Field Crop 2024, Vol.7, No.2, 93-104 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/fc 93 Research Insight Open Access Traditional vs. Modern Maize Cultivation Practices: A Comparative Study Jiayi Wu, Huijuan Xu, Baixin Song Modern Agriculture Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: baixin.song@cuixi.org Field Crop, 2024 Vol.7, No.2 doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0010 Received: 09 Feb., 2024 Accepted: 20 Mar., 2024 Published: 07 Apr., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wu et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wu J.Y., Xu H.J., and Song B.X., 2024, Traditional vs. modern maize cultivation practices: a comparative study, Field Crop, 7(2): 93-104 (doi: 10.5376/fc.2024.07.0010) Abstract This study compares traditional and modern maize cultivation practices, focusing on their respective impacts on yield, sustainability, and adaptability to mechanization. Traditional practices, such as maize-soybean intercropping, often suffer from low light and radiation use efficiency, and are incompatible with modern mechanization, leading to lower yields and profitability. Conversely, modern practices, including optimized tillage, high-density planting, and balanced nutrient management, have shown significant improvements in yield and resource use efficiency. For instance, high-density planting combined with optimized nitrogen fertilization can increase maize yield by up to 28.8%. Additionally, integrated agronomic management practices have been found to enhance nitrogen use efficiency and overall crop productivity. Continuous maize cultivation without proper soil conservation measures, however, can lead to declining yields over time, highlighting the need for sustainable practices. This study underscores the importance of adopting modern, scientifically-backed cultivation techniques to achieve higher yields, better resource efficiency, and long-term sustainability in maize farming. Keywords Maize cultivation; Traditional practices; Modern practices; Yield efficiency; Sustainable agriculture 1 Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops globally, serving as a staple food for millions of people and a critical component in animal feed and industrial products. Its cultivation spans diverse agro-ecological zones, making it a versatile crop with significant economic and nutritional value. The transformation of maize from its wild ancestors to the highly productive varieties we see today is a testament to the power of domestication and plant breeding, which have been ongoing for over 10 000 years (Hufford et al., 2012). Modern maize cultivation practices have evolved to include advanced agronomic techniques and genetically improved hybrids, which have significantly enhanced yield potential and resilience against pests and diseases (Bender et al., 2013; Pavithra et al., 2018). Understanding the differences between traditional and modern maize cultivation practices is crucial for several reasons. Traditional practices, often characterized by low-input and sustainable methods, have been developed over centuries and are well-adapted to local conditions. However, they may not always meet the demands of increasing population and food security challenges. On the other hand, modern practices, which include the use of high-yielding hybrids, chemical fertilizers, and mechanization, have been shown to significantly boost productivity but may also lead to environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity (Norris et al., 2016; Hasan et al., 2020; Luísa et al., 2020). Comparative studies of these practices can provide insights into optimizing maize production systems that balance productivity with sustainability (Supasri et al., 2020; Veeranna et al., 2023). This study compares the agronomic performance and environmental impacts of traditional and modern maize cultivation practices, evaluates the socio-economic benefits and challenges associated with each practice, and identifies best practices that can be integrated to enhance maize productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability and resilience to climate change. By synthesizing findings from various research studies, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how different cultivation practices affect maize production and to offer recommendations for future agricultural policies and practices.
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