Maize: Plant Density, Nitrogen and Yield

Maize responds strongly to management, and the biggest gains are usually free: spacing and timing.

Density

Too thin wastes sunlight; too thick means barren plants in dry spells. Rain-fed fields should be thinner than irrigated ones. Aim for an even stand: gaps and doubles both cost yield.

Nitrogen timing

Maize takes most nitrogen between knee-high and tasselling. Split the dose: some at planting, the main part around 4–5 weeks, and top up only if leaves pale.

Watch the critical weeks

The two weeks around silking decide the number of kernels. Drought or heat then hurts more than at any other time, so protect water for this stage.