Yield of corn (Zea mays Linn.) as affected by different timing of detopping under organic culture

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Experimental Area of the Agriculture Department, College of Agriculture and Forestry, Capiz State University, Burias Campus from November 6, 2014 to February 14, 2015. The study aimed to find out the yield of corn plant as affected by different timing of detopping under organic culture. Four experimental treatments were tested using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. The different treatments included: Treatment A- 70 days after planting, Treatment B- 80 days after planting, Treatment C- 90 days after planting, Treatment D- no detopping (control). The data gathered for yield were diameter of ear, length of ears, number of marketable ears, number of non- marketable ears, weight of marketable ears, weight of non-marketable ears, weight of 1000 seeds or kernels, weight of shelled corn and weight of corn tops. All data were subjected to the Analysis of Variance using F-test and were interpreted at 5% and 1% levels of significance. The LSD test was used to determine the difference among treatment means. Results of the study revealed that corn detopped at a given timing of detopping exhibited similar results with plants under no detopping culture in terms of length and diameter of corn ears, number of marketable and non- marketable ears, weight of marketable and non- marketable ears, weight of 1000 seeds or kernels, and weight of shelled corn. Weight of corn tops was influenced by different timing of detopping. Plants detopped at 80 days after planting resulted to heavier corn tops, while detopping done at 70 days and 90 days after planting gave comparable results on the weight of corn tops.