IPI Bulletin No. 23: Maize

Maize is the second most produced grain in the world. Growing two crops of maize a year (spring/summer and summer/autumn) has helped lift production in Brazil to make it the world’s third largest producer.

IPI bulletin No:23 has an explanation of the challenges to successful second crop maize, including lower temperature and limited solar radiation and less rainfall. It signposts that, while farmers cannot change these climatic factors, what producers can do is adopt a more strategic and balanced approach to maize nutrition.

You will find detailed analysis of macronutrient and micronutrient needs for optimum maize productivity through the growth cycle and as a second crop, including when cultivated after soybean, which is the most common succession in Brazil.

This IPI bulletin reports the process of combining three things – knowledge of crop needs, measurements of residual soil fertility and crop anticipated yield – to create a complete and balanced nutrition strategy for second crop maize.

Inoculating maize with Azospirillum and intercropping it with Brachiaria to improve nutrient use efficiency are outlined. You can also see the detailed recommendations for fertilizer applications to correct deficiencies and build soil nutrient availability that ensures adequate, prolonged and fully balanced maize nutrition throughout this important crop’s growth.