Response of different planting densities on agronomic parameters in the cultivation of native maize (mejen) in Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the response of planting densities on agronomic parameters in native Mejen maize from the State of Tabasco, Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach: A randomized complete block design with four repetitions was used, where the treatments were: T1: 0.25 m between plants and two seeds per blow (80,000 plants ha^-1), T2: 0.50 m between plants and three seeds per blow. blow (60,000 plants ha^-1), T3: 0.75 m between plants and four seeds per blow (53,333 plants ha^-1) and (T4: 1 m between plants and five seeds per blow (50,000 plants ha^-1) The variables were: height of plant without male flower (APSFM, cm), of ear (AM, cm), dry biomass of plant, bracts and rachis (ton ha^-1), number of bracts, rows per ear , grain per row and grain per ear, and grain yield (GY, ton ha^-1).

Results: It was shown that the morphological response of the plants, ears and GY was influenced by the planting densities. The treatment of 80,000 plants ha^-1 expressed a GY of 4.75 ton ha^-1 higher than the regional average of 1.94 t ha-1 in traditional systems in Tabasco.

Limitations on study/implications: The native maize architecture allows the use of high densities to increase productivity.

Findings/conclusions: It was shown that despite obtaining a lower number of grains per ear in the treatments with greater planting distances, this is compensated by the higher number of plants per row by obtaining higher grain yields.

Keywords: ear, bracts, rachis, grain yield, rows.