Effect of Intra Row Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea Mays L.) Varieties in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

This study was carried out at the Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja on latitude 6°45' and 7°39' East and Longitude 8°25' and 9°20' North in the Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria, during the cropping season of 2018 to evaluate the effects of intra-row spacing on growth and yield of maize varieties. Two hybrid maize varieties Dekalb920 and Dekalb 818 sourced from National Seed Council of Nigeria were evaluated under six different intra-row spacing's of 14cm, 18,21,25,30,and 37cm, with gross plot of 15m and net plot 0f 9m for such Parameters as plant height, number of leaves, leaf area/index, stem diameter and grain yield. It was a factorial combination experiment laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results obtained during the 12th week after sowing indicated that hybrid variety Dekalb920 which had mean plant height of 273.06cm, number of leaves of 16, leaf area of 734cm2 and grain yield of 8,0t/ha among other parameters was superior to Dekalb818 variety investigated. With respect to intra-row spacing, plants sown on 14 cm had higher mean plant height and number of leaves of 287.7 cm and 16, respectively while plants sown on intra-row spacing of 37 cm had mean plant height of 251.7 cm2 and number of leaves up to 15 respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that optimum intra row spacing and Varietal difference combination in the study area for the maximum grain yield was 25 cm and 14cm for Dekalb 920 variety under adequate amount and regular distribution of rainfall. Results showed that variety and spacing were significantly (P<0.05) different.