Production components of corn as function of seed distribution along the planting row

Abstract

ABSTRACT High corn yields in high-tech systems are related to proper crop implementation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of variability in the distribution of seeds along the planting row on corn production components. The study was conducted under Cerrado conditions in the municipality of Urutaí, GO, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 5 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replicates. The effects of five coefficients of variation (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80%) of non-uniformity in the spatial distribution of seeds along the planting row of two corn hybrids (P30F53HX and P3646HX) were evaluated. No interactions were observed for the analysed corn variables. However, as the non-uniformity in seed distribution along the planting row increased, stalk diameter, hundred-grain weight, number of rows per ear, number of kernels per row and ear length decreased. Additionally, linear reductions were observed in corn grain yield with the increase in the coefficient of variation of the spatial distribution of seeds along the planting row. Between the hybrids, the 30F53HX showed higher hundred-grain weight.