Effect of Row Direction and plant distribution on growth Characteristics of Maize (Zea mays L . )

Abstract

This study was conducted at the field of the College of agriculture / University of Diala ,during autumn season 2006 , to determine the influence of plant rows orientation in addition to find best plants distribution including fixed plant density . The design used was the randomized complete block design (R . C .B . D . ) ,in a factorial experiment with three replications , the replicate include , two plant rows orientation ( East-West , North-South ) and the plants distribution ( 20 x100 , 40 x 50 ,80 x25 ) cm. Between plants and rows respectively . Characters evaluated were number of days from planting to 75% flowering (tasseling and silking ), plant high (cm) , leaf area ( L A ) (ds2 ) , Leaf Area Index ( L A I ) ,Stem diameter ( cm ). The results were as follows : 1- Plant height, ( L A ) and ( L A I ) are significantly affected by row direction . 2- silk appearance, plant height , L A and L A I are significantly affected by plants distribution. 3- Significant interaction effect were observed between plant row direction and plants distribution on plant high , L A and L A I .