Plant Population Density and N Rate Influence the Growth and Seed Producibility of Intermediate Maturing Maize Parental Line at Sub-humid Agro-Ecology of Western Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

At the study location of Bako National Maize Research Center, the experiment was carried out on BKL004 maize inbred line in 2019 to 2021 cropping season. The goal of this experiment was to determine an optimum plant population density and N rate on the BKL004 maize parental line. The experiment had two factors: five levels of plant population densities (44,444, 53,333, 66,666, 88,888 and 133,333 plants ha‑1) and four levels of nitrogen (111, 157, 203, and 249 kg ha‑1). The experiment included a total of twenty treatments (4*5) that were distributed in a factorial arrangement using an RCBD design. Each treatment was repeated three times. Different BKL004 maize parental line growth, phonological, and yield characteristics were gathered. Also, partial budget analysis were done to identify the most profitability treatment. Plant population density exerted a significant (p<0.05) effect on plant height, ear height, girth, days to 50% female flowering and seed yield. The tallest plant and ear height were recorded at plant population density of 133,333 plants ha‑1 with average plant and ear height of 146.50 cm and 61.32 cm respectively. The maximum girth (17.47) was obtained at 53, 333 plant population ha‑1. The highest plant population density extends the appearance of 50% days to silking by 91.72 days. The highest seed yield (3307 kg ha‑1) was recoded at plant population of 133,333 plants ha‑1, followed by seed yield recorded at plant population of 88,888 plants ha-1. N at the rate of 249 kg ha-1 with 133,333 plants ha‑1 was the most economically profitable than all the other treatments, followed by economic return obtained at 88,888 plants ha‑1 with 157 kg ha‑1 of N rate. However, as plant population affect the size of seed it may affect the seed germination and seedling vigor. Thus, 88.888 plants ha‑1 with 157 kg ha‑1 N rate was recommended for seed producer.

Keywords

• ear,,
• ,،kernels,,
• ,،plant and ear height,,
• ,،plant ha 1,,
• ,،seed yield