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Performance of prolific and nonprolific maize hybrids under reduced-input and high-input cropping systems

Previous research indicated that prolific (multi-ear) maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids might perform better than nonprolific (single-ear) hybrids under lower-yielding environments. Field experiments were conducted during 1996-1999 to evaluate the agronomic responses of 10 maize hybrids differing in ear prolificacy under reduced-input and high-input cropping systems. Hybrids were of similar maturity (FAO 400) and divided into two prolificacy groups (prolific versus nonprolific), each consisting of five hybrids. The reduced-input system consisted of plowing at 20-22 cm ; fertilization at 105, 104, and 104 kg ha- 1 N, P2O5, and K2O ; 37-38 000 plants ha- 1 ; and low input of herbicide. The high-input system involved plowing at 30-32 cm ; fertilization at 213, 130, and 130 kg ha- 1 N, P2O5, and K2O ; 60-65 000 plants ha- 1 ; and high input of herbicides. Grain yields significantly decreased under reduced-input compared to high-input cropping system by an average of 26.1%. Significant cropping system×prolificacy group interactions were found for most yield components but not for grain yields. This indicated that both prolificacy groups exhibited a similar yield decrease under the reduced-input system even though prolific hybrids had 1.33 ears per plant compared to only 1.01 ears per plant of nonprolific types. All prolific hybrids responded similarly to various cropping input levels principally by means of changes in kernels per plant, whereas some nonprolific hybrids had greater response through 1000-kernel weight then kernels per plant. Prolific hybrids tended to achieve higher grain yields which averaged 10 414 kg ha- 1 compared to 9383 kg ha- 1 for nonprolific types partly due to less barren plants per hectare and primarily because of a higher grain weight per plant. Larger grain weights per plant of prolific hybrids were primary due to more kernels per plant in the reduced-input system, and a combined effect of more kernels and heavier 1000-kernel weight per plant in the high-input system. Improved kernel number per plant for prolific hybrids was associated with kernels from secondary ears. Although prolific hybrids outyielded nonprolific types, our findings failed to indicate that the prolificacy trait per se had any important effect on hybrid performance when grown under reduced-input compared to high-input cropping system.

maize; prolificacy; hybrid; cropping systems; grain yield; yield components

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