Abstract:

By analyzing the response of ear traits and yield of spring sown maize to different planting densities in southern Xinjiang, this study explored the planting density suitable for southern Xinjiang, providing theoretical support for high-yield spring sown corn in southern Xinjiang. 'Tianyu 1885' was used as the test material, six planting densities were set in the plain area and the cool area of southern Xinjiang, to study the optimal density of maize cultivation in 2 different climatic regions. The density in the plain area was 90000 plants/hm², the bald tip rate and empty rod rate in the field were the lowest, at 7.5% and 1.9%, respectively. The number of panicle rows, 1000-grain weight and yield were higher than other treatments, which were 17.8 rows, 348.7 g and 15246 kg/hm², respectively. Under the densities of 75000 plants/hm² and 82500 plants/hm² treatments, spike length, number of grains in row, number of grains per spike and single rod spike weight were higher, but the effective panicle number was low, the yield was only 13232 kg/hm² and 14859 kg/hm². In the treatments with densities of 97500 plants/hm², 105000 plants/hm² and 112500 plants/hm², although the number of effective ears in the field was the highest, bald tip rate, bald tip length, empty rod rate, single rod spike weight, thousand grain weight were lower, the yields were only 14529 kg/hm², 13394 kg/hm² and 12282 kg/hm². When the density of cold area was 105000 plants/hm², spike length, grain number per spike, single rod spike weight and grain number per spike were higher than other treatments, the yield was outstanding at 17997 kg/hm². Under the treatment of 82500 plants/hm², 90000 plants/hm² and 97500 plants/hm², the bald tip length, empty stalk ratio and effective spike number were lower than other treatments, although the thousand grain weight was higher, the yields were not high at 13908 kg/hm², 14429 kg/hm² and 15825 kg/hm². Under the treatments with densities of 112500 plants/hm² and 120000 plants/hm², although the effective number of spikes was higher, the spike length, single rod spike weight and thousand kernel weight were lower, resulting in unimpressive yields of 16581 kg/hm² and 15714 kg/hm². When the density of the plain area was 90000 plants /hm² and the density of the cool area was 105000 plants/hm², corn can give full play to the developmental potential of the individual, ensure the number of ears harvested by the group, harmonize the relationship between the group and the individual, and easily obtain higher yields.

Key words: planting density, corn, southern Xinjiang, spikelet trait, yield