Agro-economic assessment of the response of maize varieties to the prevailing moisture stress of late season planting in South Western Nigeria

Abstract

The growth, development and yield of two maize varieties: TZSR-W and TZESR-W were monitored in two agro-economic trials during the 2006 and 2007 late planting seasons in Nigeria. Results obtained, which were similar for both years showed that TZSR-W (a late maturing variety) was significantly superior to variety TZESR-W (early maturing) in terms of plant height and leaf area. In terms of grain yield and growth analysis parameters (LAR and RLGR), TZESR-W was superior to TZSR-W. The yearly dry season was observed to have set in at the time of tarselling and silking in cultivar TZSR-W, whereas cultivar TZESR-W was well into grain filling. The additional labour requirement for weeding of TZSR-W before full maturity was attained also made it costlier to produce. The value of yield advantage of TZESR-W averaged aboutN31, 440.00 (US$209.6) per hectare. Early maturing maize variety therefore appears to have the potentials for the development of high seed yield and economic value under the prevailing environmental condition that characterized the late season planting in South West Zone of Nigeria. Key words: Agro-economic, yield advantage, economic value.