Selection of Weeding Method and Plant Density in Maize (Zea mays L.) Based on Morphological and Physiological Characteristics

Aims: Maize is annual plant of the Poaceae, which, with a relatively short growth period and high yield, is ranked second in the world in terms of production after wheat. Choosing the most suitable different planting densities and weeding methods can have a favorable effect on increasing the yield of corn plants.

Study Design: To investigate the traits and choose the most appropriate planting density and weeding method in maize (Zea mays L.) using graphic methods, a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design was conducted in three replications.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Shahre-Rey region in 2020-2021.

Methodology: The hybrid cultivated in the SC647 experiment was selected. Each test plot included four cultivation lines with a width of 75 cm and a length of 4 meters. The experimental land was fallow the year before maize cultivation, which was prepared by spring plowing and disk operations.

Results: Based on the analysis of variance, the effect of planting density in all traits except the thousand seed weight trait and the effect of weeding stages in all traits except the trait number of rows in the cob showed a significant difference at the probability level of 0.01. Based on the means comparison of D3W3, D1W3 and D3W2 were selected as suitable treatments. Based on the correlation intensity map between the traits, the highest correlation intensity was estimated for the ear length trait with the plant height and the grain yield trait with the harvest index. The grouping diagram of the treatments formed four groups based on the first and second main components that justified 50.45% of the total variance of the data. Based on the polygon graph, treatments D2W3, D1W3, D3W2, D3W3, D1W1 and D1W2 were identified as the best treatments. Based on the cluster analysis diagram and heat map drawn on the experiment data, the treatments were divided into two main groups.

Conclusion: In general, by reviewing all the analyzes performed on the experiment data, D3W3 (density of 85,000 plants per hectare and no weeding) and D3W2 (density of 85,000 plants and two stages of weeding 4 to 8 weeks after planting) can be used for maize cultivation.