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+FROM python:3.10-slim
+
+WORKDIR /app
+
+# Install system dependencies
+RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
+    gcc \
+    g++ \
+    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
+
+# Copy requirements and install Python dependencies
+COPY requirements.txt .
+RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r requirements.txt
+
+# Create necessary directories
+RUN mkdir -p static data
+
+# Copy application files
+COPY app.py .
+COPY static/ static/
+COPY data/ data/
+
+# Create a non-root user
+RUN useradd -m -u 1000 user && chown -R user:user /app
+USER user
+
+# Expose port for Hugging Face Spaces
+EXPOSE 7860
+
+# Run the application
+CMD ["python", "app.py"]

app.py

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+import os
+import time
+import gradio as gr
+import uvicorn
+from fastapi import FastAPI, HTTPException, Depends, File, UploadFile
+from fastapi.security import HTTPBearer, HTTPAuthorizationCredentials
+from pydantic import BaseModel
+from typing import Optional, Dict, Any
+import threading
+import logging
+from langchain.document_loaders import TextLoader
+from langchain.text_splitter import RecursiveCharacterTextSplitter
+from langchain.vectorstores import FAISS
+from langchain.chains import RetrievalQA
+from langchain.prompts import PromptTemplate
+from langchain.callbacks.base import BaseCallbackHandler
+from langchain_google_genai import ChatGoogleGenerativeAI, GoogleGenerativeAIEmbeddings
+import tiktoken
+
+# Configure logging
+logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+# --- Configuration ---
+CHUNK_SIZE = 800
+CHUNK_OVERLAP = 100
+MAX_TOKENS = 512
+TEMPERATURE = 0.5
+RETRIEVAL_K = 5
+
+# --- Token Counting Setup ---
+try:
+    tokenizer = tiktoken.get_encoding("cl100k_base")
+except:
+    print("Tiktoken encoder 'cl100k_base' not found. Using basic split().")
+    tokenizer = type('obj', (object,), {'encode': lambda x: x.split()})()
+
+def estimate_tokens(text):
+    """Estimates token count for a given text."""
+    return len(tokenizer.encode(text))
+
+# Custom Callback Handler to track LLM token usage
+class TokenUsageCallbackHandler(BaseCallbackHandler):
+    """Callback handler to track token usage in LLM calls."""
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.reset_counters()
+
+    def reset_counters(self):
+        self.total_prompt_tokens = 0
+        self.total_completion_tokens = 0
+        self.total_llm_calls = 0
+
+    def on_llm_end(self, response, **kwargs):
+        """Collect token usage from the LLM response."""
+        self.total_llm_calls += 1
+        llm_output = response.llm_output
+        
+        if llm_output and 'usage_metadata' in llm_output:
+            usage = llm_output['usage_metadata']
+            prompt_tokens = usage.get('prompt_token_count', 0)
+            completion_tokens = usage.get('candidates_token_count', 0)
+            
+            self.total_prompt_tokens += prompt_tokens
+            self.total_completion_tokens += completion_tokens
+
+    def get_total_tokens(self):
+        """Returns the total prompt and completion tokens."""
+        return {
+            "total_prompt_tokens": self.total_prompt_tokens,
+            "total_completion_tokens": self.total_completion_tokens,
+            "total_llm_tokens": self.total_prompt_tokens + self.total_completion_tokens,
+            "total_llm_calls": self.total_llm_calls
+        }
+
+# --- Pydantic Models for API ---
+class InitializeRequest(BaseModel):
+    api_key: str
+    document_content: Optional[str] = None
+
+class QueryRequest(BaseModel):
+    query: str
+    api_key: str
+
+class InitializeResponse(BaseModel):
+    success: bool
+    message: str
+    chunks: Optional[int] = None
+    estimated_tokens: Optional[int] = None
+
+class QueryResponse(BaseModel):
+    success: bool
+    answer: str
+    response_time: float
+    query_tokens: int
+    llm_tokens: Dict[str, int]
+    session_stats: Dict[str, int]
+
+class StatsResponse(BaseModel):
+    total_queries: int
+    total_embedding_tokens: int
+    total_llm_tokens: int
+    total_llm_calls: int
+    initialization_complete: bool
+
+# --- Global Variables ---
+class RAGSystem:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.vector_store = None
+        self.qa_chain = None
+        self.token_callback_handler = TokenUsageCallbackHandler()
+        self.session_stats = {
+            "total_queries": 0,
+            "total_embedding_tokens": 0,
+            "initialization_complete": False
+        }
+        self.current_api_key = None
+
+# Global RAG system instance
+rag_system = RAGSystem()
+
+def initialize_rag_system(api_key, file_content=None):
+    """Initialize the RAG system with API key and optional file content."""
+    global rag_system
+    
+    try:
+        # Set API key
+        os.environ["GOOGLE_API_KEY"] = api_key
+        rag_system.current_api_key = api_key
+        
+        # Initialize embeddings
+        embeddings = GoogleGenerativeAIEmbeddings(
+            model="models/embedding-001",
+            google_api_key=api_key
+        )
+        
+        # Initialize LLM
+        llm = ChatGoogleGenerativeAI(
+            model="gemini-1.5-flash",
+            google_api_key=api_key,
+            temperature=TEMPERATURE,
+            max_tokens=MAX_TOKENS,
+            callbacks=[rag_system.token_callback_handler],
+            verbose=False
+        )
+        
+        # Load or use default document
+        if file_content:
+            # Save uploaded file content
+            with open("uploaded_document.txt", "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+                f.write(file_content)
+            loader = TextLoader("uploaded_document.txt")
+        else:
+            # Check if default maize_data.txt exists
+            if os.path.exists("maize_data.txt"):
+                loader = TextLoader("maize_data.txt")
+            else:
+                return "❌ No document found. Please upload a file or ensure maize_data.txt exists."
+        
+        # Load and split documents
+        documents = loader.load()
+        text_splitter = RecursiveCharacterTextSplitter(
+            chunk_size=CHUNK_SIZE, 
+            chunk_overlap=CHUNK_OVERLAP
+        )
+        chunks = text_splitter.split_documents(documents)
+        
+        # Estimate embedding tokens
+        initial_embedding_tokens = sum(estimate_tokens(chunk.page_content) for chunk in chunks)
+        rag_system.session_stats["total_embedding_tokens"] = initial_embedding_tokens
+        
+        # Create vector store
+        rag_system.vector_store = FAISS.from_documents(chunks, embeddings)
+        
+        # Create prompt template
+        prompt_template = PromptTemplate(
+            input_variables=["context", "question"],
+            template="""
+You are an expert in maize agriculture. Use the following context ONLY to answer the question accurately and helpfully. If the context doesn't contain the answer, say "Based on the provided context, I cannot answer this question.".
+
+Context:
+{context}
+
+Question: {question}
+
+Answer:"""
+        )
+        
+        # Set up QA chain
+        rag_system.qa_chain = RetrievalQA.from_chain_type(
+            llm=llm,
+            chain_type="stuff",
+            retriever=rag_system.vector_store.as_retriever(search_kwargs={"k": RETRIEVAL_K}),
+            chain_type_kwargs={"prompt": prompt_template},
+            callbacks=[rag_system.token_callback_handler],
+            return_source_documents=True
+        )
+        
+        rag_system.session_stats["initialization_complete"] = True
+        
+        return f"✅ RAG system initialized successfully!\n📄 Document processed: {len(chunks)} chunks\n🔢 Estimated embedding tokens: ~{initial_embedding_tokens}"
+        
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Initialization failed: {str(e)}")
+        return f"❌ Initialization failed: {str(e)}"
+
+def process_query(query, api_key):
+    """Process a user query through the RAG system."""
+    global rag_system
+    
+    if not api_key:
+        return "❌ Please provide a Google API key first.", ""
+    
+    if not rag_system.qa_chain:
+        return "❌ RAG system not initialized. Please initialize first.", ""
+    
+    if not query.strip():
+        return "❌ Please enter a question.", ""
+    
+    try:
+        # Estimate query embedding tokens
+        query_tokens = estimate_tokens(query)
+        rag_system.session_stats["total_embedding_tokens"] += query_tokens
+        rag_system.session_stats["total_queries"] += 1
+        
+        # Process query
+        start_time = time.time()
+        result = rag_system.qa_chain({"query": query})
+        end_time = time.time()
+        
+        # Get token usage
+        llm_tokens = rag_system.token_callback_handler.get_total_tokens()
+        
+        # Format response
+        answer = result['result']
+        
+        # Create stats summary
+        stats = f"""
+📊 **Query Statistics:**
+- Response time: {end_time - start_time:.2f} seconds
+- Query tokens (estimated): ~{query_tokens}
+- LLM tokens (this query): Prompt: {llm_tokens['total_prompt_tokens']}, Completion: {llm_tokens['total_completion_tokens']}
+
+📈 **Session Statistics:**
+- Total queries: {rag_system.session_stats['total_queries']}
+- Total embedding tokens: ~{rag_system.session_stats['total_embedding_tokens']}
+- Total LLM calls: {llm_tokens['total_llm_calls']}
+- Total LLM tokens: {llm_tokens['total_llm_tokens']}
+"""
+        
+        return answer, stats
+        
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error processing query: {str(e)}")
+        return f"❌ Error processing query: {str(e)}", ""
+
+def upload_file_and_initialize(api_key, file):
+    """Handle file upload and system initialization."""
+    if not api_key:
+        return "❌ Please provide a Google API key first."
+    
+    if file is None:
+        return initialize_rag_system(api_key)
+    
+    try:
+        # Read uploaded file
+        file_content = file.decode('utf-8')
+        return initialize_rag_system(api_key, file_content)
+    except Exception as e:
+        return f"❌ Error reading uploaded file: {str(e)}"
+
+def reset_session():
+    """Reset the session statistics."""
+    global rag_system
+    rag_system.token_callback_handler.reset_counters()
+    rag_system.session_stats = {
+        "total_queries": 0,
+        "total_embedding_tokens": 0,
+        "initialization_complete": False
+    }
+    return "🔄 Session statistics reset."
+
+# --- FastAPI Setup ---
+app = FastAPI(
+    title="Maize RAG Q&A System API",
+    description="API for the Maize Agriculture RAG Q&A System",
+    version="1.0.0"
+)
+
+# Optional: Add API key authentication for API endpoints
+security = HTTPBearer(auto_error=False)
+
+async def get_api_key(credentials: HTTPAuthorizationCredentials = Depends(security)):
+    """Extract API key from Authorization header (optional)"""
+    if credentials:
+        return credentials.credentials
+    return None
+
+# --- API Endpoints ---
+
+@app.get("/")
+async def root():
+    """Root endpoint"""
+    return {"message": "Maize RAG Q&A System API", "status": "running"}
+
+@app.get("/health")
+async def health_check():
+    """Health check endpoint"""
+    return {
+        "status": "healthy",
+        "system_initialized": rag_system.session_stats["initialization_complete"]
+    }
+
+@app.post("/initialize", response_model=InitializeResponse)
+async def initialize_system(request: InitializeRequest):
+    """Initialize the RAG system"""
+    try:
+        result = initialize_rag_system(request.api_key, request.document_content)
+        
+        if "✅" in result:
+            # Parse successful result
+            lines = result.split('\n')
+            chunks = None
+            tokens = None
+            
+            for line in lines:
+                if "chunks" in line:
+                    chunks = int(line.split(': ')[1].split(' ')[0])
+                elif "tokens" in line:
+                    tokens = int(line.split('~')[1])
+            
+            return InitializeResponse(
+                success=True,
+                message=result,
+                chunks=chunks,
+                estimated_tokens=tokens
+            )
+        else:
+            return InitializeResponse(
+                success=False,
+                message=result
+            )
+    
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"API initialization error: {str(e)}")
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=str(e))
+
+@app.post("/query", response_model=QueryResponse)
+async def query_system(request: QueryRequest):
+    """Query the RAG system"""
+    try:
+        if not rag_system.session_stats["initialization_complete"]:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="System not initialized")
+        
+        # Estimate query embedding tokens
+        query_tokens = estimate_tokens(request.query)
+        rag_system.session_stats["total_embedding_tokens"] += query_tokens
+        rag_system.session_stats["total_queries"] += 1
+        
+        # Process query
+        start_time = time.time()
+        result = rag_system.qa_chain({"query": request.query})
+        end_time = time.time()
+        
+        # Get token usage
+        llm_tokens = rag_system.token_callback_handler.get_total_tokens()
+        
+        response_time = end_time - start_time
+        
+        return QueryResponse(
+            success=True,
+            answer=result['result'],
+            response_time=response_time,
+            query_tokens=query_tokens,
+            llm_tokens=llm_tokens,
+            session_stats=rag_system.session_stats
+        )
+    
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"API query error: {str(e)}")
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=str(e))
+
+@app.get("/stats", response_model=StatsResponse)
+async def get_stats():
+    """Get current session statistics"""
+    llm_tokens = rag_system.token_callback_handler.get_total_tokens()
+    
+    return StatsResponse(
+        total_queries=rag_system.session_stats["total_queries"],
+        total_embedding_tokens=rag_system.session_stats["total_embedding_tokens"],
+        total_llm_tokens=llm_tokens["total_llm_tokens"],
+        total_llm_calls=llm_tokens["total_llm_calls"],
+        initialization_complete=rag_system.session_stats["initialization_complete"]
+    )
+
+@app.post("/reset")
+async def reset_system():
+    """Reset session statistics"""
+    reset_session()
+    return {"message": "Session reset successfully"}
+
+@app.post("/upload-document")
+async def upload_document(
+    file: UploadFile = File(...),
+    api_key: str = None
+):
+    """Upload a document and initialize the system"""
+    try:
+        if not api_key:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="API key required")
+        
+        # Read uploaded file
+        content = await file.read()
+        file_content = content.decode('utf-8')
+        
+        # Initialize system with uploaded content
+        result = initialize_rag_system(api_key, file_content)
+        
+        if "✅" in result:
+            return {"success": True, "message": result}
+        else:
+            return {"success": False, "message": result}
+    
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Document upload error: {str(e)}")
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail=str(e))
+
+# Create Gradio interface
+def create_interface():
+    with gr.Blocks(title="Maize RAG Q&A System", theme=gr.themes.Soft()) as demo:
+        gr.Markdown("""
+        # 🌽 Maize Agriculture RAG Q&A System
+        
+        This system uses Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to answer questions about maize agriculture.
+        Upload your own document or use the default maize dataset.
+        """)
+        
+        with gr.Row():
+            with gr.Column(scale=2):
+                api_key_input = gr.Textbox(
+                    label="🔑 Google API Key",
+                    placeholder="Enter your Google Generative AI API key",
+                    type="password",
+                    info="Get your API key from Google AI Studio"
+                )
+            
+            with gr.Column(scale=1):
+                reset_btn = gr.Button("🔄 Reset Session", variant="secondary")
+        
+        with gr.Row():
+            with gr.Column():
+                file_upload = gr.File(
+                    label="📁 Upload Document (Optional)",
+                    file_types=[".txt"],
+                    info="Upload a text file or use the default maize dataset"
+                )
+                
+                init_btn = gr.Button("🚀 Initialize RAG System", variant="primary")
+                init_output = gr.Textbox(
+                    label="📋 Initialization Status",
+                    lines=3,
+                    interactive=False
+                )
+        
+        gr.Markdown("## 💬 Ask Questions")
+        
+        with gr.Row():
+            with gr.Column(scale=3):
+                query_input = gr.Textbox(
+                    label="❓ Your Question",
+                    placeholder="Ask something about maize agriculture...",
+                    lines=2
+                )
+                
+                # Sample questions
+                sample_questions = [
+                    "What are the main pests affecting maize crops?",
+                    "How should maize be irrigated?",
+                    "What is the ideal soil type for maize?",
+                    "What are the nutritional requirements of maize?",
+                    "When is the best time to harvest maize?"
