Higher density increases corn productivity in Rio de Janeiro.

Increasing planting density increases productivity. corn In the North and Northwest of Rio de Janeiro state, research conducted by the State University of Northern Rio de Janeiro Darcy Ribeiro (UENF) evaluated eight hybrids under four plant populations and identified higher grain yields in denser planting arrangements. The best average performance occurred near 100 plants per hectare.

The trials took place in Campos dos Goytacazes and Itaocara. The study compared five hybrids developed by UENF and three commercial materials. The densities tested ranged from 50 to 100 plants per hectare. The analysis showed a significant effect of density on ear length and diameter, 100-grain weight, and productivity.

The overall average yield reached 4.814 kg per hectare. The highest density averaged 5.037 kg per hectare, higher than the lowest population arrangement, which averaged 4.234 kg per hectare. Intermediate densities of 66.667 and 83.333 plants per hectare also sustained high yields, with no statistically significant difference compared to the highest density.

The increase in population reduced individual morphological characteristics, such as ear size and grain weight. Even so, the larger number of plants compensated for these losses and increased production per area. The response followed a quadratic model, with an optimum point close to 100 plants per hectare.

Among the hybrids, UENF 506-16 led in average productivity in both environments, with 6.120 kg per hectare. In Campos dos Goytacazes, this material reached 5.384 kg per hectare. In Itaocara, BM 3061 registered 7.118 kg per hectare.

The interaction between genotype and density did not show significance for productivity. The result indicates a consistent response of the hybrids to increased planting density, regardless of the material. The environment influenced performance, with higher productivities in Itaocara.

The study was developed by Vivane ML Gonçalves, Izaias R. da Silva Jr., Renato S. Catarina, Jocarla A. Crevelari, and Messias G. Pereira.

Further information at doi.org/10.3390/crops5060090