Yield of Popcorn varieties in different population densities in the Valles Altos region of Mexico

Abstract

Objective: the objective of this study was to determine the grain productivity of four Mexican varieties of popcorn maize (Palomero UNAM, Puma Palomero, Palomero Oro and Palomero Unamita) under three population densities. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: during the Spring-Summer 2020 agricultural cycle, these four varieties were evaluated in two different environments and three population densities were used: 50, 65 and 80 thousand plants per hectare. The experimental design used was completely randomized blocks, with a factorial arrangement of treatments and four replications. Results: the results showed that the population densities of 65 and 80 plants ha-1 were statistically equal with yields of 6340 and 6357 kg ha-1, but significantly different to the density of 50 thousand plants per hectare. As for the varieties, Palomero Unamita and Palomero Oro showed yields of 6809 and 6625 kg ha-1. Study limitations/ Implications: it is important to note that is necessary to continue the evaluation of these varieties in different years and environments to obtain more solid and generalizable results. Findings/ Conclusions: based on the results obtained in terms of yield, yield components and outstanding vegetative traits, it can be concluded that there are favorable perspectives for the commercial use of the popcorn varieties evaluated in this study.