+                ]
+                
+                gr.Examples(
+                    examples=sample_questions,
+                    inputs=query_input,
+                    label="💡 Sample Questions"
+                )
+            
+            with gr.Column(scale=1):
+                submit_btn = gr.Button("🔍 Ask", variant="primary")
+        
+        with gr.Row():
+            with gr.Column(scale=2):
+                answer_output = gr.Textbox(
+                    label="🤖 Answer",
+                    lines=6,
+                    interactive=False
+                )
+            
+            with gr.Column(scale=1):
+                stats_output = gr.Markdown(
+                    label="📊 Statistics",
+                    value="Statistics will appear here after queries."
+                )
+        
+        # Event handlers
+        init_btn.click(
+            upload_file_and_initialize,
+            inputs=[api_key_input, file_upload],
+            outputs=init_output
+        )
+        
+        submit_btn.click(
+            process_query,
+            inputs=[query_input, api_key_input],
+            outputs=[answer_output, stats_output]
+        )
+        
+        query_input.submit(
+            process_query,
+            inputs=[query_input, api_key_input],
+            outputs=[answer_output, stats_output]
+        )
+        
+        reset_btn.click(
+            reset_session,
+            outputs=init_output
+        )
+        
+        gr.Markdown("""
+        ## 📝 Instructions:
+        1. **Enter your Google API Key** (required)
+        2. **Upload a document** (optional - uses default maize dataset if not provided)
+        3. **Initialize the RAG system** by clicking "Initialize RAG System"
+        4. **Ask questions** about the document content
+        5. **View statistics** to monitor token usage and costs
+        
+        ## 💰 Cost Information:
+        - **Gemini 1.5 Flash**: Input: $0.075/1M tokens, Output: $0.30/1M tokens
+        - **Embedding Model**: $0.025/1M tokens
+        
+        Token usage is estimated and displayed for cost tracking.
+        """)
+    
+    return demo
+
+# Create and launch the interface
+def run_gradio():
+    """Run Gradio interface"""
+    demo = create_interface()
+    demo.launch(
+        server_name="0.0.0.0",
+        server_port=7860,
+        show_error=True,
+        quiet=True  # Reduce Gradio logs in combined mode
+    )
+
+def run_fastapi():
+    """Run FastAPI server"""
+    uvicorn.run(
+        app, 
+        host="0.0.0.0", 
+        port=8000,
+        log_level="info"
+    )
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    import sys
+    
+    if len(sys.argv) > 1:
+        mode = sys.argv[1]
+        
+        if mode == "api":
+            # Run only FastAPI
+            print("Starting FastAPI server on port 8000...")
+            run_fastapi()
+        elif mode == "gradio":
+            # Run only Gradio
+            print("Starting Gradio interface on port 7860...")
+            run_gradio()
+        elif mode == "both":
+            # Run both servers
+            print("Starting both FastAPI (port 8000) and Gradio (port 7860)...")
+            
+            # Start FastAPI in a separate thread
+            fastapi_thread = threading.Thread(target=run_fastapi)
+            fastapi_thread.daemon = True
+            fastapi_thread.start()
+            
+            # Start Gradio in main thread
+            time.sleep(2)  # Give FastAPI time to start
+            run_gradio()
+        else:
+            print("Usage: python app.py [api|gradio|both]")
+            print("Default: gradio only")
+            run_gradio()
+    else:
+        # Default: run only Gradio (for Hugging Face Spaces compatibility)
+        print("Starting Gradio interface on port 7860...")
+        run_gradio()

data/maize_data.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,822 @@
+Maize Production
+for Food, Feed and Fodder
+S.D. Bamboriya
+Mukesh Choudhary
+Alla Singh
+S.L. Jat
+Sujay Rakshit
+ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, PAU Campus
+Ludhiana, Punjab-141 004 ((India)
+Website: https://iimr.icar.gov.in
+Email: director.maize@icar.gov.in,pdmaize@gmail.com
+Phone: +91-161-2440047-48, Fax: +91 161 2430038
+Citation: S.D. Bamboriya, Mukesh Choudhary, Alla Singh, S.L. Jat and Sujay Rakshit.
+Maize production for food, feed and fodder. IIMR Technical Bulletin
+2020/2.Indian Institute of Maize Research, PAU Campus, Ludhiana-
+141004.
+Published in 2020
+Published by:
+ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research
+PAU Campus, Ludhiana, Punjab- 141 004 (India)
+Website: https://iimr.icar.gov.in
+Email: director.maize@icar.gov.in,pdmaize@gmail.com
+Phone: +91-161-2440047-48, Fax: +91 161 2430038
+Printed by:
+Azad Offset Printers : # 144, Press Site, Indl. Area-1, Chandigarh
+Tel. : 0172-4611489, 2656144, 2657144
+Email: aop144@gmail.com
+FOREWARD
+Maize (Zea mays L.), the queen of cereals, surpasses all other food crops in its ability to
+adapt to the diverse agro-ecological niches and being cultivated from 58oN to 55oS
+latitude. It is the leading cereal crop in the world with more than one billion tonne
+production. In India, it holds third rank among the cereals, after rice and wheat in terms
+of area and production. Traditionally, maize is grown as a kharif crop in India, but from
+1970s its expansion started in rabi season and later on in the spring season too. Now,
+the crop is grown round the year and in all agro-ecologies throughout India, not only for
+grain but also for specialized purposes like sweet corn, baby corn and for silage
+making.
+Maize is widely used as food, feed, fodder, industrial raw material and in recent past for
+bio-fuel production. It is a key crop in doubling farmers' income as maize can be
+integrated effectively with dairy, poultry, fisheries and piggery. Speciality corns has a
+special role in value chain development. Considering the changing food habits in India,
+the demand of maize is supposed to increase in the near future. To meet the growing
+demand, there is a need to enhance maize productivity through adoption of the best
+production practices by the maize farmers.
+I am happy to know that ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana is
+bringing out a publication on ''Maize production for food, feed and fodder'' which have
+complete cultivation information for normal and specialty maize right from the sowing
+to harvesting. I congratulate the authors for their contributions in bringing out this
+comprehensive and important publication. I am sure that this publication will be useful
+for researcher, farmers and other stakeholders for enhancing the maize production and
+productivity in the country.
+(T R Sharma)
+E-mail:ddgcs.icar@nic.in Phone:91-11-23382545 Fax:91-11-23097003
+PREFACE
+Declining water resources, degrading soil health, higher production cost, lesser
+profitability and climate change are the major challenge before Indian agriculture.
+Resource use smart crops which can give more profit from lesser resources are need of
+the hour. Maize is one such crop with highest production potential and comparatively
+lesser water foot-prints. It is a multi-purpose crop being used as food, feed, fodder, and
+raw material for various industrial products including bio-fuels.
+Maize is the leading cereal crop in the world with more than one billion tonne
+production and in India it holds third rank after rice and wheat in terms of area and
+production. Traditionally maize in India used to be consumed as food crop. However,
+over time maize has become rather an industrial crop than food crop as over 75% of the
+maize produced in India is used for industrial purchases, mostly as feed and source of
+starches. Being industrial in nature maize can ensure higher remuneration. Further,
+specialty corns, baby corn and sweet corn with short to medium duration cropping
+period can play important role in diversification in peri-urban agricultural systems and
+nutritional garden. They fit well in integrated farming system, where the byproduct of
+specialty corn, i.e. green fodder can support livestock very well. During last 50 years,
+maize productivity has increased from around 0.99 t/ha to 3.1 t/ha but still we are far
+behind leading maize producing nations. Lesser adoption of improved production
+practices is one among the key factors contributing low productivity of Indian maize,
+besides prevalence of rainfed growing condition, limiting effects of various biotic and
+abiotic stresses among others. Improved high yielding cultivars coupled with better
+crop management is bound to increase productivity of maize in India.
+The compiled production practices of various types of maize is expected help to
+researcher, extension workers and farmers in enhancing maize production and
+productivity in the country.
+Authors
+April 2020
+Ludhiana (Punjab)
+Table of Content
+Parts Description Page No.
+Part I Introduction
+Part II Maize for grain purpose
+Irrigated kharif maize
+Rainfed kharif maize
+Irrigated rabi maize
+Irrigated spring maize
+Part III Specialty maize
+Pop corn
+Baby corn
+Sweet corn
+Maize for green cob
+Part IV Maize as fodder
+Green fodder maize
+Silage maize
+Part V Zero till and conservation agriculture based maize
+Part VI Recommended public sector maize varieties
+Maize Production for Food, Feed and Fodder
+Introduction
+Climate change has far serious implications concerning the food and nutritional security of nations
+like India where agriculture is the backbone of nation's economy and growing population is the
+biggest reason to worry. Rural India largely depends on its natural resources and farming for
+earning its livelihood and food security and climate change affects the natural ecosystem
+progressively. In future, it will be even more difficult to predict occurrences of phenomena such as
+droughts, floods, cloud bursts, etc. due to climate change. Consequently, farmers must adapt to the
+changing climate to ensure optimum crop yields and farm income. Farmers in general and small and
+marginal farmers in particular must enhance the resilience of agriculture to face the upcoming
+challenges. Transforming agriculture through adoption of climate resilient practices and
+technologies would be inevitable to stabilize agricultural production and enhance farmer's income.
+Participatory demonstration of location specific and climate smart technologies is
+necessary for enabling farmers to cope climatic variability and extreme weather phenomenon.
+Adoption and spread of these climate resilient technologies would help farmers fetch adaption
+gains and reduce the Green House Gas (GHG) emissions alongside. Considering the urgent need to
+address the issue of climate change at the farm level, Indian Council of Agricultural Research
+(ICAR) launched National Initiatives in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) in February, 2011,
+which was renamed as National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) to
+emphasize the role of evolving innovations. Resilience is the capability of the production system to
+resist negative impacts of climate change and also the capacity to recover quickly after the damage.
+Therefore, National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) was formulated to
+develop and demonstrate region specific improved technologies that would enhance the resilience
+of Indian agriculture to climate change thereby addressing climate vulnerability and its negative
+impacts. The emphasis on adaptation to climate variability necessitates appropriate responses to
+contingency situations. Considering the need to enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture
+production system to climate variability and climate change, the center theme should be the
+Sustainability of the production systems facing natural resource degradation. Thus, the centre of
+attraction in NICRA is not the enhancement of productivity but the ability of the existing system to
+cope with the vulnerability and to improve the natural resource use efficiency for sustaining the
+productivity gains that have been achieved already. The project aimed to enhance resilience of
+Indian agriculture to climate change and climate variability through its different components
+namely Strategic Research, Technology Demonstration, Capacity Building and
+Sponsored/Competitive Grants.
+1
+Uses of Maize
+Feed
+Approximately 60% of total maize production in India is used for preparation of concentrated feeds
+for cattle, poultry and piggery as source of energy. Fishery feed also uses maize as an important
+component. The yellow colour of maize is very useful in providing yellow colour to egg yolk and
+yellow tinge to the milk.
+Food
+Grain maize, pop corn, baby corn, sweet corn and green maize cobs are widely used as human food.
+Most commonly used forms are as Chapattis, porridges, corn flakes, boiled or roasted green ears,
+pop corn, baby corn products like salad, vegetable, pickle, pakoda, kheer, laddu and halwa; sweet
+corn products like soup, chat, corn cheese balls, masala corn and salad etc. Around 13% of total
+maize grain production in India is used as food and 7% as processed food, however this does not
+include use of specialty maize, particularly baby corn, sweet corn and green cobs.
+Industrial uses
+Maize acts as a raw material in the manufacture of starch, syrup, dextrose, oil, gelatine etc. Corn
+flour is used as a thickening agent in the preparation of many edibles like soups, sauces and custard
+powder. Corn syrup is used as sweetener in processed foods such as soft drinks and candies. Corn
+sugar (dextrose) is used in pharmaceutical formulations. Maize oil is widely used as a cooking
+medium and it has the quality of reducing cholesterol in the human blood. Maize oil has use in
+cosmetics and pain industry as well. Corn gel because of its moisture retention character is used as a
+bonding agent for ice-cream cones. Maize stalks are made into paper and wall board; husks are used
+as filling material; cobs are used directly for fuel, to make furfurol, fermentable sugars, solvents,
+liquid fuels, charcoal, pulp, paper and hard boards. Approximate 14% of total maize production in
+India is utilised for industrial purposes.
+Bio fuel and bioplastic
+Maize is also used for liquid bio-fuel (ethanol) production in USA. The ethanol is used as
+transportation fuel after blending with gasoline. India is also slowly opening up use of maize grain
+for ethanol production. The maize starch is also used for making biodegradable plastic using poly
+lactic acid (PLA) which will be very useful in the scenario of banning single use of plastic.
+Forage and silage
+Maize stalk is used to feed dairy animals in the form of green fodder, dry roughages andsilage.
+Maize fodder has higher digestibility than any other non-leguminous forage crops and it does not
+contain any toxic substances. Maize is also preferred for silage making over other fodders, as maize
+plant is easy to chaff, requires less labour and its silage is soft.
+2
+Brief Cultivation Facts
+A. Maize for grain
+A.1. Irrigated kharif maize
+Sowing time: Generally, the ideal sowing time is June 20 to end of July. However, in fields where
+water stagnation may occur, early sowing is desirable so that plant reaches a firm stand to avoid
+lodging associated with water logging.
+Soil: Maize is very sensitive to water-logging and considerable yield losses occur if, the crop faces
+water-stagnation for more than two days. Hence, it is better to plant the crop on well-drained sandy-
+loam to silty-loam soils.
+Land preparation: Maize needs well pulverized and smooth field for quick seed emergence and
+root growth. Hence, two harrowing followed by one planking is needed for field preparation and
+early season weed management. Maize can also be successfully produced under zero-till conditions
+using happy seeder or zero till multi-crop planter.
+a b
+Fig: Land preparation (a) harrowing; (b) land leveling
+Farm-equipments: Mould board plough (MB plough), disc or tine harrow, land-leveler, maize
+planter, narrow bed planter, pneumatic planter, wide bed planter etc.
+3
+a b
+c d
+Fig: Maize planting equipment (a) Ridge planter; (b) Maize planter;
+(c) Pneumatic planter; (d) Wide bed planter
+Seed rate and seed treatment: Eight kg seed of field corn is needed for seeding in one acre area.
+Seeds should be treated with any of the following fungicides and insecticides before sowing to
+protect the crop from most prevalent (seed and soil borne) diseases and insect-pests.
+1) Bavistin + Captan in 1:1 ratio@2g/kg seed for Turcicum leaf blight, Banded leaf and sheath
+blight, Maydis leaf blight etc.
