Crop guides
Choosing Maize Seed by Altitude and Rainfall: A Simple Guide
The best maize seed on the shelf is the wrong seed if it doesn't fit your season. Match maturity to altitude and rainfall to protect your yield.
JAAG Agronomy TeamCrop specialistsPublished 5 min read
Maize varieties are bred for particular environments. A late-maturing highland hybrid planted in a short-season lowland area may run out of rain before the grain fills — while an early variety in the highlands leaves yield on the table.
Three questions to ask
- What is my altitude? (Your phone's map app can tell you.)
- How many months of reliable rain do I usually get?
- Which diseases are common here — grey leaf spot, turcicum blight, maize streak?
Rules of thumb
- Highlands (above ~1,800 m, long season): late-maturing hybrids with high yield potential.
- Mid-altitude (~1,200–1,800 m): medium-maturity hybrids.
- Lowland and dryland (below ~1,200 m or erratic rains): early-maturing, drought-tolerant varieties.
