Approximately 8,0 million tons of maize grain are
produced in South Africa annually on approximately
3,1 million ha of land. Half of the production consists
of white maize, for human food consumption.
Maize needs 450 to 600 mm of water per season,
which is mainly acquired from the soil moisture
reserves. About 15,0 kg of grain are produced for
each millimetre of water consumed. At maturity,
each plant will have consumed 250 l of water. The
total leaf area at maturity may exceed one
square metre per plant.