Effects of sowing date on the growth and yield of maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) in spring season

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of date of sowing on grain yield of spring maize at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Regional Research station, Karnal during the year 2015, 2016 and 2017. Seven maize hybrids (HQPM 1, HQPM 4, HQPM 5, HM 9, HM 10, HM 11 and HM 12) were tested with combination of five sowing dates (last week of January, first week of February, second week of February, third week of February and fourth week of February). The delayed planting led to decreased days to 50 per cent silking and maturity in maize. The highest grain yield, returns over variable cost and B: C ratio were obtained when the crop sown in the first week of February followed by the last week of January, second week of February, third week of February and fourth week of February. The crop duration reduced to 114.3 from 126.4 days when crop planted in fourth week of February compared to planting in last week of January. The hybrid HM 10 gave the highest grain yield, returns over variable cost and B: C ratio followed by HM 11, HQPM 4 and HQPM 1. Thus, growing of HM 10 and planting in First week of February is the best option for higher yield and profit from spring maize in Haryana.