Effect of border in a corn hybrid

Abstract

The effect of two planting methods, plant populations and fertilization on the yield of corn grain, was studied for three years at the Sete Lagoas Experiment Station, Minas Gerais, without irrigation, using a double cross hybrid, Hmd 6999 B. A "solid" planting method commonly used in this area was compared to a "skip row" method, with theoretically exploits border effect. The first method showed higher yields than the second. The optimum population of plants for a dark red latosol was estimated at around 50,000 plants per hectare. For an alluvial soil around 75,000 plants per hectare were estimated. Several soil factors were shown to be important in optimum plant population determination. The estimated optimum plant population varied with years NPK fertilization exhibited a uniform effect, independent of years. The maximum increment in production due to the variation of NPK fertilization was estimated at 40%.