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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Maize yield and photosynthetic physiological characteristics under high density planting

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14139
Submitted
17 February 2026
Published
31-08-2026

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of high density and nutrient management practices on physiology, nutrient uses and productivity of maize during 2017 and 2018. This study was carried out by using cultivar Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) maize hybrid CO H (M) 6. Treatments include control, combinations of four plant populations (66666, 74074, 83333 and 133333 plants ha-1) with different fertiliser doses (100 %, 125 %, 150 % and 200 % recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF)). The results showed that the control (66666 plants ha-1 with 100 % RDF) significantly increased the photosynthesis rate and light interception of maize. Irrespective of plant density, the soil plant analysis development (SPAD) value increased with increasing nutrient doses, whereas nutrient use efficiencies decreased. Grain and stover yield of maize were higher under the highest plant density (133333 plants ha-1) and nutrient level (200 % RDF). An increase of 34.81 % and 36.62 % in grain yield was recorded with this treatment compared with the control in 2017 and 2018, respectively. These findings indicate that, to meet the increasing demand for maize driven by a growing human population and to enhance productivity under high-density cultivation, a plant population of 133333 plants ha-1 with 200 % RDF is a viable option under irrigated conditions.

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