Maize production as affected by sowing date, plant density and row spacing

Abstract: Slash and burn methodology is traditionally practised in the department of Pando (Bolivian Amazon).The main crops sowed soon after the slash are maize, rice, cassava and common beans. Two separate field experiments were carried out in 2008-2009 to determine the agronomic responses of maize to sowing date, plant population and row width. For the first experiment a split-plot design was used. Maize cultivar (Bayo Blando and Perla Pandino) was considered as main plots and the date of sowing as subplots. For the second experiment a split-split-plot design was used. Row spacing (0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 m) was considered as main plot, maize cultivar (Cubano Amrarillo and Perla Pandino) as subplots, and plant density (5.0, 7.5 and 10 plant m-2) as sub-subplots. A significant reduction of grain yield was observed as the date of sowing (DS) delayed. Yield reduction of the second DS compared to the first, was 85 and 45 % for Perla Pandino and Bayo Blando respectively. The importance of plant density as a function of the correct row spacing is clearly shown. With the row spacing in use in the considered area (0.9 m) and with th