Optimization of seeding density for maize grown in rainfed and irrigated systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33158/ASB.r274.v12.2026Keywords:
Zea mays L, crop management, intraspecific competition, maximum technical efficiency, plant arrangement, water use efficiency, productivity per plant, tolerance to abiotic stresses, response to inputs, ears per area, grains per earAbstract
The study aimed to evaluate the influence of maize seeding density on agronomic components and yield across two production environments: one irrigated and one rainfed. Two experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design with five seeding densities (60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 thousand seeds ha⁻¹) and four replications, utilizing the DKB 230 VT PRO3 hybrid. Yield components and grain yield were analyzed, and the data were subjected to analysis of variance as well as linear and quadratic regression. The results showed a significant interaction between environment and density for most of the analyzed variables. Increasing density led to a reduction in several yield components, particularly in the rainfed environment, where ear length, hundred-grain weight, and the number of grains per ear decreased. In contrast, the irrigated environment exhibited greater stability in agronomic components and a higher capacity to support increased plant populations. The densities yielding the highest grain yield were 94.71 thousand seeds ha⁻¹ for the irrigated system and 82.19 thousand seeds ha⁻¹ for the rainfed system, demonstrating that density management should be adjusted according to the environment's water availability.
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