African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6894

Full Length Research Paper

Development and yield of maize (Zea mays) under plant densities using single and twin-row spacing

Alcir Jose Modolo
  • Alcir Jose Modolo
  • Programa de Pos-graduacao em Agronomia, Universidade Tecnologica Federal do Parana - PPGAG/UTFPR, Via do Conhecimento, km 01, Pato Branco ? PR, 85503-390, Brasil.
  • Google Scholar
Edemir Miotto Junior
  • Edemir Miotto Junior
  • Programa de Pos-graduacao em Agronomia, Universidade Tecnologica Federal do Parana - PPGAG/UTFPR, Via do Conhecimento, km 01, Pato Branco ? PR, 85503-390, Brasil.
  • Google Scholar
Lindolfo Storck
  • Lindolfo Storck
  • Programa de Pos-graduacao em Agronomia, Universidade Tecnologica Federal do Parana - PPGAG/UTFPR, Via do Conhecimento, km 01, Pato Branco ? PR, 85503-390, Brasil.
  • Google Scholar
Thiago de Oliveira Vargas
  • Thiago de Oliveira Vargas
  • Programa de Pos-graduacao em Agronomia, Universidade Tecnologica Federal do Parana - PPGAG/UTFPR, Via do Conhecimento, km 01, Pato Branco ? PR, 85503-390, Brasil.
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Rivanildo Dallacort
  • Rivanildo Dallacort
  • Programa de Pos-graduacao em Ambiente e Sistemas de Produçao Agricola, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso ? PPGASP/UNEMAT, Rodovia MT - 358, Km 07, Tangara da Serra - MT, 78300-000, Brasil.
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Murilo Mesquita Baesso
  • Murilo Mesquita Baesso
  • Departamento de Engenharia Biossistemas, Universidade de Sao Paulo - FZEA/USP, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Pirassununga ? SP, 13635-900, Brasil.
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Evandro Martin Brandelero
  • Evandro Martin Brandelero
  • Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Tecnologica Federal do Parana - UTFPR, Estrada para Boa Esperanca, Km 04, Dois Vizinhos ? PR, 85660-000, Brasil.
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  •  Received: 30 November 2014
  •  Accepted: 11 March 2015
  •  Published: 12 March 2015

Abstract

Among the main factors that influence higher maize yield are the use of more productive materials, plant arrangement more suitable to the cultivar, reduced spacing between rows and/or higher population density. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the development and yield of maize under different plant densities using single and twin-row spacing configurations. The work was developed in the 2012/2013 harvest year, using a randomized block design, with four replications in a 5 x 5 factorial design, featuring five inter-row spacing arrangements (twin-rows: 0.4 x 0.2, 0.5 x 0.2, 0.6 x 0.2, 0.7 x 0.2 m; and conventional spacing between rows as control: 0.7 m) and five sowing densities (50,000; 65,000; 80,000; 95,000 and 110,000 plants ha-1). The study evaluated plant height and first ear insertion height, stem diameter, number of row per ear, 1,000-kernel weight and yield. The t-test (p = 0.05) was used to evaluate the effects of twin-row spacing arrangements and the contrast between twin-rows and control (single-row). Whenever the interaction between twin-row spacing arrangements and plant population was significant, the data were submitted to Response-Surface Methodology. As population density increased, there were reductions in stem diameter, number of rows per ear, 1,000-kernel weight and yield. The greatest plant heights, first ear insertion heights and yields were obtained in conventional spacing. Kernel yield responded negatively to plant density increase.

 

Key words: Crowding, plant arrangement, production system.