PLANTING DATE EFFECT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE OFF SEASON MAIZE CROP IN THE PARANA STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract

The off season maize (Zea mays L.) is a great option of profitability for growers. In spite of this, the predominant weather conditions of this period of the year like temperature, solar radiation and water availability are limiting factors to the corn plant development. The objective this present work was to evaluate the effects of different planting dates on off-season corn performance in four sites of Parana State. The trials were carried out in Londrina and Cambara (North region), Ubiratã (MidWestern region) and Palotina (West region), which are main growing regions of the off season corn crop. The experimental design was a randomized complete block arranged in a split plot scheme with four replications. The main plots were composed of four planting dates while the sub-plots were composed of varieties. The results showed that the earlier the planting is performed the better are wheather conditions to obtain the maximum grain yield . As planting is delayed gradual losses in the grain yield potential occur. In early planting dates acceleration of plant cycle occurs due to the initial accumulation of degree-days. As planting is delayed, plant cycle gradually increases due to the reduction in the accumulated heat mainly in the month of May.

Keywords

• Zea mays L.
• cycles
• grain yield