Effect of different plant populations on yield and yield components ofdifferent maize varieties

The experiment was conducted using RCB design with split plotarrangement and four replications. Four varieties (Azam, Sarhad white, PhariShaheen) were allotted to main plots while the five plant population (80,000-10,000 120,000, 140,000, 160,000 plants/ha) were allotted to subplots 7.5 m2.Having 10 rows with 25-cm distance between rows was used. Seedlingemergence were different of different varieties while plant population has notsignificantly affected to seedling emergence/m2. Greatest leaf stem ration wasrecorded by the plots which were 80,000 plants/ha and lowest leaf stem ratiowas noted in the plots 120,000 plants/ha. Differences among dry stemweight/plant of the four maize varieties were significant. Shaheen producedthe maximum dry stem weight and Phari give minimum dry stem weight.Greatest stem weight was noted in plots of 80,000 plant/ha. Leaf dryweight/plant was significantly affected by the plant populations. Highestnumber of tasseling and silking was obtained from the plots of Shaheen at140,000 plants/ha, while lowest number of tasseling and silking was noted inplots of Azam at 80,000 plants/ha. Plant population significantly affected theplant height and differences in plant heights of four varieties were alsosignificant. Sarhad while attained maximum plant height. Greatest plant heightwas recorded in the plots of 80,000 plants/ha. Maximum days to maturity for160,000 plants/ha was recorded. The maximum days to maturity was recordedfor variety Shaheen and minimum days to maturity for variety Azam wasrecorded. Plant population significant affected ear's height. Differences amongear's height of the four varieties were significant. Cob length wassignificantly affected by different plant population. Different maize varietieswere also significantly affected cob length. Maximum cob length was recordedfor 80,000 plant/ha. Maximum number of cobs/plant were produced by Azamvariety. Plots of 80,000 plants gave highest number of ears. Maximum numberof plant at recorded for 160,000 plants/ha. Shaheen produce maximum plants atharvest. Plot 80,000 plants/ha thousand grain while minimum thousand grainweight were recorded in plots of 160,000 plants/ha. In case of interactionmaximum and thousand grain weight were noted of Azam at 80,000 plants/ha.Plant population significantly affected grain yield/ha. While differences amonggrain yield/ha of the four maize varieties were not significant. Plots of 120,000plants/ha had maximum grain weight/ha. In case of interaction maximum grainweight were noted in plot of Azam at 120,000 plants/ha. Plant populationsignificantly affected the stover yield and differences in stover yield of thefour varieties were also significant. These results lead to the conclusion thatAzam variety and 80,000 plants/ha plant population proved their superiorityover others by enhancing desirable growth, yield and morphologicalcharacteristics. Therefore, they are recommended for higher productivity.