Performance of Maize (Zea Mays L.) under Different Sowing Methods and Intra-Row Spacing

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in demonstration farm of the college of Agricultural studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Shambat, Khartoum North, Sudan, to study the effects of sowing methods and intra-row spacings on some agronomic characteristics of Maize crop, Hudeiba I cultivar, seasons 2019/20 and 2020/21, including plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index, number of rows/ear, number of seeds/ row, number of grains per Ear, 1000-grains weight and grain yield (t.ha-1), were conducted. The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block Design in split plot arrangement with three replications. Main plot were sowing methods (drilling, ridging and terrace). Subplots were intra-row spacing of (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm). Sowing methods and intra-row spacing had significant effects on plant height, number of seeds per ear, and grain yield. Row spacing had non-significant effects on stem sickness, number of rows per cob and 1000-grain weight. Intra-row spacing at 20 cm was gave the highest grain yield (6.99 t.ha-1) and the same intra-row spacing 20 cm combined with ridging sowing method were gave the maximum grain yield, so they were achieved (8.33 t.ha-1). Intra-row spacing (10 cm) in combination with terrace sowing method were produced the lower grain yield (3.53 t.ha-1), and intra-row spacing 10 cm with drilling sowing method were gave the highest plant height in both two seasons, they were achieved 190.13 cm. It’s clear that plant height increased with decrease in intra-row spacing. Stem diameter decreased with decrease in intra-row spacing.