+2) Apran 35 SD@4g/kg seed for Brown stripe downy mildew
+3) Captan 2.5g/kg for Pythium Stalk Rot
+4) Imidachlorpid (Gaucho) @ 6 ml/kg or Fipronil @4ml/Kg seed for termite and shoot fly.
+5) Thiamethoxam + Cyantraniliprole @ 4 ml/kg seed for fall armyworm.
+Any of the above seed treatment may be selected depending upon predominant biotic stresses.
+Sowing method: In kharif sown maize, raised bed planting is recommended to protect the crop
+from water logging. In raised bed planting, 70 cm wide ridges (40 cm ridge and 30 cm furrow) are
+prepared with the help of bed planter. Bed planter with incline plate seed metering system can
+precisely place the maize seed at required depth and does simultaneous operation of raised beds
+making and planting. One line of maize on each raised bed is desirable when sole crop of maize is
+planted keeping seed to seed spacing at 20 cm. Optimum plant density (30,000/acre) should be
+maintained to tap full potentials of hybrids. Southern side planting is advised on East-West oriented
+4
+ridges. Happy seeder or zero-till bed planters with inclined plate to be used for crop establishment
+under zero tillage or for sowing under crop residue.
+Sowing depth: For proper germination and early vigor, seed should be sown at 3.5-5.0 cm depth.
+Inter cropping: One row of either (a) Cowpea for fodder; (b) Soybean/urdbean/mungbean for
+grain; (c) Groundnut for pods, in between two consecutive rows of maize is desirable for inter-
+cropping with maize. The shade loving crops like turmeric and ginger can also be successfully
+cultivated as intercrop with maize. Herbicides should not be used for weed control in inter-cropping
+system. In case of intercropped maize slightly higher doses of fertilizers should be applied than
+sole crop.
+Irrigation management: Water requirement of maize is 500–800 mm per growing season. During
+kharif season, partially water requirement is met by rainfall. Hence, 1-4 irrigations are required,
+which may vary depending on frequency of rainfall. Adequate moisture at germination, pre-
+tasseling, silking and grain-filling stages should be ensured through irrigation, if rainfall is not
+there. If available, the sprinkler irrigation up to knee length stage is very good for maize crop. In
+ridge-sown crop, irrigation should be given in furrow up to 2/3 of height of the ridge.
+Nutrient management: Hybrid maize is very responsive to nutrient application and has slightly
+high nutrient requirement as compare to other cereals due to high yield potential. It can be grown
+both organically or by integrated nutrient management involving organic and inorganic nutrient
+supplementation.
+Organic nutrient management: Following options for nutrient management in organic maize
+production to be used based on availability in suitable combination
+l Green manuring: Green manuring crops like dhaincha/sunhemp/cowpea at 12/20/20 kg
+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.
+l Straw of summer mungbean/cowpea may be buried before sowing of maize
+l Farm yard manure/Compost @ 6 tonnes/acre or vermicompost @ 3 tonnes/acre
+l Application of Azatobacter/Azospirillum with PSB and NPK consortia for seed
+treatment @ 200 g/acre or liquid formulation @ 100 ml/acre.
+Integrated nutrient management: Application of 6 tonnes/acre well decomposed farm yard
+manure/compost mixed with Azatobacter/Azospirillum with PSB, VAM and NPK consortia @ 5-6
+kg/acre or seed treatment with Azatobacter/Azospirillum with PSB and NPK consortia @ 200 g
+each/acre or liquid formulation @ 100 ml/acre needed for better moisture retention and initial boost
+of the crop. Macro- and micro-nutrient requirements of the crop need to be accomplished through
+use of suitable fertilizers. The following schedule of fertilizer may be used:
+5
+Crop Stage Fertilizers scheduling
+Sowing (Basal) Drill full dose of P, K and 1/3 of N-fertilizer dose, micro-
+nutrient application
+Knee-high (Ist split) Top dress 1/3 N-fertilizer dose and micronutrient spray
+Pre-tasseling (2nd split) Top dressing of remaining 1/3 N-fertilizer dose and micro-
+nutrient spray
+Rate of different fertilizers
+Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Varieties Sehedule
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+Long duration Basal 23 52 27 10
+hybrid
+Ist split 44 -- -- --
+2nd split 44 -- -- --
+Short duration Basal 14 35 20 10
+hybrid, composite Ist split 26 -- -- --
+2nd split 26 -- -- --
+Maize is sensitive to Zinc deficiency. Zinc deficient crop shows stunted growth and develop short
+inter-nodes. A white (or pale-yellowish) tissue with reddish veins appears on leaf blade. To mitigate
+it 10 kg/acre ZnSO4.7H2O or 6.5 kg/acre ZnSO4.H2O should be applied at sowing. Apply 10-15
+kg Sulphar and 0.5 kg Boron/acre in deficient soils.
+Fig: Zinc deficiency symptoms in maize
+6
+Weed management: Weeds significantly affect maize production and the critical period for crop-
+weed completion is 15-45 days after sowing.
+Cultural control of weeds: a) Two manual hoeing at 15 and 30 DAS; b) Inter-cropping of one or two
+rows of fodder cowpea in between maize rows reduces weed problem considerably; c) Always use
+weed free seeds for sowing; d) Do not spread un-decomposed compost in field because it may
+contain viable weed seeds; e) Do not allow the seed formation of weeds in fields.
+Chemical control of weeds: Pre-emergence Atrazine application @ 400 g ai/acre followed by one
+hand weeding at 35-40 days gives good weed control. Recommended dose of Atrazine at pre-
+emergence followed by either of the post-emergence herbicide (mentioned below) for effective
+weed control is also equally effective.
+a b
+Fig: (a) Maize field after weeding; (b) Maize field after Tembotrione spray
+7
+Selective herbicides for maize
+Herbicide Formulations Dose Time of application (DAS)
+(g a.i./acre)
+Atrazine 50% WP 400 0-2 (pre-emergence)
+Topramezone 33.6% SC 10 20-30 (Post emergence)
+Tembotrione 34.4% SC 48 20-30 (Post emergence)
+Precautions:
+l Use flat fan nozzle for herbicide spray.
+l Do not use under/over dose of herbicide.
+l While spraying weedicide sprayed field should not be stepped on, i.e. the farmer should move
+backward or sidewards.
+Saving crop in case of excess water damage: If water logging occurs in the field and damage is
+moderate, 6 kg/acre of urea in two sprays at weekly intervals may be applied. In case of moderate to
+severe damage, 25-50 kg urea/acre after the water flooding is over may be broadcasted.
+a b
+Fig: (a) Water-logged maize field (b) Growth reduction due to water-logging
+Plant Protection
+Major diseases: Maydis Leaf Blight (MLB), Bacterial Leaf and Sheath Blight (BLSB), Charcoal
+Rot (CR), Bacterial Stalk Rot (BSR), Rajasthan Downey Mildew (RDM), Curvularia Leaf Spot
+(CLS), Post Flowering Stalk Rot (PFSR), Brown strip Downey Mildew (BSDM) and Common
+Rust are major diseases of maize.
+8
+a b c
+d e f
+g h i
+Fig: Maize diseases (a) Maydis leaf blight; (b) Charcoal Rot; (c ) Bacterial stalk rot; (d) Rajasthan
+downey mildew; (e ) Curvularia leaf spot; (f) Bacterial leaf and sheath blight ; (g) Post flowering
+stalk rot; (h) Brown strip downey mildew; (i) Common rust
+9
+Disease management in maize
+Disease Cultural control Chemical control
+Maydis Deep ploughing of previous A) Seed treatment with Bavistin + Captan
+leaf blight crop residue through in 1:1 ratio @ 2.0 g/kg seed
+B) Spray Dithan Z-78 or Zineb @ 2.4-4
+g/litre water and repeat the spray at 8-
+10 days interval
+C) Grow MLB resistance varieties, if the
+disease incidence is regular
+Bacterial Stripping of two lower leaves A) Seed treatment with Bavistin + Captan
+leaf and along with leaf sheath in 1:1 ratio @ 2.0 g/kg seed
+sheath B) Spray of Sheethmar (Validamycin) @
+blight A). Deep ploughing, 2.7 ml/litre water
+Charcoal
+B). Crop rotation
+rot
+C). Maintain proper moisture
+during flowering
+Bacterial Stripping of two lower leaves A) Seed treatment with metalaxyl
+stalk rot along with leaf sheath (Ridomil 25 WP, Apron 35 SD) @ 2.5
+Rajasthan g/kg
+A). Field sanitation
+downey B) Foliar spray of metalaxyly (Apron 35
+mildew B). Destroy infected plant FN) @ 2-2.5 g/liter of water at very first
+appearance of disease
+Curvularia A) Spray (Carbendazim 12% + mecozeb
+leaf spot 62.7%) @ 2 g/liter water 35 and 55
+DAS
+B) If zineb is available, then spray Zineb
+75% @ 2 g/liter at 35 and 55 DAS
+10
+Disease Cultural control Chemical control
+Post A) Maintain optimum plant - - -
+flowering population
+stalk rot B) Avoid excess N
+C) Follow crop rotation with
+non-host crop like soybean
+D) Manage attack of stem borer
+as their injury predisposes
+to stalk rot
+Brown A) Field sanitation A) Seed treatment with metalaxyl
+strip B) Destroy infected plants (Ridomil 25 WP, Apron 35 SD) @ 2.5
+downey g/kg
+C) Weed control
+mildew B) Foliar spray of metalaxyly (Apron 35
+D) Maintain optimum plant
+FN) @ 2-2.5 g/litre of water at very
+stand
+first appearance of disease
+E) Planting before rainy
+season
+F) Maintain low seed moisture
+(9%) at planting
+Common A) Field sanitation Spray Diathane M-45 @ 2.4-4 g/litre
+rust B) Destroy infected plants water and repeat the spray at 8-10 days
+interval
+C) Weed control
+D) Maintain optimum plant
+stand
+E) Planting before rainy
+season
+F) Maintain low seed moisture
+(9%) at planting
+Major Insect Pests: Maize stem borer, Pink stem borer, Shoot fly and Fall army worm are major
+pest of maize Among these pests, Maize stem borer occurs in kharif, Pink stem borer in rabi and
+Shoot fly in spring season.
+11
+a b
+c d
+e f
+12
+a b
+Fig: Mazie pests (a) Maize stem bore; (b) Damage symptoms Maize stem borer; (c ) Fall armyworm
+larvae; (d) Damage symptoms of FAW; (e ) Pink stem borer; (f) Damage symptoms of Pink stem
+bore; (g )Shoot fly; (h) Damage symptoms of Shoot fly
+Management of maize pests
+Pest Cultural control Chemical control Biological control
+Maize Stem Grow cowpea in Spray the crop with Use Trichocards
+Borer (Kharif between maize rows chemicals like (Trichogrammachilonis)
+season pest) and as intercrop against Chlorantraniliprole on 15 days old crop @ 3
+Pink stem borer Maize stem borer. 18.5% SC @ 60 ml cards per acre
+(rabi season pest) per acre at 15-18 DAS
+Border planting of Place a pinch of
+sorghum (3-4 rows) Carbofuran 3% G in
+around maize crop whorl of infested
+against Maize stem maize plant at initial
+borer. stage of infestation
+13
+Pest Cultural control Chemical control Biological control
+Fall Army Worm Choose cultivars Whorl application of Whorl application of
+with tough husk either of pesticide either of biological
+cover formulations at 15-25
+days after sowing
+Border planting of A) Spinetoram11.7% A) 5% NSKE or
+sorghum (3-4 rows) SC @ 0.5ml/l azadirachtin 1500
+around maize crop ppm @ 5 ml/litre
+against Maize stem B) Thiamethoxam B) Metarhizium
+borer. 12.5% + Lambda anisopliae talc
+Cyhalothrin 9.5% formulation (1x108
+ZC @ 0.25 ml/l cfu/g) @ 5g/litre
+C ) C) Nomuraea rileyi rice
+Chlorantraniliprol grain formulation
+e 18.5% SC @ 0.4 (1x108 cfu/g) @
+ml/l 3g/litre
+D) Btk formulation @
+D) E m a m e c t i n 2ml/l of water
+benzoate 5 SG @
+0.4 g/l
+Intercropping with -- Release of Tricho-
+pulses and other gramma pretiosum @
+non-host crop 50000 Or Telenomus
+remus @ 10,000 per
+acre at weekly intervals
+Shoot fly Early planting in A) Seed treatment --
+(spring) first week of with Imidacloprid
+February 600 FS (Gaucho)
+@ 6 m l / k g o r
+Thiomethoxam 30
+FS @ 8ml/kg seed.
+B) Soil application of
+Furadan (Carbo-
+furan3G) @ 8-10
+kg per acre in the
+furrow during
+sowing is also
+helpful agains
+14
+Application of nitrogen and irrigation after control measures helps in faster recovery from pest
+damage.
+Bird management: Nearly ten bird species feed and damage maize cobs. The yield loss due to bird
+feeding is huge and ranges between 10 to 40% in the case of maize crop. To reduce the damage by
+Parakeets and crows, cover maize cobs by wrapping adjacent green leaves around them on outer
+four rows of the field. Acoustic devices also available in market which keep away depredatory birds
+from fields by producing recorded sounds. These devices produce natural sound of bird predators
+and alarm call of pest birds. Thus, the pest birds avoid the broadcast area. Beside this, reflective
+ribbons also scare birds through reflection of sunlight and humming noise produced by the wind.
+Harvesting and shelling: Maize can be harvested when the husk has dried and turned brown. Apart
+from hand-picking, combined harvester may also be used for quick harvesting. After manual
+harvesting, depending upon the cultivated area, manual shellers or maize dehusker-cum-sheller or
+maize thresher may be used for separating grains from cobs.
+Fig: Combine harvesting in maize
+Grain drying: During harvesting of maize, grain moisture content is quite high (~30-35%). Due to
+higher moisture content farmers cannot get good price of their produce. Beside this, storage at high
+grain moisture creates problems of fungal infection and can cause heating and loss of germination.
+Hence, after crop harvesting, produce drying is very much essential. Portable Maize Dryer can be
+used for reducing the moisture content of the cobs. It is tractor or electricity driven, portable and
+long lasting dryer. It can dry any type of grain and do not need pre-cleaning of grains. Its drying rate
+ranges between 2-10 t/h depending on crop type, grain moisture content etc. The optimum moisture
+in grain for long-term storage should be below 14%. Sun drying of the cobs and seeds is required in
+absence of other drying options prior to marketing as moisture above optimum level reduces market
+prices and increases chance of aflatoxin contamination.
+15
+Fig: Mobile batch dryer
+Grain storage: Large scale kharif maize harvesting during October-November and rabi maize in
+April-May months, result in price drop. Hence, to fetch better price, farmers generally store their
+produce for higher profitability. But, the higher atmospheric humidity, cloudy weather and higher
+grain moisture content leads to fungal infection and physical deterioration of maize grain. Hence,
+proper drying followed by moisture proof storage are very much needed for long term storage of
+maize grains. Pusa bin and metal bin are some cost-effective and moisture proof storage structures
+which can be used by maize farmers. Pusa bin is modification of ordinary mud storage structure. It
+is rectangular in shape and constructed of bricks and earth. To make it moisture proof, a plastic film
+(700 gauge) is used all around ((inner side) of bin. It can store up to 3 tonnes of well dried grains for
+longer period with minimum loss. Metal bin is moisture proof storage structure and made of steel or
+aluminium. The bin is durable and also commercially available. Its storage capacity ranges from 1
+to 10tonnes. Hermatic cocoons are another storage container having two plastic half-joined
+together with a air tight zip. It is made up of thin and ultra low permeable plastic with 500 times
+lesser permeability to oxygen than normal plastic. The air tight container prevent development of
+storage pest as it block respiration of pest (due to low oxygen). It does not allow moisture
+movement hence also prevent aflatoxin problem.
