Aptitude of the Lages (SC, Brazil) soils for corn production at different planting dates

Abstract

This work was conducted with the purpose of assaying the potential of corn grain production on "Lages" fields, at Santa Catarina State, Brazil, at different planting dates. The experiment was carried out during two growing seasons: 1986/87 and 1988/89. Two cultivars and four planting dates were tested for each growing season. In 1986/87 the cultivars evaluated were Cargill 511 and Agroceres 28C, planted at September 30 th, October 28 th, December 1 st and January 6 th. In 1988/89 the cultivars tested were Cargill 511 and Agroceres 104, planted at September 16 th, October 14 th, November 17 th and December 14 th. The higher grain yields were obtained when the sowing occurred between September 16 th and November 17 th. When planting date was delayed to December or January, grain yield has decreased as a result of the reduction in the number of ears per plant and due to the lower kernel weight per ear at those planting dates.