Effects of different seed sizes and shapes on yield and qualty components of maize (ZEA MAYS l.) grown as grain in Aydin conditions

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different seed sizes and shapes on yield and yield components of some maize (Zea mays L.) varieties grown under the conditions of Aydin. This study was arrenged as split plots experimental design in randomized complete blocks with 3 replicationsin at Adnan Menderes University Agricultural Faculty Research and Production Farm in 2015. Three hybrid maize varieties (Bolson, Simon, Diptic) seeds were used as material in three different sizes (small, medium, large) and two different shapes (Flat, Round). In the research, agricultural characteristics of corn, plant height, height of cob, grain yield, thousand grain weight, cob lenght, number of kernels per cob, protein and oil content were observed. Accordig to the results of the research; the effects of seed variety, size and shape, yield and quality characteristics are statistically significant. In summary; plant height varied from 210.00 to 256.73 cm, height of ear from 76.33 to 97.06 cm, grain yield from 712.4 to 1107.51 kg/da, thousands grain weights from 317.92 to 361.26 g, ear lenght from 18.90 to 22.94 cm, grain number per cob from 562.13 to 737.73, protein content from 8.40 to 10.63 %, the oil content from 3.20 to 3.63 %. According to the results of the research, it was observed that there were variances in shape and size, when there were differences between the varieties. Especially it is known that the selection of varieties is an important factor on the yield and quality. It is considered that these varieties do not have a significant effect on shape and size in the selection of the varieties because of their shape and size and their effect on yield and quality.