+Store grain pest management: Rice weevil and Angoumois grain moth are major pest of maize
+during storage. Following point should keep in mind during storage.
+l The moisture content of grain should be less than 12%.
+l Clean the storage bins before using them for storage.
+l Newer grains should not be mixed with older ones.
+l Staggered sun drying with short exposure to sun spread reduces insect infestation.
+16
+l Use of plant products such as Adathoda vasica, Azadirachta indica, Vitex negundo,
+Catharanthus roseus @ 2% w/w (20g /kg seed) have been found to be effective against storage
+pests.
+A.2. Rainfed kharif maize
+Sowing time: In rainfed regions sowing time is rain dependent and should be done just after
+monsoon occurance in end of June to second fortnight of July.
+Seed rate and spacing requirement in rainfed maize
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+7-8 70 x 20 -25 23,134 to 28,918
+Fertilizer scheduling: Organic nutrient supplementation to be given and inorganic N fertilizers is
+to be splitted into two doses, at basal and depending on moisture availability between knee high to
+tasseling stage.
+Rate of different fertilizers needed for rainfed maize crop
+Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Soil Type Schedule
+Urea DAP ZnSO4.7H2O
+Sandy loam to clay loam Basal 46 35 10
+soil with adequate 1st split
+moisture stored 24 -- --
+Loamy sand to sandy Basal
+35 18 --
+soils with low moisture
+1st split
+stored
+-- -- --
+Soil moisture conservation: For rainfed crops, soil moisture is the most limiting factor. Hence,
+moisture conservation practices are required to be followed to attain maximum yield.
+17
+Soil moisture conservation practice.
+l Plough the field against slope after pre-monsoon showers to enhance water
+absorption/filtration
+l Sowing and other operations should be carried out on contour/across the slope
+l Spread locally available mulching material in the last week of August
+l Application of the farm yard manure/compost @ 5-6 tonnes/acre
+Rest agronomic practices are same as discussed earlier.
+A.3. Rabi maize
+Sowing time: 15th October to 15th November is the best time, however this may vary for region to
+region.
+Sowing method: Before sowing, seed should be soaked overnight in warm (45oC at the time of seed
+soaking) water. This treatment helps in obtaining better plant stand and healthy crop. Sowing
+should be done on the southern side of the east-west ridge so that the optimum amount of sunshine is
+received and the seedbed remains warm.
+Seed rate and spacing requirement in rabi maize
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+20-22 60 x 20 33,333
+Intercropping: During the rabi season potato, table pea, onion, garlic, coriander, spinach,
+coriander, beetroot, cabbage etc. can be grown in between maize rows to ensure higher income of
+growers without harming the yield of winter maize.
+Fertilizer scheduling: The following fertilizer schedule should be used to get higher yield.
+Crop stage Schedule Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+4 2
+Before at sowing Basal
+26 70 40 10
+4 leaf stage 1st split 26 - - -
+8 leaf stage 2nd split 40 - - -
+Tasseling stage 3rd split 26 - - -
+Grain filling stage 4th split 6 - - -
+18
+Irrigation management: Four to six irrigations are needed for rabi season crop. If six irrigations
+are given, they should be applied as two before flowering, one at the time of flowering, two after
+flowering and one at the early grain-filling stage. If only five irrigations are given, one irrigation at
+the vegetative stage may be avoided; and if only four irrigations are given, irrigation after the dough
+stage may be avoided. The irrigation should, however be changed suitably if adequate rains are
+received. Rest management practices are similar to irrigated maize.
+A.4. Spring maize
+Sowing time: January 20 – February 20 is ideal sowing time for spring maize planting.
+Sowing method: Evaporative losses of water during spring season from the soil under flat as well
+as raised bed planting is higher and hence crop suffers from moisture stress. Under such conditions,
+it is always advisable to grow maize in furrows for proper growth, seed setting and higher
+productivity. Zero-till planning is beneficial in spring maize after harvesting of potato, mustard etc.
+Irrigation: Spring maize needs nearly 10-15 irrigations sometimes even higher as the evapo-
+transpiration demand is quite higher in summer season. Hence, a water use-efficient irrigation
+system i.e. drip method is desirable under spring sown maize. Apply first irrigation at 25-30 DAS.
+Under non-drip irrigation, apply irrigation at 2 weeks interval upto10th April and on per week basis
+after this, up to maturity. From water conservation point of view spring maize without drip
+irrigation is not recommended.
+Fertilizer scheduling: For higher yield, integrated nutrient management found beneficial for
+spring maize and organic sources option mentioned in kharif maize to be used along with chemical
+fertilizer mentioned as below:
+Rate of different fertilizers needed
+Varieties Schedule Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+4 2
+Medium duration Basal 33 55 27 10
+hybrid 1st split 33 -- --
+2nd split 33 -- --
+Medium duration Basal 25 27 27
+hybrid 1st split 25 -- --
+2nd split 25 -- --
+Rest management practices are similar to irrigated kharif maize for grain purpose.
+19
+B. Specialty corn/special purpose maize
+B.1. Pop corn
+Pop corn cultivation practices are similar to grain purpose as discussed earlier except the pop corn
+cultivars are shorter of duration (80-90 days). However, as a premier crop preferably to be grown
+under irrigated conditions. This crop needs isolation of at least 400 m from normal maize as
+pollination with normal maize deteriorates its popping quality. Generally, 10-15 days isolation in
+sowing time also ensures quality pop corn. As the plant type of the pop corn is weak and affected
+more by diseases and pest and thus should be preferably to be grown in mild climate i.e. winter
+season/hilly areas for better yield and quality.
+Seed and spacing requirement Seed and spacing requirement
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre) Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+4 - 5 60 x 20 33,724 4 - 5 60 x 20 33,724
+Rest management practices are similar to irrigated maize for grain purpose.
+B.2. Baby corn
+It is shortest duration maize crop and gets ready for harvesting within two months of planting and
+harvested in 60-70 days during kharif and 80-100 days in rabi season. This crop needs isolation of at
+least 400 m from normal maize as pollination deteriorates its quality. Generally, 10-15 days
+isolation in sowing time also ensures quality baby corn. Detasseling is needed in baby corn for
+quality assurance. It is done by removing the tassel of the plant as soon as it emerges from the flag
+leaf. It should be practiced row-wise. While detasseling, leaf should not be removed which will
+otherwise affect net photosynthesis and ultimately reduce average baby corn yield. However, this is
+not needed when male sterile baby corn cultivars are chosen for cultivation. Harvesting should be
+done in morning or evening and stored under cool conditions in shed. After dehusking cobs should
+preferably kept under wrap and refrigerated. The crop should be harvested after 1-3 days of silk
+emergence. The remaining plant portion (tassels, main stem, husks) serves as nutritious green
+fodder for livestock.
+Sowing time: The sowing to be avoided in areas receiving temperature of less than 10C at any of the
+crop growth stages for higher yield of baby corn. It can be sown round the year in India expect
+second fortnight of December to end of January in Northern India.
+Seed and spacing requirement
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+10 - 12 60*15-20 33,724 to 44,966
+20
+Intercropping: In general, short duration varieties of intercrops to be preferred for
+intercropping with baby corn. In kharif season, cowpea for green pods and fodder purposes
+and coriander for green leaves can be intercropped with baby corn. Baby corn can be
+intercropped with vegetable crops, viz., spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, coriander, sugar
+beet, radish etc which is particularly suitable in rabi season baby corn. Recommended dose
+of fertilizers of intercrops should be applied in addition to the recommended dose of
+fertilizers of baby corn.
+Fig: Maize based intercropping
+21
+Fertilizer scheduling: Since baby corn is consumed as vegetable organically grown baby corn has
+market demand both at local and international level. The organic input mentioned for the normal
+kharif maize to be used for organic baby corn production. For higher yield integrated nutrient
+management found beneficial for baby corn and organic sources option mentioned in kharif maize
+to be used along with chemical fertilizer mentioned as below:
+Crop stage Schedule Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+4 2
+Before/at sowing Basal 10 50 40 10
+4 leaf stage 1st split 26 -- -- --
+8 leaf stage
+2nd split 40 -- -- --
+Before detasseling
+After detasseling/ 3rd split 32 -- -- --
+one picking 4th split 20 -- -- --
+Irrigation management: Young seedlings, knee high stage, silking and picking are the most
+sensitive stages for water stress for baby corn and irrigation should be ensured at these stages. Light
+and frequent irrigations are desirable for baby corn.
+Pest Management: As duration of baby corn is short, it experiences lesser extent of pest damage.
+However, as it is consumed fresh pesticides should be applied judiciously, if required.
+Rest management practices for baby corn are similar to normal irrigated maize.
+B.3. Sweet corn
+This crop gets ready for harvesting just 20 days after pollination i.e. within 65-75 days in kharif and
+80-100 days in rabi season. At high temperature due to conversion of fructose into polysaccharides
+it losses flavor. Due to this reason, sweet corn cultivation should be avoided in spring season. This
+crop needs isolation of at least 400 m from normal maize as pollination deteriorates its quality.
+Generally, 10-15 days isolation in sowing time also ensures quality sweet corn. The cobs should be
+plucked during morning or evening time. Harvested green cobs should be immediately transported
+to the cold storage in refrigerated trucks. The maize plant parts after harvesting of cobs can be
+utilized as excellent green fodder. Intercrops as discussed in baby corn can also be grown with
+sweet corn successfully for higher profitability.
+Sowing time: The sowing to be avoided in areas receiving temperature of less than 10C at any of the
+crop growth stage. At sowing, temperature below 15C may lead to rotten seed. The increase in
+temperature to more than 35C at tasseling i.e. 45-55 days after sowing leads to tassel blast and lesser
+grain setting. Therefore, sweet corn can be sown from June to October and in February in Northern
+India and throughout the year in southern India.
+22
+Seed and spacing requirement
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+2.5-3 75x25-30 17,986 to 21,583
+Transplanting: Due to costlier seed and lesser plant population, seedling transplanting is
+beneficial in sweet corn. The seedling should be transplanted when plants are 15-25 cm tall.
+Transplanting is also beneficial for getting early sweet corn in market for fetching higher prices.
+However, there should be adequate moisture at the time of transplanting. To avoid damage by ants
+and other insects the nursery may be treated with furadon or similar granules.
+a b
+Fig: (a) Maize nursery (b) Transplanting of maize seedlings
+Fertilizer scheduling: The organic input mentioned for the normal kharif maize can be used for
+organic sweet corn production. For higher yield, integrated nutrient management found beneficial
+and organic sources option mentioned in kharif maize to be used along with chemical fertilizer
+mentioned as below:
+Crop stage Schedule Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+4 2
+Before/at sowing Basal 45 45 30 10
+25 DAS 1st split 35 -- -- --
+At flowering 2nd split 20 -- -- --
+23
+Irrigation management: The most critical period to have adequate moisture is during tasseling
+and silking. Growers should be prepared to irrigate at least 2.5-4.0 cm a week in order to produce
+high quality sweet corn.
+Pest Management: As duration of sweet corn is short and consumed, fresh pesticides should be
+applied judiciously, if required.
+Rest management practices for sweet corn are similar to normal irrigated maize.
+B.4. Maize for green cob
+The cultivation practices are very similar to sweet corn. The cob plucking should be done at 25-35
+days after flowering, when cob colour is still green and kernel are at soft dough stage. The green
+plants are excellent source of fodder. Remaining practices are same as of sweet corn.
+24
+C. Maize as fodder
+C.1. Maize for green fodder
+Tall, leafy, succulent, late maturing and stay-green type cultivars are desirable for fodder purpose.
+Sowing should be done using normal seed drill. Weeding in generally not required as the high-
+density planting leads to less penetration of sunlight resulting in poor growth of weeds.
+Sowing time: The sowing to be avoided in areas receiving temperature of less than 10C at any of the
+crop growth stages for higher yield of fodder maize. It can be sown round the year in India expect
+second fortnight of December to end of January in Northern India. However, fodder maize is most
+profitable in kharif season, which can be used for silage preparation.
+Seed and spacing requirement
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+25 30*10 134,898
+Fertilizer scheduling
+Crop stage Schedule Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+4 2
+Before/at sowing Basal 55 55 30 10
+25-30 DAS 1st split 55 -- -- --
+Harvesting should be done just after flowering (at 60-70 DAS) for better quality fodder. Rest
+agronomic management practices are similar to kharif irrigated maize.
+C.2. Maize for silage making
+All the cultivation practices are similar to kharif/spring sown irrigated maize except harvesting,
+which should be done 25-30 days after flowering (milky to dough stage of grain). Harvesting of
+maize for silage purpose may be done using Fodder Auto-chopper Loader Machine. Silage can be
+prepared easily by silo pack machine. This machine can cut and crash the green fodder, load it in the
+50 kg air tight plastic bag and compress it. After this process, the bag can be sealed with thread and
+can be stored in open place for ensiling (process of silage making). These 50 kg capacity bags are
+easy to handle and transport.
+25
+D. Zero till and conservation agriculture based maize cultivation
+Under zero till (ZT) cultivation, planting is to be done in stubble of previous crop without any soil
+disturbance/tillage operation. This saves diesel, tractor's working time and labor and offer timely
+sowing of succeeding crops. Seed and fertilizers should be placed in band using zero-till Seed-cum-
+Fertilizer Planter with furrow opener or happy seeder. Weed management is entirely dependent on
+chemicals as tillage and hand hoeing is prohibited in ZT maize. Destroy the weed before seeding by
+pre-plant application (10-15 days prior to seeding) of non-selective herbicides, viz., paraquat @ 0.2
+kg a.i. per acre in 600 litre water. Under heavy weed infestation, post-emergence application of
+selective herbicides (mentioned earlier) should be done.
+ZT along with surface residue application and diversified crop rotation is known as conservation
+agriculture. Surface residue retention improves soil physical, chemical and biological activities,
+reduces soil erosion & evaporation and also moderate soil temperature. Diversified crop rotation
+break the disease cycle and also improve soil fertility. Zero till planter (under lesser residue load)
+and happy seeder (under heavy residue load) can be used for planting in no-till field.
+Difference in management practices under conventional and conservation agriculture
+Practices Conventional agriculture Conservation agriculture
+Tillage, sowing and Soil is manipulated 4-5 times Soil is disturb to a minimum
+intercultural operation for tillage operation, seeding extent as tillage and inter-
+and intercultural operations. cultural operations are
+completely avoided and
+sowing is done by opening
+narrow furrow just to put seed.
