Abstract:
This study was conducted at Maize and Millets Research Institute, Yusafwala, Sahiwal, Pakistan during summer season 2009 to evaluate the effect of plant spacing on growth and yield of four maize hybrids. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications. The maize hybrids (Yusafwala Hybrid, YH-1898, YH-1850 and FH- 793) were sown at plant spacings of 10, 12.50, 15 and 17.50 cm. The results indicated that maize hybrids and plant spacings had significant effect on growth, yield and yield components. Days to 50 percent silking, ear length, ear weight, number of grains per row and 1000-grain weight were significantly varied among maize hybrids. The hybrid YH-1898 had significantly greater days to 50 percent silking (55.08), ear length (22.25 cm) and 1000-grain weight (460.80 g) while FH-793 had higher ear weight (290.50 g) and Yusafwala Hybrid excelled in number of grains per row (43.50) as compared to other hybrids. Different plant spacings also significantly affected days to 50 percent silking, plant height, ear length, ear weight, number of grains per row, number of grains per ear, 1000-grain weight, shelling percentage and grain yield. Plant spacing of 17.50 cm gave significantly higher ear length (23.50 cm), ear weight (295.25 g), number of grains per row (44.50), number of grains per ear (717.00), 1000-grain weight (443.3 g) and shelling percentage (86.63) while plant spacing of 12.50 cm excelled in grain yield (8.370 t/ha) as compared to other plant spacings. It is concluded that maize hybrids should preferably be cultivated at plant spacing of 12.50 cm to get maximum grain yield.
Page(s):
59-69
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Journal of Agricultural Research, Volume: 50, Issue: 1, Year: 2012