Changes in plant density dependence of leaf photosynthesis of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids, 1959 to 1988

Understanding of the physiological basis for increased maize (Zea mays L.) yields over the last three decades may contribute to future genetic improvement. Recent maize production systems have tended to increase plant densities to maximize grain yield. The objective of this field study was to determine if there were changes in the response of leaf photosynthetic rates to increasing plant densities in four hybrids grown in Ontario from 1959 to 1989. The four hybrids, numbered from the oldest to most recent hybrid ((1) Pride 5, (2) United 106, (3) Pioneer 3978 and (4) Pioneer 3902) were grown at 20 000, 80 000 and 130 000 plants ha−1. Leaf photosynthetic response to irradiance (PRI) and crop growth rate (CGR) were measured near silking and during late grainfilling, leaf area index (LAI) was measured near silking and total grain yield was measured after maturity. The LAIs of recent hybrids tended to be larger than for old hybrids at comparable plant densities. Leaf photosynthetic rates declined in all hybrids at increasing densities, but the decline occurred at lower LAIs in the older hybrids. As a result, despite the higher LAIs of recent hybrids, they showed an equal or higher PRI at all plant densities. The higher PRI of recent hybrids was correlated with higher CGRs and grain yields. These results suggest that increases in optimum plant density for grain and increases in yield may be attributable, in part, to higher PRI at elevated LAIs in recent hybrids. Key words: Leaf area index, plant density, leaf photosynthesis, Zea mays L.