+Cropping system Mono-cropping/less efficient Diversified crop rotations
+rotation
+Residue management Remove/burn Keep on soil surface
+Weed management Hand weeding and/or Herbicide application
+herbicide application
+26
+Effect of conventional and conservation agriculture based practices
+Particular Conventional agriculture Conservation agriculture
+Fuel consumption More Lesser
+Cost of land preparation More Lesser
+Sowing of succeeding crop Delay Timely
+Soil health Poor Good
+Soil compaction More Lesser
+Water logging More Lesser
+Soil erosion More Less
+a b
+Fig: (a) Zero till planting of maize in mungbean residue; (b) Surface residue retention in maize
+27
+Recommended maize varieties(released in last 6 years)
+Variety Zone Yield Maturity Season Year of
+(t/ha) (days) release
+Normal maize
+DMRH 1305 NHZ 6.5 Early Kharif 2018
+DMRH-1301 NEPZ, CWZ 9.9 94-96 Rabi 2018
+GAWMH-2 Gujarat - Early Kharif 2018
+DMRH-1308 CWZ 9.6 92-94 Rabi 2018
+Karimnagar Makka PZ 7.9 90-95 Rainfed kharif 2017
+Pant Shankar Makka-4 Uttarakhand 4.6 82-84 Kharif 2017
+Central Maize VL 55 NHZ, PZ 7.6 95-97 Kharif 2017
+PMH-10 Punjab 11.7 175-180 Spring 2016
+Hema Karnataka 5.6 120-125 Spring 2016
+Pratap Makka-9 Rajasthan 4.8 81-87 Kharif, rabi 2016
+Palam Shankar Makka-2 NHZ 9.8 Medium Kharif 2016
+Pratap Hybrid CWZ 5.6 Early Kharif 2016
+Kharif Maize-3
+Karimnagar makka-1 Telangana 9.5 Medium Kharif ,rabi 2016
+PMH-8 Punjab 8.3 112 Spring 2016
+Palam shankar makka-1 CWZ 5.3 Late Kharif 2015
+CoH(M) 10 PZ 7.2 Medium Kharif 2015
+HM-13 NHZ 6.6 Early Kharif 2015
+PMH-6 NEPZ 6.3 Medium Kharif 2015
+CoH(M) 7 NEPZ, PZ 7.8 Late Kharif 2014
+CoH(M) 8 NWPZ, NEPZ, PZ, CWZ 7.1 Medium Kharif 2014
+CoH(M) 9 NEPZ, CWZ 6.4 Medium Kharif 2014
+DHM-121 NEPZ, CWZ 5.4 Medium Kharif 2014
+GH-0727 Karnataka 7.5 Late Kharif 2014
+Vivek Maize Hybrid-47 NHZ 6.9 Early Kharif 2014
+Vivek Maize Hybrid -53 NHZ 6.9 Extra-early Kharif 2014
+Vivek Maize Hybrid -51 CWZ 5.1 Extra early Kharif 2014
+28
+Variety Zone Yield Maturity Season Year of
+(t/ha) (days) release
+QPM/EDV
+Pusa HM-8 Improved PZ 6.3 90-95 Kharif 2017
+Pusa HM-9 Improved NEPZ 5.2 85-90 2017
+Kharif
+Pusa HM-4 Improved NWPZ, NEPZ 6.4 90-95 Kharif 2017
+Pusa Vivek QPM-9 NHZ, CWZ 5.6 80-85 Kharif 2017
+Improved
+Shaktiman-5 NEPZ 5.5 Medium Kharif & 2018
+& 8.0 Rabi
+Shalimar QPMH-1 J & K 6 135 Kharif 2019
+SWEET CORN
+-
+Shalimar Sweet Corn-1 J & K 90-95 Kharif 2019
+-
+VL Sweet Corn Hybrid-2 NHZ 90-95 Kharif 2019
+10.8
+Central Maize CL Sweet NHZ, NWPZ 90-95 Kharif 2016
+Corn-1
+BABY CORN
+IMHB1539 NHZ 1.3 Short Kharif 2018
+IMHB1532 NWPZ, CWZ 2.0 Short Kharif 2018
+Vivek Hybrid 27 NHZ, CWZ 2.2 95-97 Kharif 2017
+POPCORN
+DMRHP-1402 NEPZ, CWZ 3.9 75-77 Kharif 2018
+Shalimar Pop Corn-1 NHZ, NWPZ, NEPZ, PZ 3.9 95-100 Kharif 2017
+BPCH-6 NHZ,CWZ, PZ, NEPZ, 3.2 Early Kharif 2015
+NWPZ
+29
+Notes
+30

maize_data.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,822 @@
+Maize Production
+for Food, Feed and Fodder
+S.D. Bamboriya
+Mukesh Choudhary
+Alla Singh
+S.L. Jat
+Sujay Rakshit
+ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, PAU Campus
+Ludhiana, Punjab-141 004 ((India)
+Website: https://iimr.icar.gov.in
+Email: director.maize@icar.gov.in,pdmaize@gmail.com
+Phone: +91-161-2440047-48, Fax: +91 161 2430038
+Citation: S.D. Bamboriya, Mukesh Choudhary, Alla Singh, S.L. Jat and Sujay Rakshit.
+Maize production for food, feed and fodder. IIMR Technical Bulletin
+2020/2.Indian Institute of Maize Research, PAU Campus, Ludhiana-
+141004.
+Published in 2020
+Published by:
+ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research
+PAU Campus, Ludhiana, Punjab- 141 004 (India)
+Website: https://iimr.icar.gov.in
+Email: director.maize@icar.gov.in,pdmaize@gmail.com
+Phone: +91-161-2440047-48, Fax: +91 161 2430038
+Printed by:
+Azad Offset Printers : # 144, Press Site, Indl. Area-1, Chandigarh
+Tel. : 0172-4611489, 2656144, 2657144
+Email: aop144@gmail.com
+FOREWARD
+Maize (Zea mays L.), the queen of cereals, surpasses all other food crops in its ability to
+adapt to the diverse agro-ecological niches and being cultivated from 58oN to 55oS
+latitude. It is the leading cereal crop in the world with more than one billion tonne
+production. In India, it holds third rank among the cereals, after rice and wheat in terms
+of area and production. Traditionally, maize is grown as a kharif crop in India, but from
+1970s its expansion started in rabi season and later on in the spring season too. Now,
+the crop is grown round the year and in all agro-ecologies throughout India, not only for
+grain but also for specialized purposes like sweet corn, baby corn and for silage
+making.
+Maize is widely used as food, feed, fodder, industrial raw material and in recent past for
+bio-fuel production. It is a key crop in doubling farmers' income as maize can be
+integrated effectively with dairy, poultry, fisheries and piggery. Speciality corns has a
+special role in value chain development. Considering the changing food habits in India,
+the demand of maize is supposed to increase in the near future. To meet the growing
+demand, there is a need to enhance maize productivity through adoption of the best
+production practices by the maize farmers.
+I am happy to know that ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana is
+bringing out a publication on ''Maize production for food, feed and fodder'' which have
+complete cultivation information for normal and specialty maize right from the sowing
+to harvesting. I congratulate the authors for their contributions in bringing out this
+comprehensive and important publication. I am sure that this publication will be useful
+for researcher, farmers and other stakeholders for enhancing the maize production and
+productivity in the country.
+(T R Sharma)
+E-mail:ddgcs.icar@nic.in Phone:91-11-23382545 Fax:91-11-23097003
+PREFACE
+Declining water resources, degrading soil health, higher production cost, lesser
+profitability and climate change are the major challenge before Indian agriculture.
+Resource use smart crops which can give more profit from lesser resources are need of
+the hour. Maize is one such crop with highest production potential and comparatively
+lesser water foot-prints. It is a multi-purpose crop being used as food, feed, fodder, and
+raw material for various industrial products including bio-fuels.
+Maize is the leading cereal crop in the world with more than one billion tonne
+production and in India it holds third rank after rice and wheat in terms of area and
+production. Traditionally maize in India used to be consumed as food crop. However,
+over time maize has become rather an industrial crop than food crop as over 75% of the
+maize produced in India is used for industrial purchases, mostly as feed and source of
+starches. Being industrial in nature maize can ensure higher remuneration. Further,
+specialty corns, baby corn and sweet corn with short to medium duration cropping
+period can play important role in diversification in peri-urban agricultural systems and
+nutritional garden. They fit well in integrated farming system, where the byproduct of
+specialty corn, i.e. green fodder can support livestock very well. During last 50 years,
+maize productivity has increased from around 0.99 t/ha to 3.1 t/ha but still we are far
+behind leading maize producing nations. Lesser adoption of improved production
+practices is one among the key factors contributing low productivity of Indian maize,
+besides prevalence of rainfed growing condition, limiting effects of various biotic and
+abiotic stresses among others. Improved high yielding cultivars coupled with better
+crop management is bound to increase productivity of maize in India.
+The compiled production practices of various types of maize is expected help to
+researcher, extension workers and farmers in enhancing maize production and
+productivity in the country.
+Authors
+April 2020
+Ludhiana (Punjab)
+Table of Content
+Parts Description Page No.
+Part I Introduction
+Part II Maize for grain purpose
+Irrigated kharif maize
+Rainfed kharif maize
+Irrigated rabi maize
+Irrigated spring maize
+Part III Specialty maize
+Pop corn
+Baby corn
+Sweet corn
+Maize for green cob
+Part IV Maize as fodder
+Green fodder maize
+Silage maize
+Part V Zero till and conservation agriculture based maize
+Part VI Recommended public sector maize varieties
+Maize Production for Food, Feed and Fodder
+Introduction
+Climate change has far serious implications concerning the food and nutritional security of nations
+like India where agriculture is the backbone of nation's economy and growing population is the
+biggest reason to worry. Rural India largely depends on its natural resources and farming for
+earning its livelihood and food security and climate change affects the natural ecosystem
+progressively. In future, it will be even more difficult to predict occurrences of phenomena such as
+droughts, floods, cloud bursts, etc. due to climate change. Consequently, farmers must adapt to the
+changing climate to ensure optimum crop yields and farm income. Farmers in general and small and
+marginal farmers in particular must enhance the resilience of agriculture to face the upcoming
+challenges. Transforming agriculture through adoption of climate resilient practices and
+technologies would be inevitable to stabilize agricultural production and enhance farmer's income.
+Participatory demonstration of location specific and climate smart technologies is
+necessary for enabling farmers to cope climatic variability and extreme weather phenomenon.
+Adoption and spread of these climate resilient technologies would help farmers fetch adaption
+gains and reduce the Green House Gas (GHG) emissions alongside. Considering the urgent need to
+address the issue of climate change at the farm level, Indian Council of Agricultural Research
+(ICAR) launched National Initiatives in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) in February, 2011,
+which was renamed as National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) to
+emphasize the role of evolving innovations. Resilience is the capability of the production system to
+resist negative impacts of climate change and also the capacity to recover quickly after the damage.
+Therefore, National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) was formulated to
+develop and demonstrate region specific improved technologies that would enhance the resilience
+of Indian agriculture to climate change thereby addressing climate vulnerability and its negative
+impacts. The emphasis on adaptation to climate variability necessitates appropriate responses to
+contingency situations. Considering the need to enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture
+production system to climate variability and climate change, the center theme should be the
+Sustainability of the production systems facing natural resource degradation. Thus, the centre of
+attraction in NICRA is not the enhancement of productivity but the ability of the existing system to
+cope with the vulnerability and to improve the natural resource use efficiency for sustaining the
+productivity gains that have been achieved already. The project aimed to enhance resilience of
+Indian agriculture to climate change and climate variability through its different components
+namely Strategic Research, Technology Demonstration, Capacity Building and
+Sponsored/Competitive Grants.
+1
+Uses of Maize
+Feed
+Approximately 60% of total maize production in India is used for preparation of concentrated feeds
+for cattle, poultry and piggery as source of energy. Fishery feed also uses maize as an important
+component. The yellow colour of maize is very useful in providing yellow colour to egg yolk and
+yellow tinge to the milk.
+Food
+Grain maize, pop corn, baby corn, sweet corn and green maize cobs are widely used as human food.
+Most commonly used forms are as Chapattis, porridges, corn flakes, boiled or roasted green ears,
+pop corn, baby corn products like salad, vegetable, pickle, pakoda, kheer, laddu and halwa; sweet
+corn products like soup, chat, corn cheese balls, masala corn and salad etc. Around 13% of total
+maize grain production in India is used as food and 7% as processed food, however this does not
+include use of specialty maize, particularly baby corn, sweet corn and green cobs.
+Industrial uses
+Maize acts as a raw material in the manufacture of starch, syrup, dextrose, oil, gelatine etc. Corn
+flour is used as a thickening agent in the preparation of many edibles like soups, sauces and custard
+powder. Corn syrup is used as sweetener in processed foods such as soft drinks and candies. Corn
+sugar (dextrose) is used in pharmaceutical formulations. Maize oil is widely used as a cooking
+medium and it has the quality of reducing cholesterol in the human blood. Maize oil has use in
+cosmetics and pain industry as well. Corn gel because of its moisture retention character is used as a
+bonding agent for ice-cream cones. Maize stalks are made into paper and wall board; husks are used
+as filling material; cobs are used directly for fuel, to make furfurol, fermentable sugars, solvents,
+liquid fuels, charcoal, pulp, paper and hard boards. Approximate 14% of total maize production in
+India is utilised for industrial purposes.
+Bio fuel and bioplastic
+Maize is also used for liquid bio-fuel (ethanol) production in USA. The ethanol is used as
+transportation fuel after blending with gasoline. India is also slowly opening up use of maize grain
+for ethanol production. The maize starch is also used for making biodegradable plastic using poly
+lactic acid (PLA) which will be very useful in the scenario of banning single use of plastic.
+Forage and silage
+Maize stalk is used to feed dairy animals in the form of green fodder, dry roughages andsilage.
+Maize fodder has higher digestibility than any other non-leguminous forage crops and it does not
+contain any toxic substances. Maize is also preferred for silage making over other fodders, as maize
+plant is easy to chaff, requires less labour and its silage is soft.
+2
+Brief Cultivation Facts
+A. Maize for grain
+A.1. Irrigated kharif maize
+Sowing time: Generally, the ideal sowing time is June 20 to end of July. However, in fields where
+water stagnation may occur, early sowing is desirable so that plant reaches a firm stand to avoid
+lodging associated with water logging.
+Soil: Maize is very sensitive to water-logging and considerable yield losses occur if, the crop faces
+water-stagnation for more than two days. Hence, it is better to plant the crop on well-drained sandy-
+loam to silty-loam soils.
+Land preparation: Maize needs well pulverized and smooth field for quick seed emergence and
+root growth. Hence, two harrowing followed by one planking is needed for field preparation and
+early season weed management. Maize can also be successfully produced under zero-till conditions
+using happy seeder or zero till multi-crop planter.
+a b
+Fig: Land preparation (a) harrowing; (b) land leveling
+Farm-equipments: Mould board plough (MB plough), disc or tine harrow, land-leveler, maize
+planter, narrow bed planter, pneumatic planter, wide bed planter etc.
+3
+a b
+c d
+Fig: Maize planting equipment (a) Ridge planter; (b) Maize planter;
+(c) Pneumatic planter; (d) Wide bed planter
+Seed rate and seed treatment: Eight kg seed of field corn is needed for seeding in one acre area.
+Seeds should be treated with any of the following fungicides and insecticides before sowing to
+protect the crop from most prevalent (seed and soil borne) diseases and insect-pests.
+1) Bavistin + Captan in 1:1 ratio@2g/kg seed for Turcicum leaf blight, Banded leaf and sheath
+blight, Maydis leaf blight etc.
