- Indian corn
- Originated in America (Cultivated by Red Indians)
- Introduced in Europe by Columbus
- Adapted to wide range of climates (in and outside Tropics)
- Its yield is drastically high (More than 50% as compared to wheat), in general.
GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS
1. Temperature
- Most widely cultivated crop (Both warm temperate and tropical)
- 18-27 during day, 14 during night
- 140 frost free days (Most important)
2. Rainfall
- Annual ppt 63 cm to 114 cm
- But can survive in areas less than 38 cm and more than 508 cm
- Irrigation may be utilized to make up for shortage.
3. Soil
- Deep rich soils of subtropics where there is abundant nitrogen.
- Grows in wide range of soils.
- Can survive on slopes with thin soils when other crops fail.
4. Topography
- Well drained plains in warm humid environment preferred
- For use of machinery also
- Undulating topography of the Corn Belt (USA) is ideal for large scale cultivating.
WORLD PRODUCTION AND TRADE
- US is the largest producer as well exporter.
- Exported to countries with high density of livestock’s (Western Europe)
- Argentina and Brazil are other major exporters.
Maize cultivation in US corn Belt
- Distinctive agricultural region where dominant crop is corn.
- Immediate south of the dairying belts of the great lakes
- Climatic conditions ideal for corn
- High summer T and rainy summer
- Rich prairie earth and rolling topography.
- Highly developed mixed farming region (Variety of crops and animals)
- Animals are let loose in the field with standing crops.
- They get food.
- Farmers do not have to work.
- Animal dung is directly added as manure
- One of the most prosperous agricultural regions of the world
- Thoroughly mixed economy with several important crops
- Livestock rearing industry.
- Wide range of Industrial development.
- Prosperity of Chicago, Cincinnati can be attributed to Corn and animals
