GRAIN YIELD OF MAIZE ADAPTED TO THE BASIN PAPALOAPAN REGION CONDITIONS

Abstract

In humid tropical zones of Mexico maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop in human and animal feed. Six maize genotypes were studied to evaluate grain and leaf production, under three plant densities (50,000; 62,500 and 83,333 plants ha-1). The assay was carried out at the Papaloapan University Campus Loma Bonita, Oaxaca. Genotypes used were: DK-357, HE-1A17, H-520, NH5, H-564C and the synthetic variety VS-536. Experimental design consisted of a randomized blocks. Each experimental plot was 12.8 m2. Variables studied were: plant height (cm), days to male flowering, days to silking, ear weight (g), ear length (cm), number of grains per ear, weight of a hundred grains (g), grain yield (kg ha-1), and dry leaf yield (kg ha-1). An analysis of variance was performed for genotypes, densities, and genotypes by densities interaction. In addition, a Tukey test for pairwise comparison was run (P ≤ 0.05). There were significant differences among genotypes, densities and genotype by density interactions. The hybrid H-520 produced the highest grain yield (5,993.3 kg ha-1). The synthetic variety VS-536 showed higher leaf yield than anyone else.