Influence of contrasting canopy architecture on yield of maize hybrids

The yield and productivity of maize is influenced by several factors of which the orientation of canopy in time and space is a crucial one. A field study was undertaken at Agronomic Research Area, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan during autumn 2015 to compare the impact of contrasting canopy architecture on yield and yield components of maize hybrids. Two maize hybrids with contrasting canopy architecture viz., Pioneer 30Y87 (semi-erect canopy) and Monsanto’s DK6789 (droopy canopy architecture) were sown in 75 cm spaced ridges. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (split-plot arrangement) with three replications. Data on yield attributes of maize were recorded following standard procedures. Differences among treatments’ means were compared using Tukey’s honest significant difference test (HSD) at 5% probability level. Results revealed that there were significant differences among hybrids regarding the number of grains per cob, the 1000-grain weight and ultimately the yield of maize crop. Almost all of the parameters were significantly affected by Hybrid 30Y87 and it attained the grain yield. This was due to its better light attenuating properties and the shading effect of its canopy which helped in suppressing the weeds growing underneath.