Influence of contrasting canopy architecture on yield of maize hybrids

Ahsan Areeb,Rana Nauman Shabir,Saad Ullah,Noman Ramzan

doi:10.33687/jacm.002.01.3188

Ahsan Areeb, Rana Nauman Shabir + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33687/jacm.002.01.3188

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Abstract

The yield and productivity of maize is influenced by several factors of which the orientation of canopy in time and space is a crucial one. A field study was undertaken at Agronomic Research Area, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan during autumn 2015 to compare the impact of contrasting canopy architecture on yield and yield components of maize hybrids. Two maize hybrids with contrasting canopy architecture viz., Pioneer 30Y87 (semi-erect canopy) and Monsanto’s DK6789 (droopy canopy architecture) were sown in 75 cm spaced ridges. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (split-plot arrangement) with three replications. Data on yield attributes of maize were recorded following standard procedures. Differences among treatments’ means were compared using Tukey’s honest significant difference test (HSD) at 5% probability level. Results revealed that there were significant differences among hybrids regarding the number of grains per cob, the 1000-grain weight and ultimately the yield of maize crop. Almost all of the parameters were significantly affected by Hybrid 30Y87 and it attained the grain yield. This was due to its better light attenuating properties and the shading effect of its canopy which helped in suppressing the weeds growing underneath.

Highlights

Being a leading world cereal both in terms of production and productivity, maize ranks the world's third most important cereal crop after wheat and rice
A field study was undertaken at Agronomic Research Area, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences& Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan during autumn 2015 to compare the impact of contrasting canopy architecture on yield and yield components of maize hybrids
The loss in maize cropping system is caused by animal pests is 18%, fungal and pathogens disturb 16% and virus 2% but weed infestation is much higher than other factors reduce the production potential 37%

Summary

Introduction

Being a leading world cereal both in terms of production and productivity, maize ranks the world's third most important cereal crop after wheat and rice. In the present cropping system of Pakistan, maize has significant value and contributes to the economy of Pakistan It is on the third rank in Pakistan after wheat and rice and mostly used for food, feed and provides the raw material for industrial products like starch manufacturing (MINFAL, 2013). Maize plant stands with the help of erect stem which originates alternate leaves It produces tassel on the upper part and female inflorescence on the lower part. In maize cropping system the main yield reducing agent between biotic factors is weed infestation (Oerke and Dehene, 2004). The loss in maize cropping system is caused by animal pests is 18%, fungal and pathogens disturb 16% and virus 2% but weed infestation is much higher than other factors reduce the production potential 37%. There was 25 to 80% reduction in yield of maize or total crop failure noticed where the full attack of weed was found (Chikoye & Ekeleme, 2003)

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