A field experiment was conducted during 2019 main cropping season at Boloso Sore district with the objective of evaluating different maturing varieties and row spacing on yield and yield components of maize. Four row spacing (50, 65, 70 and 80 cm) and three maize varieties (BH-540, BH-543 and BH-547) were tested in factorial arrangement laid out in RCBD replicated three times.This work analyses the study and presents its results.
Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. It ranks third in world production after wheat and rice. Ethiopia is the fourth largest maize producing country in Africa, and first in the East African region in terms of production. Presently maize is widely grown in most parts of the world over a wide range of environmental conditions ranging between 50º latitude north and south of the equator. Maize is an important field crop in terms of area coverage, production and utilization in Ethiopia. It ranks second in area coverage (after teff) and first in total production among cereals. It is grown for its food and feed values and one of the most important staples and cash crops and the main sources of calories. In view of its high demand for food grains and high yield per unit area, maize has been among the leading food grains selected to achieve food self-sufficiency in Ethiopia.The major maize producing regions in Ethiopia are Oromia, Amhara, and SNNPRS in descending order.
The national average productivity of maize was 4.09 ton ha-1. In SNNPRS, maize ranked first in terms of area coverage and production among cereals and its average yield was 3.93 ton ha-1. Wolaita zone is one of the most important maize producing zones in SNNPR State. According to CSA report, at Wolaita zone, maize is the first leading crops among cereals in area coverage, and its zonal average yield was 3.01 tha-1.
Table of Contents
- ABSTRACT
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
- 2.1 Description of the Study Area
- 2.2 Experimental Materials and Design
- 2.3 Agronomic Practices
- 2.5 Data Collection and Measurements
- 2.6 Statistical Data Analysis
- 3. Results and discussion
- 3.1 Number of Ears Per Plant
- 3.2 Ear length (cm)
- 3.3 Ear Diameter (cm)
- 3.4 Number of Kernel Per Ear
- 3.5 Number of kernel row per ear
- 3.6 Number of Kernel Per Row
- 3.7 Thousand Kernels Weight
- 3.8 Grain Yield (t-ha¯¹)
- 4. Conclusion and Recommendations
- 5. REFERENCES
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different maize varieties and row spacing on yield components and overall yield in the Boloso Sore district of Southern Ethiopia. The research aimed to determine optimal planting conditions for maximizing maize production in an area with limited rainfall and soil fertility.
- Impact of row spacing on maize yield and yield components.
- Varietal differences in response to varying row spacing.
- Identification of optimal row spacing and maize variety for the study area.
- Contribution to improving maize production in resource-limited environments.
- Analysis of the interaction between variety and row spacing on maize yield.
Chapter Summaries
1. INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces maize as a globally significant cereal crop, highlighting its importance in Ethiopia and the challenges to its productivity, such as low soil fertility, limited rainfall, and suboptimal agronomic practices. It underscores the need to identify optimal planting densities and suitable varieties for maximizing yields in the specific context of the study area, Boloso Sore district in Southern Ethiopia. The chapter sets the stage by outlining the problem of low maize yield in the region despite its wide cultivation and establishing the rationale for the research.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This chapter details the methodology employed in the study. It describes the study area, characterized by limited rainfall and soil fertility. It outlines the experimental design, including the selection of three maize varieties (BH-540, BH-543, and BH-547) and four row spacings (50, 65, 70, and 80 cm). The chapter meticulously describes the agronomic practices implemented and the data collection methods used to assess various yield components and the final grain yield. Finally, it explains the statistical techniques used for data analysis, setting the groundwork for the interpretation of the results presented in subsequent chapters.
3. Results and discussion: This chapter presents and discusses the findings of the field experiment. The results show significant interactions between row spacing and maize variety on several yield components, including the number of ears per plant, number of kernels per row, 1000-kernel weight, and grain yield. While ear length, ear diameter, number of kernels per ear, and number of kernel rows per ear showed a decreasing trend with decreasing inter-row spacing across all varieties, the overall yield varied significantly based on both row spacing and variety. The highest grain yield was obtained from a 70 cm row spacing using the BH-543 variety, while the lowest yield resulted from a 50 cm spacing with the BH-540 variety. These findings highlight the importance of considering both variety selection and row spacing optimization for improved maize production in the study area.
Keywords
Row Spacing, Maize Variety, Yield, Yield Components, Grain Yield, Ethiopia, Boloso Sore, Plant Density, Resource-Limited Agriculture
Frequently Asked Questions: Maize Yield Optimization in Boloso Sore, Ethiopia
What is the main topic of this research?
This research investigates the impact of different maize varieties and row spacing on yield components and overall maize yield in the Boloso Sore district of Southern Ethiopia. The goal is to identify optimal planting conditions to maximize maize production in this area, which faces challenges like limited rainfall and soil fertility.
What are the key objectives of the study?
The study aims to determine the impact of row spacing on maize yield and its components, analyze varietal differences in response to varying row spacing, identify the optimal row spacing and maize variety for the study area, contribute to improving maize production in resource-limited environments, and analyze the interaction between variety and row spacing on maize yield.
Which maize varieties and row spacings were used in the experiment?
Three maize varieties (BH-540, BH-543, and BH-547) and four row spacings (50, 65, 70, and 80 cm) were used in the field experiment.
What were the key findings of the study regarding yield components?
Significant interactions were observed between row spacing and maize variety on several yield components, including the number of ears per plant, number of kernels per row, 1000-kernel weight, and grain yield. Ear length, ear diameter, number of kernels per ear, and number of kernel rows per ear generally showed a decreasing trend with decreasing inter-row spacing across all varieties.
What was the effect of row spacing and variety on grain yield?
The highest grain yield was achieved with a 70 cm row spacing using the BH-543 variety. Conversely, the lowest yield resulted from a 50 cm spacing with the BH-540 variety. This highlights the importance of optimizing both variety selection and row spacing for improved maize production.
What are the main conclusions and recommendations?
The study concludes that both row spacing and maize variety significantly influence maize yield and its components in the Boloso Sore district. The results provide valuable insights for optimizing maize production in resource-limited environments by recommending specific variety and row spacing combinations for maximum yield.
Where can I find more details about the methodology used?
The "Materials and Methods" chapter provides a detailed description of the study area, experimental design, agronomic practices, data collection methods, and statistical analysis techniques used in the research.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
The keywords are: Row Spacing, Maize Variety, Yield, Yield Components, Grain Yield, Ethiopia, Boloso Sore, Plant Density, Resource-Limited Agriculture.
What is the overall significance of this research?
The research contributes to improving maize production strategies in resource-limited environments like the Boloso Sore district, offering practical recommendations for farmers to enhance their yields and contribute to food security.
- Quote paper
- Wolde Tasew (Author), 2021, Response of Maize (Zea Mays L.) Varieties to Row Spacing at Boloso Sore District, Southern Ethiopia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/983483
