Effect of Variety and Spacing on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Bauchi State, Nigeria
M. U. Sabo
Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria
M. A. Wailare *
Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Nigeria
M. Aliyu
National Open University of Nigeria, Nigeria.
J. Sanusi
Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University teaching and research farm Bauchi state of Nigeria, during the 2013 rainy season, to investigate the effect of variety and intra-row spacing on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in Bauchi state. The Treatments consist of three varieties of corn (DMR, TZEE and QPM) and three intra-rows spacing (20, 25 and 30 cm). The experiment was laid-out in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. Data was collected on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, number of cobs per plot, cob length, 100 seeds weight and grain yield. The results obtained showed that varieties differ significantly, in which, DMR significantly produced the highest yield, and followed by QPM and TZEE which are similar in yield performance. Intra-row spacing of 25 cm was observed to be significantly (p=0.05) higher than 20 cm and 30 cm spacing in all the characters studied. Based on the results of the study, it may be concluded that DMR variety and 25 cm intra-row spacing proved more promising in the study area.
Keywords: Variety, spacing, yield, maize