Effect of Different Soil Types and Plant Densities on Growth Dynamic and Yield of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.) in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Aims: Soils and plant densities are two of the major factors affecting sweet corn growth and yield. Although many worldwide studies were done to evaluate the effect of these factors on sweet corn, it is still necessary to do more study in this area because environmental factors will give significant effect to growth and yield of sweet corn. The objective of this study is to assess yield optimization through different plant densities for different type of soils for sweet corn (Zea mays L.) cultivation. Study Design:  The experiment was carried out from February to May 2018 using split-split plot design with four replications. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with probability value of @ 0.05 using LSD was used to analyze the obtained data. Regression analyses were performed using Nonlinear Regression Model (NLIN Procedure); Logistic Growth Model y=A/(1+be-cx) and their rate of change was calculated using its derivate, dy/dx = (Abce-cx)/(1+be-cx)2. Methodology: A variety of sweet corn seed Akik SC422 at (i) four soils which were riverine soil (Tanah Merah, Kelantan), BRIS (Bachok, Kelantan), peat (Simpang Renggam, Johor) and sedentary soil (UPM, Serdang, Selangor) assigned as the main plots with (ii) 1 and 2 row(s) per bed plant arrangements as subplots at (iii) 25 cm and 50 cm planting distances formed as sub-subplots. Results: Interaction between peat at 2-row per bed plant arrangement at 25 cm planting distance produced the highest potential plant height while peat at 1-row per bed plant arrangement at 50 cm planting distance the best in highest potential in stem diameter. The interaction between peat with 1-row per bed plant arrangement at 50 cm planting distance; low plant density produced the highest in cob weight, cob length, cob diameter, thousand kernel’s weight and total sugar content. This was reflected by higher growth rates of photosynthesis rate, leaf area per plant and relative chlorophyll content of each individually plant. However, the interaction between peat with 2-row per bed plant arrangement at 25 cm planting distance; high plant density produced the highest in quantity per hectare. Conclusion: Results of this study confirms that significant differences in the plant growth, physiological attributes and yield components of sweet corn grown on different soil types, plant arrangements and planting distances.