EFFECT OF SOWING DATES ON SEED YIELD, QUALITY AND STORABILITY OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) HYBRID
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Date
2014
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ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD
Abstract
Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to know the effect of sowing
dates on seed yield, quality and storability of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid at Seed
Research & Technology Center, Acharya N.G Ranga University, Rajendranagar,
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh during the year 2013-2014. Female (BML 6) and male
(BML 7) parents of DHM 117 were sown at monthly intervals (from June 15th to
September 15th) in 4:1 row ratio in RBD with five replications. Days to 50% pollen
shed (63 days), days to first silking (58 days), days to 50% silking (61 days) were
recorded early for June 15th sowing, while days to first pollen shed was recorded early
for August 15th sowing. Longer tassels (33.6 cm) for June 15th sowing and higher pollen
viability (99.33 %) for September 15th was observed. Both leaf area (cm2) and leaf area
index at 60 DAS (6702.95 cm2, 4.46) and 90 DAS (8589.29 cm2, 5.72) were recorded
maximum for June 15th sowing, while at 30 DAS both leaf area (1441.66 cm2) and leaf
area index (0.96) were recorded maximum for September 15th sowing. Maximum
number of leaves plant-1 at harvesting stage was recorded for June 15th sowing. Taller
plants for both male (179.2 cm) and female (202.9 cm) parents of DHM 117 were
observed for June 15th sowing, while maximum ear height (91.1 cm) was recorded for
July 15th sowing. At 30 DAS (7.58 g) and 60 DAS (105.4 g) dry matter production
plant-1
was recorded maximum for August 15th sowing, while at 90 DAS (322.10 g)
maximum dry matter production plant-1
was recorded maximum for June 15th sowing.
Maximum cob length (21.03 cm) and cob diameter (16.85 cm) were recorded for
June 15th sowing. More number of rows cob-1 was recorded for July 15th sowing, while
number of seeds row-1 (42.99), cob yield plant-1 (255.90 g) and seed yield plant-1
(202.58 g) were recorded maximum for June 15th sowing. Maximum shelling per cent
(80.46%) was recorded for August 15th sowing. Sowing on July 15th recorded
significantly maximum test weight (30.17 g). Seed quality parameters like germination
(100%), shoot length (15.3 cm), root length (16.1 cm), seedling length (31.3 cm),
seedling vigour index I (3130), seedling dry weight (0.25 g), seedling vigour index II
(25.00), field emergence (91.60%) were recorded maximum for July 15th sowing.
Electrical conductivity (0.11 dS m-1) recorded minimum for June 15th sowing.
The analysis of monthly data on seed storage potential after five months
indicated significant influence of storage period on all sowing dates. Marked decline in
germination percentage, seedling dimensions and corresponding vigour index was
noticed over a period of five months. The study also indicated that shoot length was the
most sensitive seed quality parameter affected by ageing due to storage under ambient
conditions. Significantly higher germination (89.6%), shoot length (13.2 cm), root
length (13.6 cm), seedling length (26.8 cm), seedling vigour index I (2400), seedling
dry weight (0.22 g), seedling vigour index II (19.8) were recorded higher for seeds of
July 15th sowing after five months of storage.
From the present investigations, it can be concluded that June 15th sowing was
found ideal for achieving perfect synchronization of female and male parents and also
to obtain higher seed yield besides realizing good quality produce with high
germination and vigour. Further, hybrid seed of DHM 117 could be stored safely in jute
bags up to 3 months.
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Keywords
SOWING, DATES, SEED YIELD, QUALITY, STORABILITY, MAIZE, HYBRID