Row spacing and fertilizer nitrogen effects on plant growth and grain yield of maize

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Ma ◽  
L. M. Dwyer ◽  
C. Costa
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Shoot Ratio ◽  
Root To Shoot Ratio ◽  
N Fertility

Conflicting reports have led to a renewed interest in the effects of narrow row spacing and high plant population densities on maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate maize response to row spacing and N fertility over a 4-yr period (1997–2000). A randomized complete block design, arranged in a split plot was used with four replications each year with modifications of treatments over years. Row spacings of 0.51 m, 0.76 m and 0.76 m paired row alone or in combination with hybrid were tested in the subplot whereas combination of fertilizer N by population density (1997 and 1998) or N alone was assigned to the main plot. In 1997 and 1998, combinations of N by density consisted of 0 , 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha-1 at 89 000 plants ha-1, and 60 and 180 kg N ha-1 at 69 000 plants ha-1 using a single hybrid, Pioneer 3893. In 1999 and 2000, N fertility levels of 0, 80 and 180 kg N ha-1 >were the main plots and six combinations of hybrids (Pioneer 3893 and Pioneer 38P06 Bt) by row spacing were grown in the subplots at 69 000 plants ha-1. Row spacing and fertility levels showed no significant interaction for any parameter at any developmental stage. In both 1997 and 1998, row spacing had no significant effect on yield (yield differed by 5% among row spacing treatments) or harvest index (varied from 0.45 to 0.53). For Pioneer 38P06 Bt in 1999, grain yield of the 0.51 m row spacing with the 80 kg N ha-1 fertilizer rate was 14.6% higher than the conventional 0.76 m row spacing. In 2000, the substantially lower (11%) yield of the 0.76 m paired row spacing than the other row spacing treatments was more likely the result of an exceptionally cool and wet season. In 1997 and 1998, plant density showed no effect on shoot or root DM. The lower density (69 000 plants ha-1) did, however, show a higher root to shoot ratio than the higher density. Shoot DM, root DM and root to shoot ratio did not differ between the 60 and 180 kg N ha-1 fertility treatments. While higher N levels increased above- and below-ground crop N contents, row spacing showed no consistent effects on maize plants at the early stages. Under the conditions of this study, narrow rows did not result in higher yield or N use efficiency even plant density and N fertility varied. Key words: Maize (Zea mays L.), nitrogen use, population density, root/shoot ratio, row spacing

Bromoxynil tolerance during the seedling phase is associated with genetic grain yield improvement in maize

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tollenaar ◽  
M. Mihajlovic
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Chlorophyll Fluorescence ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Stress Tolerance ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Environmental Stresses ◽  
Yield Improvement ◽  
Maize Hybrids ◽  
Highly Correlated

Genetic grain yield improvement of maize (Zea mays L.) in Ontario during the past three decades can be attributed, in part, to increased tolerance to environmental stresses. We have observed a differential response of field-grown old and new hybrids after application of the photosystem II inhibiting herbicide bromoxynil (4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzonitrile). Studies were conducted to test whether tolerance to bromoxynil is associated with stress tolerance and grain yield in maize hybrids representing three decades of yield improvement in Ontario. Experiments were carried out with seedlings of eight maize hybrids grown in pots in controlled-environment growth cabinets and, in one experiment, with seedlings grown in pots outside during the months of July and August at Guelph, Ontario. Bromoxynil was applied to the youngest fully-expanded leaf of plants at the 6- to 8-leaf stage and chlorophyll fluorescence of the treated leaves was measured in the 2- to 24-h period after bomoxynil application. Results showed that the chlorophyll fluorescence ratio Fv/Fm, an indicator of photosynthetic efficiency, declined after bromoxynil application until 4 h after application and, subsequently, recovered slightly during the next 20 h. Large differences in the Fv/Fm ratio were apparent among hybrids in the response to bromoxynil. The Fv/Fm ratio was significantly higher for hybrids released in the 1980s than for hybrids released in the 1970s, and the Fv/Fm ratio of the latter group was significantly higher than that of the four oldest hybrids. Chlorophyll fluorescence ratios Fv/Fm after bromoxynil application in the seedling phase were highly correlated with grain yield of the hybrids in field experiments conducted during 1987 and 1988 (r = 0.91). Results of this study support the contention that maize genotypes that are less sensitive to bromoxynil are less susceptible to environmental stresses. Key words: Zea mays L., stress tolerance, bromoxynil, chlorophyll fluorescence, Fv/Fm ratio, detoxifying agents

scholarly journals Nitrogen fertilizer rate for improving inbred maize (Zea mays L.) yield on the semi-arid southern coast of Puerto Rico

2017 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-202
Author(s):  
Johanie Rivera-Zayas ◽  
David Sotomayor-Ramírez ◽  
Ricardo Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Semi Arid

