GRAIN YIELD AND YIELD ATTRIBUTING TRAITS OF MAIZE GENOTYPES UNDER DIFFERENT PLANTING DATES

Abstract

Winter planting of maize in Inner Tarai region of Nepal is affected by planting dates. This experiment was to evaluate the yield performance of maize varieties under various panting dates. The experiment was conducted in factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in which eight treatments consisted of different combinations of two maize varieties (S03TEY-FM and RML-95/RML-96) and four planting dates (4th, 14th, and 24th September and 4th October). The results showed that the effect of planting dates on grain yield was highly significant. Similarly, the effect of varieties on grain yield was significant. Moreover, the interaction effect of them was significant. The earlier planting of maize varieties (September 4) produced the higher grain yield than later planting (October 4). Therefore, maize varieties should be planted in early September during winter season for achieving higher production.