Effects Of Irrigation Regimes And Planting Density On Grain Yield And Some Agronomic Traits Of Corn

In order to study the effects of different irrigation regimes and planting density on yield and agronomic traits of corn, an experiment was carried out in Research Farm of Orzoiyeh in kerman Agicultural Research Center for two years (1998-99). A split-splite plot randomized complete block design with 18 treatments and four replications were used. The irrigation treatments were assigned to main plots(irrigation after 75 mm irrigation after 100 mm irrigation after 125 mm, from class A pan). Row spaces were assigned to sub plot(60 and 75 cm) and plant spaces to sub-sub plot (15, 20 and 25 cm). Results showed that the grain yield among irrigation regimes, row spacing and plant spacing were significantly different. Among irrigation regimes, treatment of irrigation after 75 mm had the highest and treatment of irrigation after 125 mm had the lowest grain yield. By increasing the planting density, kernel/ ear, ear length and kernel protein percent decreased, but grain yield increased. Highest grain yield obtained in 111100 and 88800 plant/ha, respectively. The effect of irrigation regimes and planting density (row space and plant space) on harvest index was not significant, and this index was about, 52%. In this study water use efficiency increased with increase in planting density and water stresses. Based on the results of this study, the second irrigation regime for period of the first three months and the third irragation regime for the last month of corn growth period and planting density of 88 and 111 thousand plants per hectare, (combinations of 75 × 15 and 60× 15 cm) could be recommended for Orzoiyeh region.