+2) Apran 35 SD@4g/kg seed for Brown stripe downy mildew
+3) Captan 2.5g/kg for Pythium Stalk Rot
+4) Imidachlorpid (Gaucho) @ 6 ml/kg or Fipronil @4ml/Kg seed for termite and shoot fly.
+5) Thiamethoxam + Cyantraniliprole @ 4 ml/kg seed for fall armyworm.
+Any of the above seed treatment may be selected depending upon predominant biotic stresses.
+Sowing method: In kharif sown maize, raised bed planting is recommended to protect the crop
+from water logging. In raised bed planting, 70 cm wide ridges (40 cm ridge and 30 cm furrow) are
+prepared with the help of bed planter. Bed planter with incline plate seed metering system can
+precisely place the maize seed at required depth and does simultaneous operation of raised beds
+making and planting. One line of maize on each raised bed is desirable when sole crop of maize is
+planted keeping seed to seed spacing at 20 cm. Optimum plant density (30,000/acre) should be
+maintained to tap full potentials of hybrids. Southern side planting is advised on East-West oriented
+4
+ridges. Happy seeder or zero-till bed planters with inclined plate to be used for crop establishment
+under zero tillage or for sowing under crop residue.
+Sowing depth: For proper germination and early vigor, seed should be sown at 3.5-5.0 cm depth.
+Inter cropping: One row of either (a) Cowpea for fodder; (b) Soybean/urdbean/mungbean for
+grain; (c) Groundnut for pods, in between two consecutive rows of maize is desirable for inter-
+cropping with maize. The shade loving crops like turmeric and ginger can also be successfully
+cultivated as intercrop with maize. Herbicides should not be used for weed control in inter-cropping
+system. In case of intercropped maize slightly higher doses of fertilizers should be applied than
+sole crop.
+Irrigation management: Water requirement of maize is 500–800 mm per growing season. During
+kharif season, partially water requirement is met by rainfall. Hence, 1-4 irrigations are required,
+which may vary depending on frequency of rainfall. Adequate moisture at germination, pre-
+tasseling, silking and grain-filling stages should be ensured through irrigation, if rainfall is not
+there. If available, the sprinkler irrigation up to knee length stage is very good for maize crop. In
+ridge-sown crop, irrigation should be given in furrow up to 2/3 of height of the ridge.
+Nutrient management: Hybrid maize is very responsive to nutrient application and has slightly
+high nutrient requirement as compare to other cereals due to high yield potential. It can be grown
+both organically or by integrated nutrient management involving organic and inorganic nutrient
+supplementation.
+Organic nutrient management: Following options for nutrient management in organic maize
+production to be used based on availability in suitable combination
+l Green manuring: Green manuring crops like dhaincha/sunhemp/cowpea at 12/20/20 kg
+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.
+l Straw of summer mungbean/cowpea may be buried before sowing of maize
+l Farm yard manure/Compost @ 6 tonnes/acre or vermicompost @ 3 tonnes/acre
+l Application of Azatobacter/Azospirillum with PSB and NPK consortia for seed
+treatment @ 200 g/acre or liquid formulation @ 100 ml/acre.
+Integrated nutrient management: Application of 6 tonnes/acre well decomposed farm yard
+manure/compost mixed with Azatobacter/Azospirillum with PSB, VAM and NPK consortia @ 5-6
+kg/acre or seed treatment with Azatobacter/Azospirillum with PSB and NPK consortia @ 200 g
+each/acre or liquid formulation @ 100 ml/acre needed for better moisture retention and initial boost
+of the crop. Macro- and micro-nutrient requirements of the crop need to be accomplished through
+use of suitable fertilizers. The following schedule of fertilizer may be used:
+5
+Crop Stage Fertilizers scheduling
+Sowing (Basal) Drill full dose of P, K and 1/3 of N-fertilizer dose, micro-
+nutrient application
+Knee-high (Ist split) Top dress 1/3 N-fertilizer dose and micronutrient spray
+Pre-tasseling (2nd split) Top dressing of remaining 1/3 N-fertilizer dose and micro-
+nutrient spray
+Rate of different fertilizers
+Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Varieties Sehedule
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+Long duration Basal 23 52 27 10
+hybrid
+Ist split 44 -- -- --
+2nd split 44 -- -- --
+Short duration Basal 14 35 20 10
+hybrid, composite Ist split 26 -- -- --
+2nd split 26 -- -- --
+Maize is sensitive to Zinc deficiency. Zinc deficient crop shows stunted growth and develop short
+inter-nodes. A white (or pale-yellowish) tissue with reddish veins appears on leaf blade. To mitigate
+it 10 kg/acre ZnSO4.7H2O or 6.5 kg/acre ZnSO4.H2O should be applied at sowing. Apply 10-15
+kg Sulphar and 0.5 kg Boron/acre in deficient soils.
+Fig: Zinc deficiency symptoms in maize
+6
+Weed management: Weeds significantly affect maize production and the critical period for crop-
+weed completion is 15-45 days after sowing.
+Cultural control of weeds: a) Two manual hoeing at 15 and 30 DAS; b) Inter-cropping of one or two
+rows of fodder cowpea in between maize rows reduces weed problem considerably; c) Always use
+weed free seeds for sowing; d) Do not spread un-decomposed compost in field because it may
+contain viable weed seeds; e) Do not allow the seed formation of weeds in fields.
+Chemical control of weeds: Pre-emergence Atrazine application @ 400 g ai/acre followed by one
+hand weeding at 35-40 days gives good weed control. Recommended dose of Atrazine at pre-
+emergence followed by either of the post-emergence herbicide (mentioned below) for effective
+weed control is also equally effective.
+a b
+Fig: (a) Maize field after weeding; (b) Maize field after Tembotrione spray
+7
+Selective herbicides for maize
+Herbicide Formulations Dose Time of application (DAS)
+(g a.i./acre)
+Atrazine 50% WP 400 0-2 (pre-emergence)
+Topramezone 33.6% SC 10 20-30 (Post emergence)
+Tembotrione 34.4% SC 48 20-30 (Post emergence)
+Precautions:
+l Use flat fan nozzle for herbicide spray.
+l Do not use under/over dose of herbicide.
+l While spraying weedicide sprayed field should not be stepped on, i.e. the farmer should move
+backward or sidewards.
+Saving crop in case of excess water damage: If water logging occurs in the field and damage is
+moderate, 6 kg/acre of urea in two sprays at weekly intervals may be applied. In case of moderate to
+severe damage, 25-50 kg urea/acre after the water flooding is over may be broadcasted.
+a b
+Fig: (a) Water-logged maize field (b) Growth reduction due to water-logging
+Plant Protection
+Major diseases: Maydis Leaf Blight (MLB), Bacterial Leaf and Sheath Blight (BLSB), Charcoal
+Rot (CR), Bacterial Stalk Rot (BSR), Rajasthan Downey Mildew (RDM), Curvularia Leaf Spot
+(CLS), Post Flowering Stalk Rot (PFSR), Brown strip Downey Mildew (BSDM) and Common
+Rust are major diseases of maize.
+8
+a b c
+d e f
+g h i
+Fig: Maize diseases (a) Maydis leaf blight; (b) Charcoal Rot; (c ) Bacterial stalk rot; (d) Rajasthan
+downey mildew; (e ) Curvularia leaf spot; (f) Bacterial leaf and sheath blight ; (g) Post flowering
+stalk rot; (h) Brown strip downey mildew; (i) Common rust
+9
+Disease management in maize
+Disease Cultural control Chemical control
+Maydis Deep ploughing of previous A) Seed treatment with Bavistin + Captan
+leaf blight crop residue through in 1:1 ratio @ 2.0 g/kg seed
+B) Spray Dithan Z-78 or Zineb @ 2.4-4
+g/litre water and repeat the spray at 8-
+10 days interval
+C) Grow MLB resistance varieties, if the
+disease incidence is regular
+Bacterial Stripping of two lower leaves A) Seed treatment with Bavistin + Captan
+leaf and along with leaf sheath in 1:1 ratio @ 2.0 g/kg seed
+sheath B) Spray of Sheethmar (Validamycin) @
+blight A). Deep ploughing, 2.7 ml/litre water
+Charcoal
+B). Crop rotation
+rot
+C). Maintain proper moisture
+during flowering
+Bacterial Stripping of two lower leaves A) Seed treatment with metalaxyl
+stalk rot along with leaf sheath (Ridomil 25 WP, Apron 35 SD) @ 2.5
+Rajasthan g/kg
+A). Field sanitation
+downey B) Foliar spray of metalaxyly (Apron 35
+mildew B). Destroy infected plant FN) @ 2-2.5 g/liter of water at very first
+appearance of disease
+Curvularia A) Spray (Carbendazim 12% + mecozeb
+leaf spot 62.7%) @ 2 g/liter water 35 and 55
+DAS
+B) If zineb is available, then spray Zineb
+75% @ 2 g/liter at 35 and 55 DAS
+10
+Disease Cultural control Chemical control
+Post A) Maintain optimum plant - - -
+flowering population
+stalk rot B) Avoid excess N
+C) Follow crop rotation with
+non-host crop like soybean
+D) Manage attack of stem borer
+as their injury predisposes
+to stalk rot
+Brown A) Field sanitation A) Seed treatment with metalaxyl
+strip B) Destroy infected plants (Ridomil 25 WP, Apron 35 SD) @ 2.5
+downey g/kg
+C) Weed control
+mildew B) Foliar spray of metalaxyly (Apron 35
+D) Maintain optimum plant
+FN) @ 2-2.5 g/litre of water at very
+stand
+first appearance of disease
+E) Planting before rainy
+season
+F) Maintain low seed moisture
+(9%) at planting
+Common A) Field sanitation Spray Diathane M-45 @ 2.4-4 g/litre
+rust B) Destroy infected plants water and repeat the spray at 8-10 days
+interval
+C) Weed control
+D) Maintain optimum plant
+stand
+E) Planting before rainy
+season
+F) Maintain low seed moisture
+(9%) at planting
+Major Insect Pests: Maize stem borer, Pink stem borer, Shoot fly and Fall army worm are major
+pest of maize Among these pests, Maize stem borer occurs in kharif, Pink stem borer in rabi and
+Shoot fly in spring season.
+11
+a b
+c d
+e f
+12
+a b
+Fig: Mazie pests (a) Maize stem bore; (b) Damage symptoms Maize stem borer; (c ) Fall armyworm
+larvae; (d) Damage symptoms of FAW; (e ) Pink stem borer; (f) Damage symptoms of Pink stem
+bore; (g )Shoot fly; (h) Damage symptoms of Shoot fly
+Management of maize pests
+Pest Cultural control Chemical control Biological control
+Maize Stem Grow cowpea in Spray the crop with Use Trichocards
+Borer (Kharif between maize rows chemicals like (Trichogrammachilonis)
+season pest) and as intercrop against Chlorantraniliprole on 15 days old crop @ 3
+Pink stem borer Maize stem borer. 18.5% SC @ 60 ml cards per acre
+(rabi season pest) per acre at 15-18 DAS
+Border planting of Place a pinch of
+sorghum (3-4 rows) Carbofuran 3% G in
+around maize crop whorl of infested
+against Maize stem maize plant at initial
+borer. stage of infestation
+13
+Pest Cultural control Chemical control Biological control
+Fall Army Worm Choose cultivars Whorl application of Whorl application of
+with tough husk either of pesticide either of biological
+cover formulations at 15-25
+days after sowing
+Border planting of A) Spinetoram11.7% A) 5% NSKE or
+sorghum (3-4 rows) SC @ 0.5ml/l azadirachtin 1500
+around maize crop ppm @ 5 ml/litre
+against Maize stem B) Thiamethoxam B) Metarhizium
+borer. 12.5% + Lambda anisopliae talc
+Cyhalothrin 9.5% formulation (1x108
+ZC @ 0.25 ml/l cfu/g) @ 5g/litre
+C ) C) Nomuraea rileyi rice
+Chlorantraniliprol grain formulation
+e 18.5% SC @ 0.4 (1x108 cfu/g) @
+ml/l 3g/litre
+D) Btk formulation @
+D) E m a m e c t i n 2ml/l of water
+benzoate 5 SG @
+0.4 g/l
+Intercropping with -- Release of Tricho-
+pulses and other gramma pretiosum @
+non-host crop 50000 Or Telenomus
+remus @ 10,000 per
+acre at weekly intervals
+Shoot fly Early planting in A) Seed treatment --
+(spring) first week of with Imidacloprid
+February 600 FS (Gaucho)
+@ 6 m l / k g o r
+Thiomethoxam 30
+FS @ 8ml/kg seed.
+B) Soil application of
+Furadan (Carbo-
+furan3G) @ 8-10
+kg per acre in the
+furrow during
+sowing is also
+helpful agains
+14
+Application of nitrogen and irrigation after control measures helps in faster recovery from pest
+damage.
+Bird management: Nearly ten bird species feed and damage maize cobs. The yield loss due to bird
+feeding is huge and ranges between 10 to 40% in the case of maize crop. To reduce the damage by
+Parakeets and crows, cover maize cobs by wrapping adjacent green leaves around them on outer
+four rows of the field. Acoustic devices also available in market which keep away depredatory birds
+from fields by producing recorded sounds. These devices produce natural sound of bird predators
+and alarm call of pest birds. Thus, the pest birds avoid the broadcast area. Beside this, reflective
+ribbons also scare birds through reflection of sunlight and humming noise produced by the wind.
+Harvesting and shelling: Maize can be harvested when the husk has dried and turned brown. Apart
+from hand-picking, combined harvester may also be used for quick harvesting. After manual
+harvesting, depending upon the cultivated area, manual shellers or maize dehusker-cum-sheller or
+maize thresher may be used for separating grains from cobs.
+Fig: Combine harvesting in maize
+Grain drying: During harvesting of maize, grain moisture content is quite high (~30-35%). Due to
+higher moisture content farmers cannot get good price of their produce. Beside this, storage at high
+grain moisture creates problems of fungal infection and can cause heating and loss of germination.
+Hence, after crop harvesting, produce drying is very much essential. Portable Maize Dryer can be
+used for reducing the moisture content of the cobs. It is tractor or electricity driven, portable and
+long lasting dryer. It can dry any type of grain and do not need pre-cleaning of grains. Its drying rate
+ranges between 2-10 t/h depending on crop type, grain moisture content etc. The optimum moisture
+in grain for long-term storage should be below 14%. Sun drying of the cobs and seeds is required in
+absence of other drying options prior to marketing as moisture above optimum level reduces market
+prices and increases chance of aflatoxin contamination.
+15
+Fig: Mobile batch dryer
+Grain storage: Large scale kharif maize harvesting during October-November and rabi maize in
+April-May months, result in price drop. Hence, to fetch better price, farmers generally store their
+produce for higher profitability. But, the higher atmospheric humidity, cloudy weather and higher
+grain moisture content leads to fungal infection and physical deterioration of maize grain. Hence,
+proper drying followed by moisture proof storage are very much needed for long term storage of
+maize grains. Pusa bin and metal bin are some cost-effective and moisture proof storage structures
+which can be used by maize farmers. Pusa bin is modification of ordinary mud storage structure. It
+is rectangular in shape and constructed of bricks and earth. To make it moisture proof, a plastic film
+(700 gauge) is used all around ((inner side) of bin. It can store up to 3 tonnes of well dried grains for
+longer period with minimum loss. Metal bin is moisture proof storage structure and made of steel or
+aluminium. The bin is durable and also commercially available. Its storage capacity ranges from 1
+to 10tonnes. Hermatic cocoons are another storage container having two plastic half-joined
+together with a air tight zip. It is made up of thin and ultra low permeable plastic with 500 times
+lesser permeability to oxygen than normal plastic. The air tight container prevent development of
+storage pest as it block respiration of pest (due to low oxygen). It does not allow moisture
+movement hence also prevent aflatoxin problem.
