Effect of planting density on yield of maize, zea mays l., "chococito"

Efecto de la densidad de siembra en el cultivo de maíz “chococito”, (Zea mays L.)

Maize, Zea mays L. "chococito" is a native Colombian Pacific ecotype, ancestrally planted by Chocoes Tribes; its yield potential is not known due to, among other things. the usual form of planting by spreading the seed over the brush, with no technical management of the crop until harvest with unfavorable results for the people of the region and food security. Therefore, in the immediate vicinity of Buenaventura and under conditions of low hills, the performance of " chococito corn " sown in rows compared to the traditional broadcast seeding system was evaluated. Stocking densities were 40, 50 and 60 x 103 plants.ha-1. In the onbtained population with the density of 40 x 103 plants. ha-', significantly higher performance and greater plant height compared to broadcast seeding was observed. It was concluded that the relation soil-plant planting in rows arrangement allowed better spatial distribution, promoting a greater proportion of plants with cobs and these, in turn, more number of grains, leading to higher performance.