Nitrogen (N) is possibly the most limiting nutrient for crop production on the southern semi-arid coast of Puerto Rico. In efforts to improve inbred maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield, fertilizer N is sometimes aggressively managed. In this paper, we report on the results of a field experiment that evaluated the effect of six rates of fertilizer N (0, 34, 68,102,135 and 203 kg N/ha) and of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata cv. Iron-clay), planted as a cover crop during the offseason, on inbred maize grain yield. The soil was Jacaguas series (Loamy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, isohyperthermic Fluventic Haplustolls) on the Dow Agrosciences experimental farm in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico. Cowpea was planted on 13 July 2013 and incorporated into the soil on 20 September 2013. An inbred maize line was planted on 19 December 2013 and harvested on 19 March 2014 at a plant density of 51,645 plants per hectare. Irrigation was provided via drip system, and fertilizer N was applied at three different stages during the growing season: at emergence, 21 and 37 days after planting. Measurements of plant height, chlorophyll readings using SPAD-502® and GreenSeeker®, and leaf N concentration were used as indicators of treatment response and N sufficiency. The maximum grain yield of 2,918 kg/ha was attained with the fertilizer N rate of 68 kg N/ha. The cowpea cover crop rotation did not affect grain yield (P>0.05). Plant height, and measurements by SPAD-502® and GreenSeeker® provided adequate indicators of crop N sufficiency during the vegetative stages V6 to V12, with optimum values of 149 cm, 46, and 0.67 NDVI, respectively, 52 days after planting with an application of 68 kg N/ ha. Crop response to fertilizer N occurred at a lower rate than in previous studies and those occurring under conventional commercial conditions. Other factors related to fertilizer N management, such as sources, placement and timing of application might be as important for grain yield improvement of inbred maize.

Influence of population density, row spacing and hybrid on forage corn yield and nutritive value in a cool-season environment

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 1131-1138 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. S. Baron ◽  
H. G. Najda ◽  
F. C. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
The Other ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Plant Yield ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Short Season ◽  
Narrow Row

Increasing yield for silage and grazing in cool, short-season areas may be possible by planting corn (Zea mays L.) at high population densities and at narrow row spacing. The objective was to determine how population density (75 000, 100 000, and 125 000 plants ha-1) and row spacing (standard: 76 cm and narrow: 38 cm) affected whole-plant yield, yield-related parameters, and nutritive value of two corn hybrids grown at Brooks and Lacombe, Alberta during 2 yr. The hybrids (Pioneer 39F45 and 39N03) were rated at 2000 Ontario corn heat units (CHU). Trial, hybrid, population density and row spacing interacted to influence whole-plant yield. Population density had a greater impact on whole-plant yield than row spacing and hybrid choice. Generally, yield leveled off at 100 000 plants ha-1 when the interaction of all effects was considered. Leaf area index (LAI) and whole-plant yield at this density were 2.68 and 12.0 Mg ha-1, respectively. Narrow compared with standard row spacing had positive effects on whole-plant yield of one hybrid, but not the other and improved LAI at 75 000 plants ha-1, but not at the other plant densities. Increasing plant density and reducing row spacing had only minor effects on whole-plant nutritive value. Growing corn in narrow rows to accommodate prevalent planting equipment should have no adverse effects on whole-plant corn production in short-season areas of Canada. However, when considering changes in corn management to maximize whole-plant yield narrow row spacing is not as important as achieving a plant density of approximately 100 000 plants ha-1. Key words: Corn, Zea mays L., nutritive value, population density, row width, silage yield

scholarly journals Nitrogen Time of Application Impact on Productivity, Water Use Efficiency and Agronomic Efficiency of Maize in a Semi-arid Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
S. Lamptey ◽  
Lingling Li ◽  
Junhong Xie
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
Use Efficiency

Water is one of the most important limiting factor of rainfed continuous maize (Zea mays L.) cropping systems in northwest of China. A three continuous year field experiments were conducted to study the influence of different nitrogen time of application on grain yield and water use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) in the Western Loess plateau. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with two treatments and three replicates. Treatments were; (one-third application of N at sowing + two-third application at pre-flowering) and (one-third application of N at sowing + one-third pre-flowering + one-third at milking) as T1 and T2 respectively. The results showed that, T1 significantly increased grain yield by 9% in 2014 and 2016; and WUE by 11% in 2016 compared to T2. T1 increased AE by 43% compared to T2. Our results indicate that ⅓ application of Nitrogen at sowing and ⅔ application of Nitrogen at pre–flowering (T1) for maize is more appropriate for sustainable maize production in terms of satisfactory grain-N recoveries and low environmental losses of N fertilizer.

