Mahesh KumarGoyal, Mohit2023-12-122023-12-122022Goyal, Mohit (2022). Performance of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids in relation to sowing dates and planting density (Unpublished M.Sc. thesis). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810202774The field experiment entitled “Performance of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids in relation to sowing dates and planting density” was conducted at the research farm, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana and research farm, ICAR- IIMR, Ladhowal during Kharif 2021. The soil at the experimental field of PAU, Ludhiana is loamy sand and IIMR, Ladhowal is sandy loam had normal pH, electrical conductivity and organic carbon levels. Soil in PAU, Ludhiana was medium in available N and K content and high in available P content and soil in IIMR, Ladhowal was low in available N, high in available P and K content. The field experiment was comprised of 24 treatment combinations with eight main plot treatments that consist dates of sowing (1 June, 15 June, 30 June and 15 July) and two Planting density [67.5 × 18 cm (82305 plants ha-1)] and [67.5 × 15 cm (98765 plants ha-1)] and three hybrids (JH 19014, JH 17011 and PMH 13) were kept as sub plot treatments. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. Among different dates of sowing, 1 June recorded significantly higher growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves per plant, dry matter accumulation) of kharif maize as compared to 30 June and 15 July sowing and remains statistically at par with 15 June sowing. However, in case of yield attributes significantly higher value was recorded under 15 June sowing as compared to 30 June and 15 July and remains statistically at par with 1 June sowing. 15 June recorded maximum grain yield of 6583 kg ha-1 at PAU, Ludhiana and 6387 kg ha-1 at IIMR, Ladhowal which was statistically at par with 1 June sowing (6313 kg ha-1 at PAU, Ludhiana and 6138 kg ha-1 at IIMR, Ladhowal) but was significantly higher than that recorded under 30 June and 15 July sowing. Planting density significantly effect grain yield. Maize under planting density of 67.5 × 15 cm (98765 plants ha-1) recorded higher grain yield of 5.8 per cent and 8.8 per cent (PAU, Ludhiana and IIMR, Ladhowal) in comparison to plant density of 67.5 × 18 cm (82305 plants ha-1). Among the different hybrids, JH 19014 and JH 17011 produced better growth and yield attributes as compared to PMH 13. JH 19014 recorded highest grain yield but was statistically at par with JH 17011 while PMH 13 recorded a significantly lower yield. Maize hybrids (JH 19014, JH 17011 and PMH 13) responded similar to different dates of sowing (1 June, 15 June, 30 June and 15 July) and planting densities (82305 plants ha-1 and 98765 plants ha-1).EnglishThesis