Growth and yield performance of maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars sown in pure and blend forms
2003
Shah, S.H. (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan). Dept. of Agronomy) | Hussain, T. | Saleem, M.F. | Zamir, S.I.
Present investigations were conducted to examine growth and yield performance of maize cultivars, Agaiti-85, Golden and Akbar, sown in pure and blend forms [(1/2 Agaiti +1/2 Golden), (1/2 Agaiti +1/2 Akbar), (1/2 Golden +1/2 Akbar)]. The crop was sown on August 18, 2000 on a sandy clay loam soil using a seed rate of 30 kg ha-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications, having a net plot size of 3m x 5m. Nitrogen and phosphorus were added at the rate of 175 kg and 120 kg ha-1, respectively. The results showed that silking was significantly delayed when cultivar Akbar was sown alone or in blend form. Leaf area per plant of cultivar Akbar was significantly higher than other treatments. Plant height, however, was significantly lower in all the cultivars when sown alone as compared to that sown in combination. Treatment comprising of 1/2 Golden + 1/2 Akbar had maximum number of cobs plant-1 (1.2), number of grains cob-1 (493.3), grain rows cob-1 (15.2) and 1000- grain weight (223.4 g), than pure or blended treatments. Similarly, the highest grain yields (4.0 t ha-1) and stalk yield (11.5 t ha-1) were also obtained from the blend sowing of the same cultivars. These results suggest that a mixed stand of maize cultivars, Golden and Akbar in 1:1 can be a useful combination to harvest maximum potential of added sources.
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