COMBINAÇÃO DE ESPAÇAMENTO ENTRELINHAS E DENSIDADE POPULACIONAL NO AUMENTO DA PRODUTIVIDADE EM MILHO

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 440
Author(s):  
RAFAEL BOIAGO ◽  
RENATO GARCIA ◽  
ADILSON RICKEN SCHUELTER ◽  
RAFAEL BARRETO ◽  
GLACY JAQUELINE DA SILVA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Corn Hybrids ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Main Effects

RESUMO - Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do arranjo espacial e da densidade de semeadura na produtividade de cinco híbridos de milho, em dois locais no cultivo de verão. Foram utilizados espaçamentos de 80 cm e de 45 cm entrelinhas, e densidades de semeadura de 42.000, 52.000, 62.000 e 85.000 plantas ha-1. As avaliações foram conduzidas em Cascavel-PR e em Rio Verde-GO. Foram observados efeitos significativos para os fatores principais (híbrido, espaçamento entrelinhas e densidade), mas não foram observadas interações entre os fatores, com exceção da interação densidade x híbrido em Rio Verde. Houve maior efeito do espaçamento entrelinhas do que da densidade populacional na produtividade de todos os híbridos. No espaçamento de 45 cm entrelinhas, os híbridos produziram, em média, 36% a mais do que no espaçamento de 80 cm, nos dois locais avaliados. Houve aumento de produtividade com aumento da densidade de semeadura até 75 mil plantas ha-1 em Cascavel, e até 85 mil plantas ha-1 em Rio Verde. Palavras-chave: Zea mays, arranjo espacial de plantas, sistemas de cultivo. COMBINING ROW SPACING AND POPULATION DENSITY IN INCREASING MAIZE YIELD  ABSTRACT - This study aimed to evaluate the effects of spatial arrangement and plant density from five corn hybrids at two locations in the summer season. Row spacing used were 80 cm and 45 cm between rows and plant densities were 42,000, 52,000, 62,000 and 85,000 plants ha-1. The evaluations were conducted in Cascavel, State of Paraná, and Rio Verde, State of Goiás, Brazil. Significant effects were observed for the main effects (hybrid, row spacing and density), but there were no interactions between the main effects, with the exception of the interaction between density x hybrid in Rio Verde. There was a greater effect of row spacing than the population density on yield of all hybrids. With the row spacing at 45 cm the hybrids yielded, on average, 36% more than at a spacing of 80 cm, in the two locations. There was a trend for increased productivity with increased seeding rate up to 75,000 plants ha-1 in Cascavel, and up to 85,000 plants ha-1 in Rio Verde. Keywords: Zea mays, spatial arrangements, cultivation systems.

scholarly journals Field Population Density Effects on Field Yield and Morphological Characteristics of Maize

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Vasileios Greveniotis ◽  
Stylianos Zotis ◽  
Evangelia Sioki ◽  
Constantinos Ipsilandis
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Plant Height ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Kernel Weight ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Thousand Kernel Weight ◽  
Maize Hybrids

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of population density and row spacing on field yield and other morphological characteristics of two commercial F1 maize hybrids of different biological cycle (Costanza and LG3535) in a four-year period. Field experiments were conducted in a split-split plot design, in two population densities and three types of row spacing, involving single or twin rows. Ten plants from each plot were selected randomly and plant height, ear emergence height, ear length, ear diameter, number of grain rows per ear, grains number per ear, grain weight per ear, spindle weight per ear, and spindle diameter were measured. Grain yield of each plot was measured and field yield, thousand kernel weight and bulk density were calculated. Four years of experimentation clarified that environmental conditions may distort all other effects of the factors studied. This study points out the best combination of plant density and row configuration. High populations and twin or narrow rows (50 cm) were found to be important for maximizing yield of modern maize hybrids. Differences between hybrids were not significant, although Costanza exhibited greater mean field yield performance (14,364 kg/ha). Plant density was a significant factor and yield was increasing from low to high plant population (from 13,900 to 14,527 kg/ha). Plant density and genetic materials affected thousand kernel weights that showed the highest value at low plant density (364 g). Row spacing showed a significant interaction with year. Generally, twin or narrow rows favored many characteristics, especially height characteristics. Plant height reached 320 cm and ear height reached 149 cm. Ear diameter was favored by low plant density. Some ear characteristics were found to be depended on the genotype behavior in the certain environmental conditions. For spindle weight per ear, a total interaction between years, row spacing, hybrids, and plant density was found. For spindle diameter, various significant interactions were found, including years (maximum also in 2009), row spacing, and plant density and also row spacing, hybrids, and plant density. Many correlations were found significant especially between yield and thousand kernel weight, spindle weight per ear, and ear diameter that may prove to be useful for plant breeders.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document