)6, COH(M)8 and COH(M)11 Seed treatment with metalaxyl @ 6g/kg of seeds. Foliar spray with metalaxyl plus mancozeb @ 1000 grams or mancozeb 1000 g/ha after initial symptom / 20 D-A-P and 40 D-A-P-..

[Audio] 4. Charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) Symptoms: Plants exhibit wilting symptoms. Plants mature, the fungus spreads into the lower internodes of the stalk. Causing premature ripening, shredding and breaking at the crown region. Stalk of infected plants are with greyish streak. The pith becomes shredded and greyish black minute sclerotia develop on the vascular bundles. Shredding of the interior of the stalk often causes stalks to break at crown. Management Follow crop rotation. Avoidance of water stress at flowering time reduced disease incidence. Avoid nutrient stress. Apply potash @ 80 kilograms/ha in endemic areas. Soil application of P fluorescens (or) T viride @ 2.5 kilograms / ha plus 50 kilograms of well decomposed F-Y-M (mix 10 days before application) or sand at 30 days after sowing..

[Audio] Summary Scientific practices for optimizing maize yield focus on enhancing crop productivity through a combination of advanced agricultural techniques and research based strategies. These practices include the use of high yielding and disease resistant seed varieties, precision farming techniques such as soil testing and targeted fertilizer application, and efficient water management through irrigation scheduling. Integrated pest and weed management also plays a critical role in minimizing losses. Additionally, proper planting density, crop rotation, and timely harvesting are essential to maximize output. Continuous monitoring and adoption of modern technologies like remote sensing and data analytics further help farmers make informed decisions for better yields..

[Audio] References Text Books Chatterjee B N and K K Bhattacharyya2020. Principles and Practices of Grain legume production, Oxford and I-B-H Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. ICAR. 2020. Handbook of Agriculture (6th Edition), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. TNAU, 2022. Crop Production Guide, T-N-A-U and Directorate of Agriculture, Chennai. Singh, Chhidda, Singh, Prem and Singh, Rajbir.2021. Modern Techniques of Raising Field Crops, Oxford & I-B-H Publishing Co., New Delhi Reference Books Panda, S C 2022. Modern Concepts and Advance Principles in Crop Production. Agrobios (India), Jodhpur M 5 R Prasad, 2021. Oilseed crops, New India Publishing Agency (N-I-P-A-), New Delhi. Reddy, S R 2022. Agronomy of Field Crops. Kalyani Books, New Delhi. Rathore, P S 2020. Techniques and Management of Field Crop Production, Agrobios (India), Jodhpur. Prasad, Rajendra. 2016. Textbook of Field Crops Production Volume 1 and 2, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi..

[Audio] Choose the correct answer: Q-U-I-Z What is the ideal temperature range for maize cultivation? A) 10 degrees celsius to 20 degrees celsius B) 21 degrees celsius to 27 degrees celsius C) 30 degrees celsius to 35 degrees celsius D) 15 degrees celsius to 25°C Which soil type is best suited for maize cultivation? A) Saline soil B) Well drained loamy soil C) Clayey soil D) Alkaline soil What is the recommended seed rate for hybrid maize? A) 20 kilograms/ha B) 25 kilograms/ha C) 30 kilograms/ha D) 35 kilograms/ha.

[Audio] Which maize variety is known for its high lysine content? A) Shakti B) Vikram C) Jawahar D) Azad Uttam At what growth stage is maize most sensitive to water stress? A) Germination B) Tasseling C) Silking D) Dough stage Which herbicide is commonly used in maize cultivation? A) Glyphosate B) Atrazine C) Paraquat D) 2,4-D.

[Audio] What is the optimum plant population for maize per hectare? A) 50000 B) 65000 C) 80000 D) 90000 Which maize variety is recommended for drought prone areas? A) Deccan-107 B) Prabhat C) Gaurav D) Azad Uttam What is the ideal pH range for maize cultivation? A) 4.5 to 5.5 B) 5.5 to 6.5 C) 6.5 to 7.5 D) 7.5 to 8.5.

[Audio] Which nutrient deficiency causes 'white bud' symptoms in maize? A) Nitrogen B) Phosphorus C) Zinc D) Potassium What is the recommended spacing for maize planting? A) 30 x 30 centimeters B) 60 x 20 centimeters C) 75 x 25 centimeters D) 90 x 30 centimeters Which maize variety is known for its short maturity period? A) Prakash B) Gaurav C) Azad Uttam D) Prabhat.