Influence of Maize (Zea mays L.) Density on Morpho-Physiological and Yield Parameters in Bali, North West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the morpho-physiological and yield response of maize (Zea mays L.) variety as influenced by different plant density in Bali Nyonga, North West Region of Cameroon. The fives treatments (intra-row spacing) were: Treatment 1 (T1 = 15 cm ≈ 95200 plants/ha), Treatment 2 (T2 = 20 cm ≈ 71400 plants/ha), Treatment 3 (T3 = 25 cm ≈ 57100 plants/ha), Treatment 4 (T4 = 30 cm ≈ 47600 plants/ha) and Treatment 5 (T5 = 35 cm ≈ 40100 plants/ha). The treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Commercial NPK (20:10:10) fertilizer was used twice in the course of the study. This experiment was done in Bali Nyonga, a village located in Bali sub- Division, North West Region of Cameroon. This research was conducted in 2014 from March to July. There were four blocks, each with a surface area of 38.2 m2. Each block was divided into five raised beds. Each bed measured 300 cm x 40 cm. The peak of each bed was separated from the adjacent bed by 70 cm. The blocks were separated by a gap of 1.5 m. Each bed contained a treatment (intra-row spacing). Maize seed were sown per the intra-row spacing on the 20th on March 2014 after two consecutive heavy rain falls. Two fertilizer applications were made in the experiment; on the day of sowing and four weeks after emergence. Data was collected on physiological, morphological and yield parameters. SPSS ver. 23 was used for all analysis. Results indicated that different intra-row spacing influenced morpho-physiological (plant emergence, plant height, stem diameter, senescence, lodging leaf area index, plant vigour), and yield (number and weight of cobs at harvest) parameters of maize. The highest plant emergence and plant height was recorded from treatment 1 (P = .05). There was an inverse proportion between plant density stem diameter, plant vigour and leaf area index (P = .05). The number of cobs increased with plant density. The highest mean number of cobs at harvest was 12.8 for treatment 1 (P = .05). The highest mean weight of cobs harvested was from treatment 3 and treatment 2 (P = .05). There was also a strong regression (R2 = 0.792, P < .043). From the findings of this experiment maize density significantly influenced agronomic and yield parameters of maize. Farmers are recommended to use treatment 3 and treatment 2 for optimal growth and yield.