The effects of seed priming, planting date and density on the silage yield of corn (Zea mays L.) in summer delayed sowing

Abstract

To determine the effects of seed priming, date and density of planting on the silage yield of corn (Ks.c704 cultivar) in summer delayed planting, an experiment was carried out as a split-split plot in a randomized complete block design with four replications in 2015 and 2016. Treatments were examined including two planting dates (July 27 and August 13) as main plots, two planting densities (7 and 9 plants per m2) as sub plots and four levels of seed priming (without priming, distilled water, 0.5% KNO3 and 10% PEG(8000)) as sub-sub plots. The results showed maximum of the speed and percentage of seedling emergence at the first year. The number of days decreased from planting date until 8- and 12- leaf stages in seed priming by the distilled water method. The silage yield decreased (26.69%) with the late planting (13 August), but the speed of seedling emergence increased. The planting density (9 plants/m2) yielded the highest percentage of lignin, speed of seedling emergence, plant height and silage yield. The highest ratio of the ear fresh weight to the total silage weight was obtained by the late planting date (13 August) and seed priming with the PEG method. The maximum value of the silage yield (45,566.41 kg/ha) was produced by the early planting date (27 July) and higher planting density (9 plants/m2). Thus, to increase seedling emergence speed and to obtain maximum silage yield, early planting date (27 July), higher planting density (9 plants/m2) and seed priming by the distilled water method are recommended.