CHANGE IN MAIZE PLANTING DATE AT CULIACÁN, SINALOA, MÉXICO

Abstract

In the State of Sinaloa, México, the changes in agricultural practices, variety types, and breeding strategies in maize (Zea mays L.) have been very dynamic, which has allowed that grain yield was increased by 63 % during the period 1991-2003. On this regard, farmers have advanced the planting date of the cycle Autumn-Winter (A-W) in relation to the previously determined optimal period. In the cycle A-W 2002-2003 were planted, in irrigation, eight commercial hybrids in five planting dates, 15 d apart each, from November 15 to January 15. Data collected were grain yield, days to male and female flowering, plant and ear height, percentage of root and stalk lodging, visual rate of rust (Puccinia sorghi) and ear, as well as the daily maximum, minimum and average temperatures. There were differences (P ≤ 0.01) in grain yield among planting dates, hybrids, and planting date x hybrid interaction. The highest grain yield (average of the eight hybrids) was recorded in the plating date of November 15, 32 d before the planting date recommended for the cycle 1990-1991 (December 17). The white grain hybrids ‘H-375’ and ‘H-438’ showed the highest grain yield (average of five planting dates), while the lowest yield var in ‘P-31G88 Y’. The differences in temperature between the agricultural cycles, specially in the daily maximum temperature, was the most important factor to explain the interaction planting date x hybrid.