FAR Research | No. 57 Response of Maize to Drought Stress

Key Points

Drought is one of the main causes in seasonal yield variation. Crop response to drought can be calculated in terms of potential soil moisture deficit (PSMD), the cumulative difference between crop demand and water supply.
Timing and duration of drought on maize was studied in the rain shelter at Lincoln. The control plot was irrigated weekly. Droughts of different duration were created in early, mid and late season by with-holding irrigation.
The critical deficit, the point of PSMD beyond which yield is lost, was 100 mm for early drought and 160 mm for mid season drought, a difference thought to be due to rooting depth. The late drought starting in February and March was not severe enough to affect yield.
Maize yields declined by 11 kg/ha (grain) and 22 kg DM/ha (silage) per mm of PSMD beyond the critical deficit.
If irrigating to avoid yield loss to drought stress, growers should keep PSMD above the critical deficit. Once yield loss has occurred, it cannot be regained.

21 February 2026

T002 Combine settings in wet conditions

Sometimes, the only way to bring in a crop is to harvest in conditions that are less than ideal. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s a good idea to think about your combine settings to help reduce losses and prevent unnecessary breakdowns. This Technical Update covers some of the key points for getting the job done .

21 February 2026

Maize update 93: Making the most of long-term reduced tillage data

Between 2005 and 2020 FAR conducted 38 trials investigating tillage establishment methods for maize production. Most were analysed at the individual site/trial level. Maize update 93 discusses insights gained from aggregating all of this trial data. It includes information on the effects of crop establishment methods on established plant populations, maize yields and, where available, associated gross margins.

21 February 2026

Impact of establishment method on maize grain and silage crops

This report discusses the effects of maize establishment methods on established plant populations, maize yields, and associated gross margins. It is based on the findings of 38 FAR maize tillage and establishment trials between 2005 and 2020.

21 February 2026

Checking maize maturity pre-harvest

Start checking maize crop maturity about three weeks prior to when you think you’ll be starting your silage harvest. Good quality maize silage is best made when whole plant dry matter is between 30-40%

21 February 2026

Growing maize on peat soils

This is the handout from a field day hosted by the Stobie family, Gordonton, Waikato on 4 February 2026.

21 February 2026

The drying and storage of grain and herbage seeds

Welcome to the revised 2025 version of The drying and storage of grain and herbage seed, first published in 1999. The book comprises six chapters that cover grain characteristics and their reaction to climate, the importance of seed moisture, the drying system, the storage environment, storage pests and their control, and construction considerations. These have been edited and updated by FAR staff and independent experts from the original chapters written by the late Murray Hill.

21 February 2026

No. 57 Response of Maize to Drought Stress

Related Resources

T002 Combine settings in wet conditions

Maize update 93: Making the most of long-term reduced tillage data

Impact of establishment method on maize grain and silage crops

Checking maize maturity pre-harvest

Growing maize on peat soils

The drying and storage of grain and herbage seeds

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AIMI Maize survey to 31 October 2025

Maize try-outs and N use - field walk booklet

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