Fall armyworm thrives at 25–30°C with 80% humidity. Rabi season temperatures drop below 20°C at night, which breaks the pest’s lifecycle.
| Parameter | Kharif Maize | Rabi Maize | |-----------|--------------|-------------| | Water source | Rainfed or residual | Assured irrigation | | Yield (t/ha) | 3.5 – 5.0 | 6.0 – 9.0 | | Grain quality | Average (feed grade) | Excellent (food grade) | | Market price | Lower | 20–30% higher | | Risk level | High (weather-dependent) | Low (management-dependent) | | Best for | Resource-poor, rainfed zones | Commercial, irrigated farms | maize rabi or kharif
Kharif is the traditional and most common season for maize, accounting for approximately of its total cultivation area in India. Fall armyworm thrives at 25–30°C with 80% humidity
Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are leaders in Rabi maize production. Conclusion Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are leaders
Kharif maize is predominantly . In regions with well-distributed rainfall (800–1200 mm), farmers can achieve good yields without irrigation. However, a dry spell of 15–20 days during flowering can destroy the crop.