Maize

Maize is mainly a rainfed kharif crop which is sown just before the onset of monsoon and is harvested after retreat of the monsoon. In Tamil Nadu it is a rabi crop and is sown a few weeks before the onset of winter rainy season in Sept. and Oct. It requires 50-100 cm of rainfall and it cannot be grown in areas of more than 100 cm rainfall.

Fertile well-drained alluvial or red loams free from coarse materials and rich in nitrogen are the best soils for its successful growth. Well drained plains are best suited for its cultivation, although it grows in some hilly areas also. The cultivation of maize in India is characterised by inter-culture i.e. along with and in pulses, vegetables and oil seeds.

The leafy stalk of the plant produces separate pollen and ovuliferous inflorescences or ears, which are fruits, yielding kernels (often erroneously called seeds). Maize kernels are often used in cooking as a starch.

•  Aside from containing varying amounts of water, corn is mainly composed of carbohydrates, and has small amounts of protein and fat.

•  Like all cereal grains, corn is primarily composed of carbs.

•  Corn contains a fair amount of fiber.

•  Corn is a decent source of protein.

•  Corn may contain a fair amount of several vitamins and minerals.