Effect of hybrid and plant density on grain yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays)

A study was carried out to find out optimum plant densities for maize (Zea mays L.), hybrids mostly cultivated as a second crop in Hatay, Turkey, during 2000 and 2001. Five maize hybrids [ Cargill 6127, Dekalb 626, Dracma ( Novartis ), Pioneer 3394 and Ttm 8151 were examined at 6 plant densities [50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000 and 100,000 plantslha]. The effects of hybrids and plant densities on yield and yield components were sta tistically significant, however, hybrid x plant density interaction effects were not significant. The highest grain yield was obtained from Dracma and P 3394 hybrids (9,591 kg/ha and 9,170 kglha respectively). Grain yield increased with increasing plant densities up to 90,000 plantslha (9,406 kglha) but slightly decreased at 100,000 plantslha.