TOLERANCE OF COMMERCIAL MAIZE HYBRIDS TO HIGH PLANT DENSITY

Abstract

Growing maize (Zea mays L.) at high-plant density using proper genotypes that tolerate high density stress is a new approach to maximize its grain productivity. The objectives of the present study were to: (i) to assess the effects of elevated plant density, genotype and the genotype × plant density interaction on maize traits, (ii) assess plant density tolerance and productivity of 28 Egyptian modern commercial hybrids in order to identify the tolerant and high-yielding ones for future use, (iii) estimate the superiority of density tolerant (T) to sensitive (S) hybrids, (iv) determine the optimum plant density for each of the tested hybrids that gives the highest grain yield per unit area, (v) estimate phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic (GCV) coefficients of variability, heritability and genetic advance from selection for maize traits under elevated plant density and (vi) identify maize selection criteria for high density tolerance.