Italian Journal of Agronomy (Jul 2020)

Increased planting speed did not affect silage and grain yield of maize, while saving seed and energy

  • Filip Vučajnk,
  • Igor Šantavec,
  • Darja Kocjan Ačko,
  • Jurij Rakun,
  • Jože Verbič,
  • Rajko Bernik,
  • Stanislav Trdan,
  • Matej Vidrih

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2020.1612

Abstract

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Planting speed did not have significant influence on silage and grain yield of maize. By increasing the planting speed, up to 10% less seed was needed per hectare and fuel and energy use was lower for 15%. However significant increase of silage and grain yield per plant was determined by increasing planting speed. Our research using a maize vacuum planter was designed to determine the effects of higher planting speeds then usually suggested on plant spacing variability, silage yield, grain yield, and fuel, energy consumption. The planting speed was 7, 9, and 11 km/h and was carried out with an air vacuum planter. The results show that by the increase of planting speed the distance between the plants in a row, and in most cases also the plant spacing variability increased. It was noticed that by increasing planting speed plant density decreased. Despite the non-uniform spacing of plants in a row at higher planting speeds, no significant differences appeared in the silage and grain yield. This research established that at higher planting speeds significant increase of the silage yield per individual plant and of the grain yield per individual plant was achieved. The ear parameters also show that the kernel mass per individual ear, the ear mass, and the cob mass, as well as the individual kernel mass, are larger at the planting speed of 11 km/h than at the planting speed of 7 km/h. At the latter planting speed, significantly higher fuel consumption per hectare and higher energy use was achieved than at the other two planting speeds. Overall, the planting speed of 11 km/h proved to be most appropriate, despite the increased plant spacing variability. Highlights - Planting speed of vacuum planter did not influence the silage and grain yield of maize. - At a higher planting speed up to 10% less seed was needed per hectare and fuel and energy use was reduced up to 15%. - Silage and grain yield per individual plant increased by increasing planting speed. - By the increase of planting speed plant density decreased. - Plant spacing parameters were significantly affected by planting speed.

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