Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LXVII, Issue 1
Written by Alina ŞIMON, Felicia CHEŢAN, Adrian CECLAN, Camelia URDĂ, Alin POPA, Nicolae TRITEAN
In order to evaluate the influence of different sowing dates and climatic conditions, on maize yield and quality parameters (protein, fat, starch and moisture), a field polifactorial experiment was carried out in three different years at Research and Development Station for Agriculture (RDSA) Turda. Twelve maize hybrids of different maturity classes were studied using a randomized block design, with three replications, plots of 7 m2, on medium high soil with loam clay texture, pH 6.7. Three factors were analysed in the experiment: the experimental year with three graduation, sowing date with four graduation and maize genotype with 12 graduations. The experiment provided results from four different sowing time, when measured soil temperature was: 4°C, 6°C, 8°C and 10°C, respectively. Each maize hybrid was sowed on 2 rows of 5 m length and 70 cm distance between rows. The results revealed a high influence of sowing date and climatic factors on maize yield and quality. When very early (4°C) and early (6°C) sowing dates were experimented an important decrease in maize yield was obtained compared to optimum or late sowing time.
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