A Snap Shot of Spring Maize Cultivation in Kapurthala and Jalandhar Districts under Central Plain Zone of Punjab

Maize (Zea mays L.) can play an important role in the crop diversification in Punjab. It is used in poultry and animal feed and for the manufacturing of starch, glucose and corn flakes. It is also used as a human food during winter season. Traditionally maize was grown as kharif crop and now sowing during rabi season has also been started in some districts with the development of new varieties and hybrids. Maize can be grown successfully during spring season. The present study was undertaken to assess the area under different maize hybrids grown in spring season, its productivity and gross returns of the farmers in the Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts of Punjab. The results revealed that majority of farmers prefer to sow seeds of two hybrids namely 31Y45 and DKC 9108 with an average yield around 96q/ha. These hybrids on an average resulted in a gross return around Rs 81,600/ha. Among the blocks studied, the maximum area was in the Kapurthala block. The highest grain yield obtained was in Kartarpur block but the selling rate and gross returns were maximum in Lohian block. Among the different categories of the farmers according to their land holdings, the maximum area was planted by farmers of category having land more than 20 ha. and they also got the maximum gross returns.