VARIATION OF SOME BIOMETRIC PARAMETERS IN CORN EARS IN RELATION TO PLANT STATUS

Abstract

The study evaluated the variability of some plants and ears parameters in maize, and the possibility of estimating the productivity elements at the ear level depending on the plants status parameters. The study was done in the area of Sanmihaiu Roman, Timis County, Romania. The maize hybrid DKC 5075 was cultivated in a non-irrigated system, with an appropriate culture technology. The number of leaves during the vegetation period (Ln-v), the number of leaves at harvest (Ln-h) was evaluated, and the height of the plants (Ph) and the diameter of the plant stem (Pd) were also determined. Determinations were made regarding the length of the ear (El), the diameter of the ear (Ed), the weight of the ear (Ew) and the number of grains per ear (Gn). In the climatic conditions specific to the agricultural year 2021 - 2022, the variability recorded, based on the coefficient of variation (CV) at the level of the studied parameters, was: CV_Ph=30.4824 for plant height; CV_Pd=9.8659 for the diameter of the plant stem; CV_Ln-v=13.2348 for the number of leaves in vegetation; CV_Ln-v=23.1179 for the number of leaves at harvest; CV_El=12.3450 for the length of the ear; CV_Ed=10.9924 for the diameter of the ear; CV_Ew=23.5464 for the weight of the ear; CV_Gn=17.5084 for the number of grains per ear. Different correlations were recorded between parameters studied at the level of plants and maize ears. Interdependence relationships between the studied parameters were described by linear equations (e.g. Ew in relation to Ed) and polynomial equations (e.g. Ew in relation to Gn). The Ew variation was estimated in relation to Ph and Ln-v according to R²=0.713 (Multiple R=0.845), and in relation to Pd and Ln-v according to R²=0.730 (Multiple R=0.854). The variation of Gn was estimated in relation to Ph and Ln-v according to R²=0.856 (Multiple R=0.925). 3D models and as isoquants were obtained to graphically described the variation of the weight of the ears (Ew) and the number of grains (Gn) in relation to the considered parameters of the plants.