Effect of planting density on green ear yield of maize cultivars bred in different periods

Abstract

corn is a highly appreciated product by people in the Northeast, and is also used in the preparation of typical regional dishes. After the green ears are harvested, the husks are used as a feedstuff for cattle. The production of green ears is interesting for several reasons. The ears can be harvested in a very short time (70 to 75 days), and up to four annual crops can be obtained. If the grower does not intend to sell green ear corn, the dry grain can still be ABSTRACTCorn cultivation in the Northeast region of Brazil is characterized by a great diversity of production systems, ranging from large companies (modern cultivars and relatively high planting densities) to small farms (family agriculture, traditional cultivars, and low planting densities). In the present work we evaluated the effects of planting density (30; 40; 50; 60; or 70 thousand plants ha -1 -TPH) on green ear yield of cultivars Centralmex (traditional) and AG 510 (hybrid). Different densities were achieved by maintaining 1.0 m between rows and varying the spacing between pits, within the row. Cultivars and planting densities were combined in a factorial scheme, arranged in a random block design with four replicates and four 6 m long row plots. The number of green ears increased with density in both cultivars, but in a significantly more intense pace in cultivar AG 510. Cultivar AG-510 (14.9 t ha -1 on average, maximum yield at 58 TPH) yielded significantly more unhusked green ears than cultivar Centralmex (13.6 t ha -1 on average, maximum at 61 TPH). Marketable green ear yield increased with density in both cultivars, but more intensively in cultivar AG 510, which significantly out yielded cultivar Centralmex from 43 TPH ahead. The difference between cultivars at the planting density of 70 TPH was 14.4 t ha -1 . There was no response of cultivar Centralmex in number of marketable husked green ears, while cultivar AG 510 increased yield with planting density. The difference between both cultivars started being significant at 38 TPH. Husked ear length decreased linearly and similarly in both cultivars as planting density increased. Planting density did not influence plant and ear height, and cultivar Centralmex was superior in both characteristics at all planting densities. There was no effect of cultivars on stalk diameter and root system biomass. Both characteristics decreased linearly as planting density increased.

Baby corn, green corn, and dry corn yield of corn cultivars

“…Corn straw consists of the above-ground part of the corn plant with or without the ears; in general, it is used in animal nutrition. Cultivars and cultural practices influence yield values of baby corn (Carvalho et al, 2002;Pandey et al, 2002aPandey et al, , 2002bThakur et al, 1998), green ears (Almeida et al, 2005;Silva et al, 2007), grain (Ferreira et al, 2009;Strieder et al, 2008), and herbage (Widdicombe & Thelen, 2002a, b). In addition to the potential exploitation of corn crops as explained above, other uses just begun to be studied and are based on corn prolificacy.…”

Planting density of gliricidia when intercropped with corn for weed control

“…The soil in the experimental area, classified as Red-Yellow Argisol (PVA) (Embrapa, 1999) (Trezzi et al, 2008). However, studies accomplished in the area where this experiment was conducted showed that the ideal planting density for corn is, in general, from 40 to 50 thousand plants ha -1 (Silva & Silva, 1985;Silva et al, 2007). Thinning was performed 24 days after sowing, leaving the two more vigorous plants in each pit.…”

Influence of corn sowing density and gliricidia intercropping on weed control

“…Second, although many studies have been conducted on corn seeding density, such studies are still of interest as new hybrids are constantly developed. Recently developed hybrids can tolerate higher seeding densities than older hybrids (Silva et al, 2007). Current hybrids are less subject to lodging at high seeding densities and can withstand better the stress conditions caused by high seeding densities, producing smaller numbers of sterile plants (Widdicombe & Thelen, 2002).…”

“…Finally, it should be mentioned that the effects of seeding density vary with other environmental factors (Farnham, 2001). Increased planting densities result in increased green ear yield (Silva et al, 2007) and corn grain yield (Widd icombe & Thelen, 2002). On the other hand, weed management is facilitated as row spacing values are reduced in corn seeding, with the goal of achieving agricultural sustainability (Balbinot Junior & Fleck, 2004;Begna et al, 2001).…”