The influence of date of sowing on development and yield of maize in England

Abstract

SummaryResults are reported of twelve experiments—over a period of 11 years—on the effects of date of sowing on development and yield of maize at the Oxford University Field Station, Wytham. Information was obtained on 14 varieties, representative of the range of types likely to be considered for commercial cultivation in England, and sowing dates ranged from mid-March until the end of June.All varieties gave excellent emergence from May and June sowings but, from sowings made in March or early in April, some American varieties (e.g. White Horsetooth, Wisconsin 255) were slower and poorer in emergence than varieties of northern European origin. For northern European varieties emergence exceeded 70% from March sowings and approached 90% from mid-April sowings. Sowing date markedly affected speed of emergence. More than 40 days elapsed from March sowings until mean date of emergence; about 25 days from mid-April sowings; 18 days from late April sowings and 8–9 days from late May or June sowings.Plants from sowings made in March or early in April were not significantly earlier or more productive than plants from sowings made in late April. For grain production, however, any further delay in sowing time usually led to lower yields, even with the earliest varieties tested. In contrast, final production of dry material from the shoot was higher, on average, from mid-May sowings.Provided growth was not arrested by autumn frosts before flowering was completed, plants from later sowings were taller and had more leaves than plants from earlier sowings. The causes of these changes in plant development following variations in sowing date are discussed in the light of published information on the effects of temperature and of length of day on growth of maize.The practical conclusion drawn from the experiments is that the end of April is an appropriate time to sow maize in central and southern England. No further delay is warranted for grain production. The effect of sowing date on the value of fodder or silage maize requires further information.