Effect of plant density on the yields and feeding value of maize grown for green forage I. Growth dynamics and yield structure

摘要

In the years 1990 and 1991 an experiment was conducted on yield increments in maize. Two maize hybrids were compared — Tandem and Beko and F_2 progeny of Beko referred to as Beko F_2. Maize was grown at 10 and 30 plants per 1 m~2 and was harvested on four dates. In 1993 the experiment involved the hybrid Tandem only. Plant density was also 10 and 30 plants per 1 m~2, but the crop was harvested on 10 dates in order to make a more detailed analysis of the rate at which the dry matter of maize increased. The yields of fresh and dry matter on all dates were significantly higher at the planting density of 30 compared to 10 plants per 1m~2. The choice of culti var was found to be of secondary importance in the production of maize for green forage. The rate of fresh and dry matter increase was nearly identical regardless of plant density. Despite big differences in plant density and ear structure the grain yields of maize at full maturity were but slightly higher at 10 plants per 1 m~2 than at 30 plants per 1 m~2.