+Store grain pest management: Rice weevil and Angoumois grain moth are major pest of maize
+during storage. Following point should keep in mind during storage.
+l The moisture content of grain should be less than 12%.
+l Clean the storage bins before using them for storage.
+l Newer grains should not be mixed with older ones.
+l Staggered sun drying with short exposure to sun spread reduces insect infestation.
+16
+l Use of plant products such as Adathoda vasica, Azadirachta indica, Vitex negundo,
+Catharanthus roseus @ 2% w/w (20g /kg seed) have been found to be effective against storage
+pests.
+A.2. Rainfed kharif maize
+Sowing time: In rainfed regions sowing time is rain dependent and should be done just after
+monsoon occurance in end of June to second fortnight of July.
+Seed rate and spacing requirement in rainfed maize
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+7-8 70 x 20 -25 23,134 to 28,918
+Fertilizer scheduling: Organic nutrient supplementation to be given and inorganic N fertilizers is
+to be splitted into two doses, at basal and depending on moisture availability between knee high to
+tasseling stage.
+Rate of different fertilizers needed for rainfed maize crop
+Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Soil Type Schedule
+Urea DAP ZnSO4.7H2O
+Sandy loam to clay loam Basal 46 35 10
+soil with adequate 1st split
+moisture stored 24 -- --
+Loamy sand to sandy Basal
+35 18 --
+soils with low moisture
+1st split
+stored
+-- -- --
+Soil moisture conservation: For rainfed crops, soil moisture is the most limiting factor. Hence,
+moisture conservation practices are required to be followed to attain maximum yield.
+17
+Soil moisture conservation practice.
+l Plough the field against slope after pre-monsoon showers to enhance water
+absorption/filtration
+l Sowing and other operations should be carried out on contour/across the slope
+l Spread locally available mulching material in the last week of August
+l Application of the farm yard manure/compost @ 5-6 tonnes/acre
+Rest agronomic practices are same as discussed earlier.
+A.3. Rabi maize
+Sowing time: 15th October to 15th November is the best time, however this may vary for region to
+region.
+Sowing method: Before sowing, seed should be soaked overnight in warm (45oC at the time of seed
+soaking) water. This treatment helps in obtaining better plant stand and healthy crop. Sowing
+should be done on the southern side of the east-west ridge so that the optimum amount of sunshine is
+received and the seedbed remains warm.
+Seed rate and spacing requirement in rabi maize
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+20-22 60 x 20 33,333
+Intercropping: During the rabi season potato, table pea, onion, garlic, coriander, spinach,
+coriander, beetroot, cabbage etc. can be grown in between maize rows to ensure higher income of
+growers without harming the yield of winter maize.
+Fertilizer scheduling: The following fertilizer schedule should be used to get higher yield.
+Crop stage Schedule Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+4 2
+Before at sowing Basal
+26 70 40 10
+4 leaf stage 1st split 26 - - -
+8 leaf stage 2nd split 40 - - -
+Tasseling stage 3rd split 26 - - -
+Grain filling stage 4th split 6 - - -
+18
+Irrigation management: Four to six irrigations are needed for rabi season crop. If six irrigations
+are given, they should be applied as two before flowering, one at the time of flowering, two after
+flowering and one at the early grain-filling stage. If only five irrigations are given, one irrigation at
+the vegetative stage may be avoided; and if only four irrigations are given, irrigation after the dough
+stage may be avoided. The irrigation should, however be changed suitably if adequate rains are
+received. Rest management practices are similar to irrigated maize.
+A.4. Spring maize
+Sowing time: January 20 – February 20 is ideal sowing time for spring maize planting.
+Sowing method: Evaporative losses of water during spring season from the soil under flat as well
+as raised bed planting is higher and hence crop suffers from moisture stress. Under such conditions,
+it is always advisable to grow maize in furrows for proper growth, seed setting and higher
+productivity. Zero-till planning is beneficial in spring maize after harvesting of potato, mustard etc.
+Irrigation: Spring maize needs nearly 10-15 irrigations sometimes even higher as the evapo-
+transpiration demand is quite higher in summer season. Hence, a water use-efficient irrigation
+system i.e. drip method is desirable under spring sown maize. Apply first irrigation at 25-30 DAS.
+Under non-drip irrigation, apply irrigation at 2 weeks interval upto10th April and on per week basis
+after this, up to maturity. From water conservation point of view spring maize without drip
+irrigation is not recommended.
+Fertilizer scheduling: For higher yield, integrated nutrient management found beneficial for
+spring maize and organic sources option mentioned in kharif maize to be used along with chemical
+fertilizer mentioned as below:
+Rate of different fertilizers needed
+Varieties Schedule Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+4 2
+Medium duration Basal 33 55 27 10
+hybrid 1st split 33 -- --
+2nd split 33 -- --
+Medium duration Basal 25 27 27
+hybrid 1st split 25 -- --
+2nd split 25 -- --
+Rest management practices are similar to irrigated kharif maize for grain purpose.
+19
+B. Specialty corn/special purpose maize
+B.1. Pop corn
+Pop corn cultivation practices are similar to grain purpose as discussed earlier except the pop corn
+cultivars are shorter of duration (80-90 days). However, as a premier crop preferably to be grown
+under irrigated conditions. This crop needs isolation of at least 400 m from normal maize as
+pollination with normal maize deteriorates its popping quality. Generally, 10-15 days isolation in
+sowing time also ensures quality pop corn. As the plant type of the pop corn is weak and affected
+more by diseases and pest and thus should be preferably to be grown in mild climate i.e. winter
+season/hilly areas for better yield and quality.
+Seed and spacing requirement Seed and spacing requirement
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre) Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+4 - 5 60 x 20 33,724 4 - 5 60 x 20 33,724
+Rest management practices are similar to irrigated maize for grain purpose.
+B.2. Baby corn
+It is shortest duration maize crop and gets ready for harvesting within two months of planting and
+harvested in 60-70 days during kharif and 80-100 days in rabi season. This crop needs isolation of at
+least 400 m from normal maize as pollination deteriorates its quality. Generally, 10-15 days
+isolation in sowing time also ensures quality baby corn. Detasseling is needed in baby corn for
+quality assurance. It is done by removing the tassel of the plant as soon as it emerges from the flag
+leaf. It should be practiced row-wise. While detasseling, leaf should not be removed which will
+otherwise affect net photosynthesis and ultimately reduce average baby corn yield. However, this is
+not needed when male sterile baby corn cultivars are chosen for cultivation. Harvesting should be
+done in morning or evening and stored under cool conditions in shed. After dehusking cobs should
+preferably kept under wrap and refrigerated. The crop should be harvested after 1-3 days of silk
+emergence. The remaining plant portion (tassels, main stem, husks) serves as nutritious green
+fodder for livestock.
+Sowing time: The sowing to be avoided in areas receiving temperature of less than 10C at any of the
+crop growth stages for higher yield of baby corn. It can be sown round the year in India expect
+second fortnight of December to end of January in Northern India.
+Seed and spacing requirement
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+10 - 12 60*15-20 33,724 to 44,966
+20
+Intercropping: In general, short duration varieties of intercrops to be preferred for
+intercropping with baby corn. In kharif season, cowpea for green pods and fodder purposes
+and coriander for green leaves can be intercropped with baby corn. Baby corn can be
+intercropped with vegetable crops, viz., spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, coriander, sugar
+beet, radish etc which is particularly suitable in rabi season baby corn. Recommended dose
+of fertilizers of intercrops should be applied in addition to the recommended dose of
+fertilizers of baby corn.
+Fig: Maize based intercropping
+21
+Fertilizer scheduling: Since baby corn is consumed as vegetable organically grown baby corn has
+market demand both at local and international level. The organic input mentioned for the normal
+kharif maize to be used for organic baby corn production. For higher yield integrated nutrient
+management found beneficial for baby corn and organic sources option mentioned in kharif maize
+to be used along with chemical fertilizer mentioned as below:
+Crop stage Schedule Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+4 2
+Before/at sowing Basal 10 50 40 10
+4 leaf stage 1st split 26 -- -- --
+8 leaf stage
+2nd split 40 -- -- --
+Before detasseling
+After detasseling/ 3rd split 32 -- -- --
+one picking 4th split 20 -- -- --
+Irrigation management: Young seedlings, knee high stage, silking and picking are the most
+sensitive stages for water stress for baby corn and irrigation should be ensured at these stages. Light
+and frequent irrigations are desirable for baby corn.
+Pest Management: As duration of baby corn is short, it experiences lesser extent of pest damage.
+However, as it is consumed fresh pesticides should be applied judiciously, if required.
+Rest management practices for baby corn are similar to normal irrigated maize.
+B.3. Sweet corn
+This crop gets ready for harvesting just 20 days after pollination i.e. within 65-75 days in kharif and
+80-100 days in rabi season. At high temperature due to conversion of fructose into polysaccharides
+it losses flavor. Due to this reason, sweet corn cultivation should be avoided in spring season. This
+crop needs isolation of at least 400 m from normal maize as pollination deteriorates its quality.
+Generally, 10-15 days isolation in sowing time also ensures quality sweet corn. The cobs should be
+plucked during morning or evening time. Harvested green cobs should be immediately transported
+to the cold storage in refrigerated trucks. The maize plant parts after harvesting of cobs can be
+utilized as excellent green fodder. Intercrops as discussed in baby corn can also be grown with
+sweet corn successfully for higher profitability.
+Sowing time: The sowing to be avoided in areas receiving temperature of less than 10C at any of the
+crop growth stage. At sowing, temperature below 15C may lead to rotten seed. The increase in
+temperature to more than 35C at tasseling i.e. 45-55 days after sowing leads to tassel blast and lesser
+grain setting. Therefore, sweet corn can be sown from June to October and in February in Northern
+India and throughout the year in southern India.
+22
+Seed and spacing requirement
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+2.5-3 75x25-30 17,986 to 21,583
+Transplanting: Due to costlier seed and lesser plant population, seedling transplanting is
+beneficial in sweet corn. The seedling should be transplanted when plants are 15-25 cm tall.
+Transplanting is also beneficial for getting early sweet corn in market for fetching higher prices.
+However, there should be adequate moisture at the time of transplanting. To avoid damage by ants
+and other insects the nursery may be treated with furadon or similar granules.
+a b
+Fig: (a) Maize nursery (b) Transplanting of maize seedlings
+Fertilizer scheduling: The organic input mentioned for the normal kharif maize can be used for
+organic sweet corn production. For higher yield, integrated nutrient management found beneficial
+and organic sources option mentioned in kharif maize to be used along with chemical fertilizer
+mentioned as below:
+Crop stage Schedule Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+4 2
+Before/at sowing Basal 45 45 30 10
+25 DAS 1st split 35 -- -- --
+At flowering 2nd split 20 -- -- --
+23
+Irrigation management: The most critical period to have adequate moisture is during tasseling
+and silking. Growers should be prepared to irrigate at least 2.5-4.0 cm a week in order to produce
+high quality sweet corn.
+Pest Management: As duration of sweet corn is short and consumed, fresh pesticides should be
+applied judiciously, if required.
+Rest management practices for sweet corn are similar to normal irrigated maize.
+B.4. Maize for green cob
+The cultivation practices are very similar to sweet corn. The cob plucking should be done at 25-35
+days after flowering, when cob colour is still green and kernel are at soft dough stage. The green
+plants are excellent source of fodder. Remaining practices are same as of sweet corn.
+24
+C. Maize as fodder
+C.1. Maize for green fodder
+Tall, leafy, succulent, late maturing and stay-green type cultivars are desirable for fodder purpose.
+Sowing should be done using normal seed drill. Weeding in generally not required as the high-
+density planting leads to less penetration of sunlight resulting in poor growth of weeds.
+Sowing time: The sowing to be avoided in areas receiving temperature of less than 10C at any of the
+crop growth stages for higher yield of fodder maize. It can be sown round the year in India expect
+second fortnight of December to end of January in Northern India. However, fodder maize is most
+profitable in kharif season, which can be used for silage preparation.
+Seed and spacing requirement
+Seed rate (kg/acre) Spacing (cm) Plant population (per acre)
+25 30*10 134,898
+Fertilizer scheduling
+Crop stage Schedule Fertilizer (kg/acre)
+Urea DAP MOP ZnSO.7HO
+4 2
+Before/at sowing Basal 55 55 30 10
+25-30 DAS 1st split 55 -- -- --
+Harvesting should be done just after flowering (at 60-70 DAS) for better quality fodder. Rest
+agronomic management practices are similar to kharif irrigated maize.
+C.2. Maize for silage making
+All the cultivation practices are similar to kharif/spring sown irrigated maize except harvesting,
+which should be done 25-30 days after flowering (milky to dough stage of grain). Harvesting of
+maize for silage purpose may be done using Fodder Auto-chopper Loader Machine. Silage can be
+prepared easily by silo pack machine. This machine can cut and crash the green fodder, load it in the
+50 kg air tight plastic bag and compress it. After this process, the bag can be sealed with thread and
+can be stored in open place for ensiling (process of silage making). These 50 kg capacity bags are
+easy to handle and transport.
+25
+D. Zero till and conservation agriculture based maize cultivation
+Under zero till (ZT) cultivation, planting is to be done in stubble of previous crop without any soil
+disturbance/tillage operation. This saves diesel, tractor's working time and labor and offer timely
+sowing of succeeding crops. Seed and fertilizers should be placed in band using zero-till Seed-cum-
+Fertilizer Planter with furrow opener or happy seeder. Weed management is entirely dependent on
+chemicals as tillage and hand hoeing is prohibited in ZT maize. Destroy the weed before seeding by
+pre-plant application (10-15 days prior to seeding) of non-selective herbicides, viz., paraquat @ 0.2
+kg a.i. per acre in 600 litre water. Under heavy weed infestation, post-emergence application of
+selective herbicides (mentioned earlier) should be done.
+ZT along with surface residue application and diversified crop rotation is known as conservation
+agriculture. Surface residue retention improves soil physical, chemical and biological activities,
+reduces soil erosion & evaporation and also moderate soil temperature. Diversified crop rotation
+break the disease cycle and also improve soil fertility. Zero till planter (under lesser residue load)
+and happy seeder (under heavy residue load) can be used for planting in no-till field.
+Difference in management practices under conventional and conservation agriculture
+Practices Conventional agriculture Conservation agriculture
+Tillage, sowing and Soil is manipulated 4-5 times Soil is disturb to a minimum
+intercultural operation for tillage operation, seeding extent as tillage and inter-
+and intercultural operations. cultural operations are
+completely avoided and
+sowing is done by opening
+narrow furrow just to put seed.
