EFFECTS OF NUMBER OF PLANTS PER HILL AND WITHIN-ROW SPACING ON GRAIN YIELD PERFORMANCE OF OPEN-POLLINATED AND HYBRID MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L)

Abstract

The performance of two single-cross (one white and one yellow) maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids and an open-pollinated (O. P.) white variety was evaluated for optimum grain yield when grown at stand densities of one, two or three plants/hill and four within-row spacings of 24, 30, 40 and 60cm. Between row spacing was maintained at 75cm. Both early and late-season plantings were carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-lfe. After initial ploughing and harrowing, the maize varieties were sown at the four within-row spacings at 75 cm apart. Each plot consisted of four rows 6m long. The experiment was replicated three times in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement. Grain yield was determined by harvesting ears from plants in the central rows of each plot at a determined grain moisture (using Dickey John moisture tester) and the final grain yield was expressed at a standard moisture of 15%. Data were analysed by ANOVA and significant means separated using the least significant difference (lsd) test. Regression analysis was performed to determine the grain yield response of the maize varieties to the spacings at one, two or three plants/hill.

The O. P. TZSR-W-1 and white hybrid 8322-13 gave the highest grain yields and the highest number of ears/ha. Highest grain yields were also obtained at one plant/hilt (r² = 0.90) using the 24 cm within - row spacing and 55,530 plants/ ha and at two plants/hill (r²=0.71) using 30 cm within - row spacing and 88,880 plants/ha.