Yield parameters of two maize hybrids submitted to different spacing in Paraibano Semiarid, Brazil

One of the most important crop practices to obtain high grain and forage yields in maize is the correct management of the seeding density, because the plant stand can influence growth components, production and partitioning of photoassimilates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and yield of corn cultivation at five spacings, using two hybrids. The experiment was installed at the experimental farm of the Federal University of Campina Grande, CCTA/UFCG, Campus de Pombal, located in the city of Santo Domingo—PB. The experimental design was a randomised complete block, in a factorial scheme, with the factors being five spacings and two hybrids, with four replications. The spacings were 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60 and 0.75 m between plants, and the two hybrids were ‘AG-1051' and ‘BR-106'. The following yield components were evaluated: ear weight with straw and without straw; weight of 1000 seeds, ear length and diameter, grain yield and mass of corn. The spacings of 0.30 and 0.45 m had the best results, corresponding to the population densities of 30,000 and 40,000 plants ha-1, and the ‘AG-1051' cultivar had the best performance, with an average yield of 13 t ha-1, largely due to its better genetic load.