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REGULAR ARTICLE
Performance of old and new maize hybrids grown at high plant
densities in the tropical Guinea savanna
Alpha Y. Kamara, Abebe Menkir, Ibrahim Kureh, Lucky O.
Omoigui, Friday Ekeleme
Communications in Biometry and Crop Science (2006) 1 (1), 41-48.
ABSTRACT
Genetic improvement of maize hybrids for superior stress tolerance has
contributed to increased yield by allowing hybrids to be planted at
higher plant populations. This study was conducted to evaluate the
response of maize hybrids developed in the Nigerian Savanna from
different eras to high plant densities. Field research was conducted in
2002 and 2003 at the experiment station of the Institute of Agricultural
Research, Samaru in the northern Guinea savanna zone, Zaria, Nigeria.
Six hybrids—two from 1980s, two from 1990s and two from the 2000 eras—were
evaluated at three plant densities using a split-plot design with three
replications. Plant densities (53,333, 66,666, and 79,999 plants ha-1)
constituted the main plots and the six hybrids were assigned to subplots.
Plant densities above 53,333 plants ha-1 reduced grain yield
of hybrids, which might be due to the fact that the hybrids evaluated
were selected at low plant densities and were therefore not tolerant to
plant-density stress. It might also be due to the low yield potential in
the experimental area, which did not allow yield increases at high plant
densities. There were significant differences among the tested hybrids.
The hybrids released in 2000 out-yielded the hybrids released in 1980
and 1990s at all plant densities. To improve maize grain yield at high
plant densities, we recommend that the hybrids be selected at high plant
densities.
Key Words: maize hybrids; plant
densities; maize grain yield.
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