EAR NUMBER PER PLANT IN MAIZE POPULATIONS WITH DIFFERENT TILLER NUMBER UNDER TWO PLANTING DENSITIES

Abstract

With the objective of evaluate the effect of tillering in maize (Zea mays L.) populations and plant population density on the ear number per plant, a study was carried out at the Agriculture Experimental Station of the College of Postgraduates, in Tecamac, State of Mexico, during the spring-summer season of 1999. The experimental design
used was a randomized complete blocks with arrangement in split plots and six replications. In the main plots were assigned the population densities: 30 000 and 65 000 plants per hectare and in subplots the maize populations named: Main stem with zero (Tp+0h), with one (Tp+2h), with two (Tp+2h) and with three (Tp+3h) tillers per plant. The number of ear bearing tillers per plant and the number of ears in the main stem decreased as the population density increased. Total leaf area per plant declined (P≤0.05) due to reduction of tiller number per plant. As tiller number increased through the populations, leaf area on main stem decreased (P≤0.05), but the total leaf
area per plant and leaf area index were increased.