Performance of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) influenced by planting density and tillage system

A field experiment on “Performance of maize hybrids as influenced by establishment methods and planting density” was accomplished at research farm of National Maize Research Program (NMRP), Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal during rabi season of 2015/16. The experiment was laid out in strip-split plot design with three replications consisting of two hybrids as horizontal factor (Rampur hybrid 4 and Rampur hybrid 6), two tillage methods as vertical factors (zero and conventional tillage) and four plant populations as sub-sub plot factors (55.555, 69.444, 85.470 and 1.01.010 plants ha-1). Both maize hybrids (Rampur hybrid 4 and Rampur hybrid 6) produced similar grain yield (5.88 and 6.11 t ha-1, respectively). Similarly, both tillage methods i.e. zero and conventional tillage also produced similar grain yield (6.25 t ha-1 and 5.74 t ha-1, respectively). Beside this, the plant population showed significant effect on grain yield of maize hybrids. Significantly higher grain yield (6.54 t ha-1) was obtained from the population of 85.470 plants ha-1 than 55.555 (5.31 t ha-1) and 69.444 (5.92 t ha-1) plants ha-1 but remained at par with 1.01.010 plants ha-1 (6.21 t ha-1). Both hybrid does not differ statistically in respect to grain yield due to tillage method but produce higher yield at higher planting density than low planting density.