Abstract

GARCIA-HERNANDEZ, Gustavo et al. Morphological and physiological components of corn yield in response to density and date of sowing in Toluca. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2025, vol.16, n.4, e3708.  Epub Sep 30, 2025. ISSN 2007-0934.  https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v16i4.3708.

Grain yield in corn is a function of the genotype, agronomic management, and environmental conditions where it is grown. This research aimed to study the impact of sowing date and plant density on grain yield and its components in four corn genotypes for the High Valleys of Mexico. The experiment was conducted in the Toluca Valley during the spring-summer cycle of 2022. The evaluation considered two three-way cross hybrids: Faisán® and Cherokee®, and two native cultivars: Nativo Blanco and Amarillo Zanahoria, under four plant densities: 50 000, 60 000, 70 000 and 80 000 plants ha-1, on three sowing dates in March, April, and May. In each sowing date, a randomized complete block design was used, with four replications. The results showed the highest grain yield, 6.7 t ha-1, in the May sowing, supported by an increase in biomass, harvest index, number of grains per m2, number of grains per ear of corn, and plant height. Of the four genotypes assessed, the Faisán hybrid presented the highest grain yield, which was associated with a higher number of grains per m2. The increase in plant density increased grain yield with 80 000 plants ha-1, which was explained by a higher number of ears of corn per m2. The interaction of date x cultivar x density revealed the highest grain yield, 8.3 t ha-1, in the May sowing with the Nativo Blanco cultivar and a density of 80 000 plants ha-1.

Keywords : Zea mays L.; plant density; sowing date..

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