Response of different sowing densities on agronomic parameters in the cultivation of mejen corn in Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the response of sowing densities on agronomic parameters in the native mejen corn. Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomized complete block design with four repetitions was used for the treatments: T1 (0.25 m between plants and two seeds per hole (80,000 plants ha-1)), T2 (0.50 m between plants and three seeds per hole (60,000 plants ha-1)), T3 (0.75 m between plants and four seeds per hole (53,333 plants ha-1)), and T4 (1 m between plants and five seeds per hole (50,000 plants ha-1)). The following variables were determined: plant height without male flower (PHWMF, cm), ear size (ES, cm), plant, bracts, and rachis dry biomass (t ha-1); number of bracts, rows per ear, grain per row, grains per ear, and grain yield (GY, t ha-1). Results: Sowing densities influence the morphological response of plants, ears, and GY. The treatment with 80,000 plants ha-1 recorded a GY of 4.75 t ha-1 in traditional systems in Tabasco —greater than the regional average of 1.94 t ha-1. Study Limitations/Implications: The architecture of native corn allows an increase in productivity, as a result of the use of high densities. Findings/Conclusions: Although treatments with greater sowing distances obtained a lower number of grains per ear, this phenomenon is compensated by the greater number of plants per row that leads to higher grain yields.