Abstract

                                A field trial with different sowing windows of the maize crop was done in theEastern Block Farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, TamilNadu, India. The sowing windows were scheduled mid of every month for fourseasons. The treatments were Kharif (2019) – June 15th, July 15th, andAugust 15th; Rabi (2019-2020) – September 15th, October 15th, andNovember 15th; Late Rabi (2020-2021) – December 15th, January 15th,February 15th, and Summer (2021) – March 15th, April 15th, and May 15th. Theagrometeorological indices viz., growing degree days (GDD), helio thermal unit(HTU), photo thermal unit (PTU), relative temperature disparity (RTD) andseasonal efficiency were worked out to find the suitable maize cropping periodfor maximum yield in this changing climatic scenario. Of the four seasonstaken for study, Kharif and Rabi seasons were more suitable for maizecultivation and provided better yield than other seasons in the western agroclimatic zone of Tamil Nadu.

Key words : Agrometeorological indices; Sowing windows; Seasons; Maize; Climate change