+Cropping system Mono-cropping/less efficient Diversified crop rotations
+rotation
+Residue management Remove/burn Keep on soil surface
+Weed management Hand weeding and/or Herbicide application
+herbicide application
+26
+Effect of conventional and conservation agriculture based practices
+Particular Conventional agriculture Conservation agriculture
+Fuel consumption More Lesser
+Cost of land preparation More Lesser
+Sowing of succeeding crop Delay Timely
+Soil health Poor Good
+Soil compaction More Lesser
+Water logging More Lesser
+Soil erosion More Less
+a b
+Fig: (a) Zero till planting of maize in mungbean residue; (b) Surface residue retention in maize
+27
+Recommended maize varieties(released in last 6 years)
+Variety Zone Yield Maturity Season Year of
+(t/ha) (days) release
+Normal maize
+DMRH 1305 NHZ 6.5 Early Kharif 2018
+DMRH-1301 NEPZ, CWZ 9.9 94-96 Rabi 2018
+GAWMH-2 Gujarat - Early Kharif 2018
+DMRH-1308 CWZ 9.6 92-94 Rabi 2018
+Karimnagar Makka PZ 7.9 90-95 Rainfed kharif 2017
+Pant Shankar Makka-4 Uttarakhand 4.6 82-84 Kharif 2017
+Central Maize VL 55 NHZ, PZ 7.6 95-97 Kharif 2017
+PMH-10 Punjab 11.7 175-180 Spring 2016
+Hema Karnataka 5.6 120-125 Spring 2016
+Pratap Makka-9 Rajasthan 4.8 81-87 Kharif, rabi 2016
+Palam Shankar Makka-2 NHZ 9.8 Medium Kharif 2016
+Pratap Hybrid CWZ 5.6 Early Kharif 2016
+Kharif Maize-3
+Karimnagar makka-1 Telangana 9.5 Medium Kharif ,rabi 2016
+PMH-8 Punjab 8.3 112 Spring 2016
+Palam shankar makka-1 CWZ 5.3 Late Kharif 2015
+CoH(M) 10 PZ 7.2 Medium Kharif 2015
+HM-13 NHZ 6.6 Early Kharif 2015
+PMH-6 NEPZ 6.3 Medium Kharif 2015
+CoH(M) 7 NEPZ, PZ 7.8 Late Kharif 2014
+CoH(M) 8 NWPZ, NEPZ, PZ, CWZ 7.1 Medium Kharif 2014
+CoH(M) 9 NEPZ, CWZ 6.4 Medium Kharif 2014
+DHM-121 NEPZ, CWZ 5.4 Medium Kharif 2014
+GH-0727 Karnataka 7.5 Late Kharif 2014
+Vivek Maize Hybrid-47 NHZ 6.9 Early Kharif 2014
+Vivek Maize Hybrid -53 NHZ 6.9 Extra-early Kharif 2014
+Vivek Maize Hybrid -51 CWZ 5.1 Extra early Kharif 2014
+28
+Variety Zone Yield Maturity Season Year of
+(t/ha) (days) release
+QPM/EDV
+Pusa HM-8 Improved PZ 6.3 90-95 Kharif 2017
+Pusa HM-9 Improved NEPZ 5.2 85-90 2017
+Kharif
+Pusa HM-4 Improved NWPZ, NEPZ 6.4 90-95 Kharif 2017
+Pusa Vivek QPM-9 NHZ, CWZ 5.6 80-85 Kharif 2017
+Improved
+Shaktiman-5 NEPZ 5.5 Medium Kharif & 2018
+& 8.0 Rabi
+Shalimar QPMH-1 J & K 6 135 Kharif 2019
+SWEET CORN
+-
+Shalimar Sweet Corn-1 J & K 90-95 Kharif 2019
+-
+VL Sweet Corn Hybrid-2 NHZ 90-95 Kharif 2019
+10.8
+Central Maize CL Sweet NHZ, NWPZ 90-95 Kharif 2016
+Corn-1
+BABY CORN
+IMHB1539 NHZ 1.3 Short Kharif 2018
+IMHB1532 NWPZ, CWZ 2.0 Short Kharif 2018
+Vivek Hybrid 27 NHZ, CWZ 2.2 95-97 Kharif 2017
+POPCORN
+DMRHP-1402 NEPZ, CWZ 3.9 75-77 Kharif 2018
+Shalimar Pop Corn-1 NHZ, NWPZ, NEPZ, PZ 3.9 95-100 Kharif 2017
+BPCH-6 NHZ,CWZ, PZ, NEPZ, 3.2 Early Kharif 2015
+NWPZ
+29
+Notes
+30

requirements.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+fastapi==0.104.1
+uvicorn[standard]==0.24.0
+python-multipart==0.0.6
+aiofiles==23.2.1
+langchain==0.1.0
+langchain-community==0.1.0
+langchain-google-genai==0.0.6
+google-generativeai==0.3.2
+faiss-cpu==1.7.4
+tiktoken==0.5.2
+pydantic==2.5.0
+python-dotenv==1.0.0

static/index.html

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8">
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
+    <title>Maize Crop RAG System</title>
+    <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
+</head>
+<body>
+    <div class="container">
+        <header>
+            <h1>🌽 Maize Crop Intelligence System</h1>
+            <p>AI-powered Q&A for Maize Agriculture</p>
+        </header>
+
+        <div class="status-bar" id="statusBar">
+            <span class="status-indicator" id="statusIndicator"></span>
+            <span id="statusText">Checking system status...</span>
+            <button id="statsBtn" class="stats-btn">📊 Token Stats</button>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="init-section" id="initSection" style="display: none;">
+            <h3>Initialize System</h3>
+            <input type="password" id="apiKeyInput" placeholder="Enter Google API Key">
+            <button id="initBtn">Initialize</button>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="main-content" id="mainContent" style="display: none;">
+            <div class="query-section">
+                <h3>Ask About Maize</h3>
+                <div class="input-group">
+                    <textarea id="queryInput" placeholder="Ask your question about maize cultivation, pests, irrigation, soil, etc." rows="3"></textarea>
+                    <button id="submitBtn">Ask Question</button>
+                </div>
+                
+                <div class="sample-queries">
+                    <p>Sample questions:</p>
+                    <button class="sample-btn" data-query="What are the main pests affecting maize crops?">Pests</button>
+                    <button class="sample-btn" data-query="How should maize be irrigated?">Irrigation</button>
+                    <button class="sample-btn" data-query="What is the ideal soil type for maize?">Soil</button>
+                    <button class="sample-btn" data-query="What is the typical yield per acre?">Yield</button>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+
+            <div class="results-section" id="resultsSection" style="display: none;">
+                <h3>Answer</h3>
+                <div id="answerContent" class="answer-content"></div>
+                
+                <div class="metadata">
+                    <div id="tokenInfo" class="token-info"></div>
+                    <div id="timeInfo" class="time-info"></div>
+                </div>
+                
+                <div id="sourcesSection" class="sources-section" style="display: none;">
+                    <h4>Sources</h4>
+                    <div id="sourcesList"></div>
+                </div>
+            </div>
+
+            <div class="upload-section">
+                <h3>Upload New Document</h3>
+                <input type="file" id="fileInput" accept=".txt">
+                <button id="uploadBtn">Upload & Reinitialize</button>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="loading" id="loading" style="display: none;">
+            <div class="spinner"></div>
+            <p>Processing your query...</p>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="stats-modal" id="statsModal" style="display: none;">
+            <div class="modal-content">
+                <span class="close">&times;</span>
+                <h3>Token Usage Statistics</h3>
+                <div id="statsContent"></div>
+            </div>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <script src="script.js"></script>
+</body>
+</html>

static/script.js

@@ -0,0 +1,261 @@
+const API_BASE = 'http://localhost:7860';
+
+// DOM Elements
+const statusBar = document.getElementById('statusBar');
+const statusIndicator = document.getElementById('statusIndicator');
+const statusText = document.getElementById('statusText');
+const initSection = document.getElementById('initSection');
+const mainContent = document.getElementById('mainContent');
+const queryInput = document.getElementById('queryInput');
+const submitBtn = document.getElementById('submitBtn');
+const resultsSection = document.getElementById('resultsSection');
+const answerContent = document.getElementById('answerContent');
+const tokenInfo = document.getElementById('tokenInfo');
+const timeInfo = document.getElementById('timeInfo');
+const sourcesSection = document.getElementById('sourcesSection');
+const sourcesList = document.getElementById('sourcesList');
+const loading = document.getElementById('loading');
+const statsBtn = document.getElementById('statsBtn');
+const statsModal = document.getElementById('statsModal');
+const statsContent = document.getElementById('statsContent');
+const apiKeyInput = document.getElementById('apiKeyInput');
+const initBtn = document.getElementById('initBtn');
+const fileInput = document.getElementById('fileInput');
+const uploadBtn = document.getElementById('uploadBtn');
+
+// Check system status on load
+window.addEventListener('load', checkSystemStatus);
+
+// Event Listeners
+submitBtn.addEventListener('click', submitQuery);
+queryInput.addEventListener('keypress', (e) => {
+    if (e.key === 'Enter' && !e.shiftKey) {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        submitQuery();
+    }
+});
+
+// Sample query buttons
+document.querySelectorAll('.sample-btn').forEach(btn => {
+    btn.addEventListener('click', () => {
+        queryInput.value = btn.dataset.query;
+        submitQuery();
+    });
+});
+
+// Initialize button
+initBtn.addEventListener('click', initializeSystem);
+
+// Stats modal
+statsBtn.addEventListener('click', showStats);
+document.querySelector('.close').addEventListener('click', () => {
+    statsModal.style.display = 'none';
+});
+
+// File upload
+uploadBtn.addEventListener('click', uploadDocument);
+
+// Functions
+async function checkSystemStatus() {
+    try {
+        const response = await fetch(`${API_BASE}/api/status`);
+        const data = await response.json();
+        
+        if (data.is_initialized) {
+            statusIndicator.className = 'status-indicator ready';
+            statusText.textContent = 'System Ready';
+            mainContent.style.display = 'block';
+            initSection.style.display = 'none';
+        } else {
+            statusIndicator.className = 'status-indicator not-ready';
+            statusText.textContent = 'System Not Initialized';
+            mainContent.style.display = 'none';
+            initSection.style.display = 'block';
+        }
+    } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Error checking status:', error);
+        statusIndicator.className = 'status-indicator not-ready';
+        statusText.textContent = 'Connection Error';
+    }
+}
+
+async function initializeSystem() {
+    const apiKey = apiKeyInput.value.trim();
+    if (!apiKey) {
+        alert('Please enter an API key');
+        return;
+    }
+    
+    loading.style.display = 'block';
+    initSection.style.display = 'none';
+    
+    try {
+        const response = await fetch(`${API_BASE}/api/initialize`, {
+            method: 'POST',
+            headers: {
+                'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+            },
+            body: JSON.stringify({ api_key: apiKey })
+        });
+        
+        if (response.ok) {
+            const data = await response.json();
+            apiKeyInput.value = '';
+            await checkSystemStatus();
+        } else {
+            const error = await response.json();
+            alert(`Initialization failed: ${error.detail}`);
+            initSection.style.display = 'block';
+        }
+    } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Error initializing system:', error);
+        alert('Failed to initialize system');
+        initSection.style.display = 'block';
+    } finally {
+        loading.style.display = 'none';
+    }
+}
+
+async function submitQuery() {
+    const query = queryInput.value.trim();
+    if (!query) {
+        alert('Please enter a question');
+        return;
+    }
+    
+    loading.style.display = 'block';
+    resultsSection.style.display = 'none';
+    
+    try {
+        const response = await fetch(`${API_BASE}/api/query`, {
+            method: 'POST',
+            headers: {
+                'Content-Type': 'application/json',
+            },
+            body: JSON.stringify({ query: query })
+        });
+        
+        if (response.ok) {
+            const data = await response.json();
+            displayResults(data);
+        } else {
+            const error = await response.json();
+            answerContent.innerHTML = `<div class="error-message">Error: ${error.detail}</div>`;
+            resultsSection.style.display = 'block';
+        }
+    } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Error submitting query:', error);
+        answerContent.innerHTML = `<div class="error-message">Failed to process query</div>`;
+        resultsSection.style.display = 'block';
+    } finally {
+        loading.style.display = 'none';
+    }
+}
+
+function displayResults(data) {
+    answerContent.textContent = data.answer;
+    
+    // Display token info
+    if (data.token_usage && Object.keys(data.token_usage).length > 0) {
+        tokenInfo.innerHTML = `
+            <strong>Tokens:</strong> 
+            Prompt: ${data.token_usage.prompt_tokens || 0}, 
+            Completion: ${data.token_usage.completion_tokens || 0}, 
+            Total: ${data.token_usage.total_tokens || 0}
+        `;
+    } else {
+        tokenInfo.innerHTML = '';
+    }
+    
+    // Display processing time
+    timeInfo.innerHTML = `<strong>Processing Time:</strong> ${data.processing_time}s`;
+    
+    // Display sources
+    if (data.sources && data.sources.length > 0) {
+        sourcesList.innerHTML = data.sources.map(source => 
+            `<div class="source-item">${source}</div>`
+        ).join('');
+        sourcesSection.style.display = 'block';
+    } else {
+        sourcesSection.style.display = 'none';
+    }
+    
+    resultsSection.style.display = 'block';
+}
+
+async function showStats() {
+    try {
+        const response = await fetch(`${API_BASE}/api/token-stats`);
+        const data = await response.json();
+        
+        if (data.total_calls !== undefined) {
+            statsContent.innerHTML = `
+                <div class="stat-item">
+                    <span>Total API Calls:</span>
+                    <span>${data.total_calls}</span>
+                </div>
+                <div class="stat-item">
+                    <span>Total Prompt Tokens:</span>
+                    <span>${data.total_prompt_tokens}</span>
+                </div>
+                <div class="stat-item">
+                    <span>Total Completion Tokens:</span>
+                    <span>${data.total_completion_tokens}</span>
+                </div>
+                <div class="stat-item">
+                    <span>Total Tokens:</span>
+                    <span>${data.total_tokens}</span>
+                </div>
+            `;
+        } else {
+            statsContent.innerHTML = '<p>No statistics available</p>';
+        }
+        
+        statsModal.style.display = 'flex';
+    } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Error fetching stats:', error);
+        alert('Failed to fetch statistics');
+    }
+}
+
+async function uploadDocument() {
+    const file = fileInput.files[0];
+    if (!file) {
+        alert('Please select a file');
+        return;
+    }
+    
+    loading.style.display = 'block';
+    
+    const formData = new FormData();
+    formData.append('file', file);
+    
+    try {
+        const response = await fetch(`${API_BASE}/api/upload-document`, {
+            method: 'POST',
+            body: formData
+        });
+        
+        if (response.ok) {
+            const data = await response.json();
+            alert(data.message);
+            fileInput.value = '';
+            await checkSystemStatus();
+        } else {
+            const error = await response.json();
+            alert(`Upload failed: ${error.detail}`);
+        }
+    } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Error uploading document:', error);
+        alert('Failed to upload document');
+    } finally {
+        loading.style.display = 'none';
+    }
+}
+
+// Close modal when clicking outside
+window.addEventListener('click', (event) => {
+    if (event.target === statsModal) {
+        statsModal.style.display = 'none';
+    }
+});