Studies of growth, yield attributes and yield of rabi maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2019-20 at College of Agriculture, Teerthanker Mahaveer University (Moradabad) Uttar Pradesh. The experiment comprised of 18 maize genotypes and layout in randomized block design with three replications. Data were recorded on plant height, leaf area, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes and yield per plant. The results showed significant variations in maize genotypes in all the growth and growth indices. Genotype sweet corn-1 (172 cm) produced significantly tallest plant and more number of leaves. Maximum leaf area was found in sweet corn-1 (2790.63 cm2) and lowest in CIMMYT-80 (2050.64 cm2). The highest dry matter accumulation was recorded at harvest stage and was found highest in Sweet corn-1 (299.9 g/plant) which was significantly at par with DMR-782 (298.4 g/plant), sweet corn-7 (286.7 g/plant), G 9108 (285.4 g/plant) and pop corn-1 (281.58 g/plant) and it was lowest in CIMMYT-80 (250.75 g/plant). Maximum number (2.5 cob/plant), more number of grains per cob (208.90 grains/cob) were noted by maize genotype Sweet corn-1 Sweet corn-1 while genotype CIMMYT-80 recorded less number of cob/plant and number of grains per cob. The maximum yield was obtained in sweet corn-1 (52.70 g/plant) followed by DMR-782 (51.90 g/plant) and lowest yield was recorded in CIMMYT-80 (47.40 g/plant). Sweet corn-1 were boldest among genotypes tested while minimum seed weight was recorded in CIMMYT-782. The harvest index of maize genotypes varied from 19.96% in sweet corn-1 to 17.35% in CIMMYT-80.