Influence of Sowing Dates on Varying Maize (Zea mays I.) Varieties Grown under Agro-Climatic Condition of Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

The rapid climate changes are imperative to evaluate and find ways that suite to maize-specific varieties either hybrids or varieties with appropriate sowing dates to avoid the critical growth stages from the stresses due to climate condition. Sowing at proper time and selection of good verity are the most important factor cropping system. A field experiment was conducted at the University of Agriculture Research Farm during summer 2016 to evaluate the influence of sowing dates on varying maize varieties grown under the agro-climatic condition of Peshawar. The experiment was laid out in RCBD (randomized complete block design) were replicated three times with split plot arrangement. Sowing dates (10 June, 21 June, 1 July, 11 July, 22 July) were allotted to main plot and varieties (Iqbal, Azam, Jalal, Babar, SB-989, SB-909, SB-292, CS-200, CS-220, and W-888) were placed in the subplot. The subplot size was 5 m × 3 m. Experimental result showed that maximum days to tasseling (60), days to silking (65), tasseling and silking interval (6), plant height (185 cm), biological yield (21745 kg ha-1), 1000 grain weight (413 g) grain yield (5162 kg ha-1) were observed in different sowing intervals. Among the different verities the maximum days to tasseling (57), days to silking (62), tasseling and silking interval (7). Plant height, (176 cm), biological yield (17279 kg ha-1), 1000 grain weight (410 g), grain yield (5113 kg ha-1). It is concluded from the result that early sowing and tested variety W-888 give higher grain yield and yield traits of maize.