De-topping in Maize for Enhancing Productivity: A Review

De-topping in Maize

Abstract

Maize is an important staple crop of India and has significant role in both human consumption and as highquality animal feed. Despite its importance, maize productivity in India remains below the global average due to
factors such as poor seed quality, limited technological adoption, reliance on rainfed areas, and diverse climatic
conditions. Further, as the world's largest milk producer, India's livestock sector struggles with significant fodder
shortage. De-topping is a promising agronomic practice to address these challenges; it involves removing the top
portion of the maize plant to enhance light interception and to favor better nutrient assimilation. This practice can
significantly improve both grain and fodder yields when executed at the appropriate stage and with proper techniques. By improving maize productivity and fodder availability, de-topping can help alleviate critical feed deficits
and enhance the economic viability of India's agricultural sector. Based on previously mentioned focal points, the
literature pertaining to the enhancement of maize grain and fodder yields through de-topping has been reviewed.