Comparative evaluation of different planting techniques on growth and yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) crop

Effect of various planting techniques on growth and yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) were investigated at Students Farm, Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The experiment was comprised of five different planting techniques; Bed sowing manually, sowing on ridges manually, flat sowing with dibbler, flat sowing with single row hand drill and sowing with multiple crop planter. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications using net plot size of 15 m x 4.8 m. Crop was sown during 2nd week of February in spring season of 2011 and 2012. Data on growth and yield parameters of maize were recorded and analyzed statistically using Fisher's analysis of variance technique. Different among treatment's means was compared by using least significant difference (lsd) test at 5% probability level. Statistical analyzed data showed that in both year planting methods had a significant effect on germination %, crop growth rate, leaf area index, plant population m-2 grain rows per cob, number of grains per cob and thousand grains weight. Maize planted on bed produced highest grain yield (6.1 t per ha) as against the lowest of 5.18 t per ha by multiple crop planter. Maximum number of grains per cob (520.87), and grains weight per cob (244.74 g) and plant population m-2 was recorded in bed planting method. However non-significant effect of planting techniques was observed on number of cobs per plant, cob diameter, plant height, stem diameter, biological yield and harvest index %. Economically bed sowing gave maximum net income return Rs.67,598, Rs.70,630 in both years 2011 and 2012, respectively. Minimum net income return Rs. 33,302, Rs. 47,650 respectively, in both year was found in multiple crop planter, however the efficiency and workability of multiple crop planter was relatively less than other planting techniques.