Population densities and fertilization levels in grain yield of an experimental variety of yellow maize

Abstract

Of the national maize production only 8% corresponded to yellow corn in 2013, six million tons were imported. Therefore, it is required to increase production of yellow corn grain, to address the deficit and reduce imports, implementing agronomic practices to increase their performance. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the interaction between two levels of fertilization and three population densities in grain yield of yellow corn. The experiment was set up in the cycle of P-V 2014 in El Mezquite municipality of Galeana, Nuevo Leon. Seed of an experimental variety of yellow variety derived from a cross between Pool 33 and Pool 34 from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) was used. Three population densities (60, 70 and 80 thousand plants ha-1) and two fertilization levels (120-60-60 and 180-60-60 of N-P-K, respectively), were evaluated. The experiment was analyzed under an experimental design randomized blocks with factorial 2x3 (two fertilization levels three population densities) with four replications. Agronomic characters plant height (APTA), ear height (AMAZ), male flowering (FM), silking (FF), and efficiency (REN) were evaluated. The results showed no significant differences in population densities and fertilizer levels in the evaluated variables.