Effect of hybrid and plant density on grain yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays)

A study was carried out to find out optimum plant densities for maize (Zea mays L.), hybrids mostly cultivated as a second crop in Hatay, Turkey, during 2000 and 2001. Five maize hybrids ['Cargill 6127', 'Dekalb 626,' 'Dracma' ('Novartis'), 'Pioneer 3394' and Ttm 815] were examined at 6 plant densities [50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 and 100,000 plants/ha]. The effects of hybrids and plant densities on yield and yield components were statistically significant, however, hybrid x plant density interaction effects were not significant. The highest grain yield was obtained from 'Dracma' and 'P 3394' hybrids (9,591 kg/ha and 9,170 kg/ha respectively). Grain yield increased with increasing plant densities up to 90,000 plants/ha (9,406 kg/ha) but slightly decreased at 100,000 plants/ha.