Seasons and planting densities interaction on forage production of eight hybrids maize, Ecuador

Objective. To assess the interaction effect of the season and planting densities on the production of eight INIAP corn hybrids. Materials and methods. A research process was conducted in 2013. It was applied a split - split plot design with three replication and Tukey test was used. It was evaluated two planting seasons (28 January and 8 April), they were placed in large plots. Two planting densities (65.500 y 125.000 plants/ha), that were located in the subplots and eight INIAP corn hybrids arranged in the sub- subplots. The evaluated variables were Fresh Matter, Dry Matter, Plant Height and Crude Protein Results. Fresh Matter and Crude Protein productions were influenced by planting seasons. Plant densities affected the production of Fresh Matter, Dry Matter and Plant Height, as well as the interaction season by corn INIAP hybrids. While INIAP corn hybrids showed statistical differences in the production of Fresh, Dry Matter, Plant Height and Crude Protein. The eight INIAP hybrids productions were: Fresh Matter (58.86 ton/ha ±5.19); Dry Matter (21.45 ton/ha ±4.71); Plant Height (2.46 m ±0.16) and Crude Protein (10.6±1.12). Conclusions. The performance showed by hybrids INIAP CML-172, INIAP 6021 and INIAP 551 were very acceptable forage material and could be used for silage purposes.