The Influence of Sowing Dates on the Growth and Yield of Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties Cultivated under Southern Guinea Savannah Agro-Ecological Zone

Abstract

Maize requires optimum growth conditions to express its genetic potential. Evaluating maize under different sowing dates provides a novel strategy of improving its productivity. To achieve this, a field study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi during 2012 cropping season to determine the effect of different sowing dates on the growth and yield of maize. Makurdi is located under the Southern Guinea Savannah Agro-ecological Zone. Two maize varieties, TZESR-Y and QPM were obtained from the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Science, University of Agriculture, Makurdi and evaluated under three different sowing dates (4th May, 18th May and 1st June, 2012). The factors were arranged in a 2x3 factorial style laid in a randomised complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on morphological parameters and subjected to analysis of variance. The result showed that sowing date had significant effect on number of leaves/plant, ear girth and grain yield. Early sowing had significant and positive effect on grain yield. The interaction effect of variety and sowing date was significant for plant height, number of leaves/plant and grain yield. Delayed sowing to 18 May and 1 June resulted in significant reduction of grain yield from 130.67 kg/plot to 127.18 kg/plot in QPM and 126.67 to 125 kg/plot in TZESR-Y. QPM when sown on 4 May gave the highest grain yield compared to when sowing was delayed to May 18 and June 1. This result implies that May 4 sowing date appears to provide the optimum conditions for maize cultivation under Southern Guinea Savannah agro-ecological Zone.