The effect of crop density on yield of forage maize

The aim of this investigation was to estimate the effects of crop density on the plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), number of leaves per plant (NL), forage yield hectare-1 (FY), dry matter yield hectare-1 (DMY), stem percentage (SP), leaf percentage (LP) and ear percentage (EP) in two maize hybrids of FAO maturity group 600 (ZP 684 and NS 6010). Field trials were carried out in rainfed farming in the Srem region (location Putinci: 44° 59' 19' North and 19° 58' 11' East) during years 2007 and 2008. Three crop densities were compared: G1 - 51,020 plants ha-1, G2 - 59,524 plants ha-1 and G3 - 71,429 plants ha-1 (corresponding to spacing of 70 × 28, 70 × 24, and 70 × 20 cm). Plots were organized as completely randomized block system design in four replications. PH (265.45 cm), SD (2.40 cm), FY (68.63 t ha-1) and DMY (24.63 t ha-1) were significantly higher in 2007 than in 2008 (261.78 cm, 2.32 cm, 61.17 t ha-1 and 21.04 t ha-1, respectively). Hybrid NS 6010 had significantly higher PH (266.23 cm), SD (2.39 cm) and NL (14.75) than hybrid ZP 684 (261.0 cm, 2.33 cm and 13.99, respectively). Increasing crop density significantly increased the PH, FY, DMY and SP, and significantly decreases the SD and EP. Therefore, crop density of 71,429 plants ha-1 (70 x 20 cm) can be recommended for growing hybrids of FAO 600 maturity group in climatic conditions of Srem in order to achieve high yields of forage and dry matter