GRAIN YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS IN PROLIFIC MAIZE POPULATIONS, STABLISHED UNDER TWO PLANTING DENSITIES

Abstract

In order to determine the effect of prolificacy trait selection and plant population density upon grain yield and its components, in maize (Zea mays L.) a study was conducted at tge Agriculture Experimental Station of the Colegio de Postgraduados, in Tecamac, state of México, in 1999. A randomized complete block design with
six replications and split plot arrangement was used. Main plots were two population densities: 30 and 65 thousand plants per hectare, and subplots three maize populations: the original population (PC0), the first (PC1) and the second (PC2) selection cycles for prolificacy. Density x population interaction was not significant (P≤0.05). There were not significant differences (P≤0.05) among populations in grain yield per hectare, but there were in weight of a hundred grains of the primary and secondary ears; in both cases PC2 was the best population (P≤0.05). There were significant differences (P≤0.05) among densities in ear length and weight of a hundred grains of the primary ear; there were differences also in the secondary car in length, diameter, number of grains per row, number of grains per ear and weight of a hundred grains since the lower density had statistically superior values (P≤0.05). The number of rows per ear was the most stable component. Only the secondary ear reduced its grain yield significantly (P≤0.05) in the high density.