Effects of space arrangements of plants on the sanity of corn hybrids

Abstract

SAP: 6335

Data do envio: 02/04/2012

Data do aceite: 10/12/2012

 

The correct density of plant population is a factor considered by farmers to increase yield. However, the plant arrangement provides a specific microclimate that could favor the development of phytopathogens and physiological abnormalities, affecting the crop development. This study aimed to examine the effects of plant arrangement on the sanity of five corn hybrids (XB 6010, XB 6012, XB 7253, XB 9003 and AG 9010), in two spacings (0.45 and 0.90 m between lines) and five plant populations (50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000 and 90,000 plants ha^-1). The experiment was conducted in 2009, in Selvíria (Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil), and the following traits were measured: presence of multiple ears, maize bushy stunt phytoplasma, tropical rust and leaf blight. The results were submitted to statistical analysis; the effects of hybrids and spacings were compared through Tukey’s test, and the effects of population, through regression analysis. The results indicated that the spatial arrangement of plants influence the sanity of the hybrids  differently. Presence of multiple  ears  and tropical rust

decreased linearly as the population increased, and maize bushy stunt phytoplasma was not influenced. As for leaf blight, only the hybrid XB 6012 was affected by the population, with the occurrence of the highest manifestation of symptoms in a population of 72,594 plants ha^-1.