Effect of Sowing Dates on Growth and Grain Yield of Maize Inbred Lines

This study was carried out at National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal to evaluate the effect of sowing dates on growth and grain yield of maize inbred lines. Seven maize inbred lines namely NML-2, RML-17, RML-32, RML-4, RML-86, RML-95 and RML-96 were planted on three different dates i.e. September 02, September 12, September 22, 2015 during winter using randomized complete block design with two replications. The results of this study showed that the growth and yield traits were significantly affected by various planting dates. The inbred line RML-17 produced the highest grain yield where as NML-2 gave the lowest yield during winter season. The highest yield was obtained when inbred lines were planted on September 12 and the lowest yield on September 2. The planting from September 2 to September 12 increased the grain yield. The delay in planting i.e. September 22 decreased grain yield. Therefore September 12 planting was suitable for inbred lines to maximize grain yield production