Abstract
Understanding the challenges associated with variation in weather conditions and stages of maturity in maize are essential for farmers to achieve continuous production under climate changes. This research evaluated the interactive effect of planting date and stages of maturity at harvest on maize yield (Zea mays L.). Field trials were conducted during the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons at university of KwaZulu-Natal research farm Pietermaritzburg South Africa. Planting dates comprised of early (November), mid (December) and late planting dates (January). While, harvesting occurred at milk stage, dent stage and physiological maturity. A split plotdesign with four replications was used. The main plot and sub-plot consisted of planting dates and harvesting stages respectively. Response of maize to planting dates and harvesting stages was determined by variables of plant physiological growth and yield parameters. Significant differences in growth and physiological parameters were more obvious in 2015/16 season which was a drier season than 2014/15. Early and mid-planting had positive effect on parameters measured at both seasons. However, mid planting date favoured maize growth and yield more in drier season. The interaction of planting dates and harvesting stages significantly influenced grain yield, thousand seed weight, ear length and diameter. Thousand seed weight, ear length and diameter obtained at dent stage under mid planting outperformed its counterpart from physiological maturity under which late planting. With the increase in climate variability there is high risk that maize planted lately would have lower yield irrespective of its planting dates and might not attain physiological maturity. However, maize harvested at dent stage under early and mid-planting dates gave substantially high yield.
Highlights
The weather conditions at the time of planting have a profound influence on the potential profitability of maize especially under rain-fed cultivation which is common practice by small holder farmers
Maximum and minimum temperatures were higher in 2015/16 (28.1 °C and 15.6 °C) than 2014/15 (24.9 °C and 14.9 °C respectively) which were not in conformity with the long-term maximum and minimum temperatures of 25.6 °C and 16.9 °C (Figure 1). These might have led to higher heat unit accumulation during 2015/16 season especially at early (1479.6 °cd) and mid (1480.7 °cd) planting dates and decreased during the late (1213.1 °cd) planting compared to 2014/15 season where there was increasing trend from early, mid and late planting dates (1289.4 °cd, 1352.2 °cd and 1831.84 °cd respectively)
This current study showed that the increase in atmospheric temperature and below average rainfall experienced made 2015/16 season a drier season compared to 2014/15 season
Summary
The weather conditions at the time of planting have a profound influence on the potential profitability of maize especially under rain-fed cultivation which is common practice by small holder farmers. Planting date is one of the most important management practices that influence the resultant crop yield through seedling establishment and development. Planting date has direct influence on day and night temperature, light intensity, photoperiod and soil moisture which affect crop growth duration and harvesting period. Optimal planting dates varies across region and differences in planting dates expose crop to different stress factors. The current drastic variability in weather conditions may cause shift in optimal planting date widow, thereby leading to delay in planting date. The number of suitable days can vary greatly from year to year
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