A New Dimension Added to Black Crop Cultivation, Black Corn will Provide Relief from Malnutrition

The Better Farming Desk

Black maize, which is also called "black corn", is a specific variety of maize, in which black or deep purple colored grains are found. This color is due to the high concentration of anthocyanin, which is an antioxidant, which is also found in blueberries.

Black maize came from South America, especially from Peru and Mexico, and is known for its unique color and subtle taste.

• Black maize farming in India: In black maize farming, which variety of seed should be sown? This information must be known to every farmer. For the first time in the country, research on black maize farming was done by Chhindwara's agricultural research center and a new variety of maize named Jawahar Maize 1014 was developed. Agricultural scientists now advise planting this variety. It is being claimed that this variety of maize will prove effective in fighting malnutrition due to its nutrients. Along with this, its use will also be possible in many health-beneficial products.

• Farming method, weather and production: Currently, agricultural scientists have recommended this variety of maize for Madhya Pradesh. A farmer can get up to 26 quintals of yield from 8 kg seed in one acre of land. This variety of maize gets ready in 90 to 95 days. Its silk appears in 50 days. For good development of black maize crop, hotter weather is needed. When cobs start appearing on its plants, more water is needed. It is cultivated in rows and the distance from plant to plant in a row should be 60 to 75 cm.

• This variety of maize is tolerant to stem borer disease. For rain-fed plateau region, this variety is more suitable.

• Black maize will give excellent taste and more nutrition: Black maize is slowly becoming popular due to its taste and more nutritious properties. The leaves of yellow and white maize are green in color, but the leaves of black maize are light purple. The cob of black maize is 20 to 25 cm long and the height of its plants is from 2.5 meters to 3 meters. The grains of black maize contain more starch. On the cob of this variety of maize, when the grains begin to mature, they start turning black. These cobs release a kind of substance and stains start appearing on them. These stains can be removed by hand. The grains of black maize take more time to ripen. After ripening, its grains appear black, shiny and attractive. The grains of black maize are more delicious and sweeter compared to yellow and white maize.

• Black maize will be sold very expensive: Many people on social media are stating the price of one cob of black maize up to 200 rupees, but that is not the case. Still, even if the initial price of black maize is assumed to be 100 rupees per kilo, then farming it can brighten farmers' fortunes.