Feeding a growing population in sub tropics and tropics with maize planted at a high(er) population density
Material type:
TextPublication details: 2013Description: 1 pageSummary: Population growth and adverse environmental conditions curtailing crop yields are endangering food security in the tropics and subtropics. To maintain food security, agriculture in areas with a high production potential will have to be intensified. We aimed to assess if grain yield per area (GYPA) in (sub)tropical germplasm could be increased by increasing planting density. We evaluated 8 adapted tropical hybrids in Kenya (6 from CIMMYT) and Mexico (8) in a factorial combination of 2 fertilization levels (optimum, nitrogen deficient fertilization) and 4 (Mexico) and 3 (Kenya) planting densities ranging from 5-11 plants m-2. Under optimum conditions GYPA on average increased by 48% when planting density was increased from 5 to 11 plants m-2 attaining GYPA as high as 10.9 and 7.6 t ha-1 in Mexico and Kenya, respectively. Under nitrogen deficient conditions GYPA was increased in Kenya (average GYPA of 4.4 t ha-1) by 41% while no increases in GYPA were observed in Mexico (3.3t ha-1). Increases in GYPA were caused by increases in biomass per area (BMA; HN: r = 0.95; LN: r = 0.84) and the number of ears per area (EPA; r = 0.90; r = 0.72) increasing source capacity and sink potential, respectively. BMA (+83%; +42%) and EPA (+96%; +86%) increased with increasing planting density. We validated results obtained in CIMMYT germplasm in a broad set of 66 commercial (sub)tropical maize hybrids marketed in Mexico at a planting density of 6.6 and 11 plants m-2. Most entries showed increased GYPA as a result of increased planting density. Cultivation of maize hybrids at higher densities than are currently used by farmers is a promising route to increased productivity in (sub)-tropical maize germplasm.
| Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conference proceedings | CIMMYT Knowledge Center: John Woolston Library | CIMMYT Staff Publications Collection | CIS-7513 (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available |
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Abstract only
Population growth and adverse environmental conditions curtailing crop yields are endangering food security in the tropics and subtropics. To maintain food security, agriculture in areas with a high production potential will have to be intensified. We aimed to assess if grain yield per area (GYPA) in (sub)tropical germplasm could be increased by increasing planting density. We evaluated 8 adapted tropical hybrids in Kenya (6 from CIMMYT) and Mexico (8) in a factorial combination of 2 fertilization levels (optimum, nitrogen deficient fertilization) and 4 (Mexico) and 3 (Kenya) planting densities ranging from 5-11 plants m-2. Under optimum conditions GYPA on average increased by 48% when planting density was increased from 5 to 11 plants m-2 attaining GYPA as high as 10.9 and 7.6 t ha-1 in Mexico and Kenya, respectively. Under nitrogen deficient conditions GYPA was increased in Kenya (average GYPA of 4.4 t ha-1) by 41% while no increases in GYPA were observed in Mexico (3.3t ha-1). Increases in GYPA were caused by increases in biomass per area (BMA; HN: r = 0.95; LN: r = 0.84) and the number of ears per area (EPA; r = 0.90; r = 0.72) increasing source capacity and sink potential, respectively. BMA (+83%; +42%) and EPA (+96%; +86%) increased with increasing planting density. We validated results obtained in CIMMYT germplasm in a broad set of 66 commercial (sub)tropical maize hybrids marketed in Mexico at a planting density of 6.6 and 11 plants m-2. Most entries showed increased GYPA as a result of increased planting density. Cultivation of maize hybrids at higher densities than are currently used by farmers is a promising route to increased productivity in (sub)-tropical maize germplasm.
Global Maize Program
English
Lucia Segura
INT3300|INT2825|INT3035