The productivity of the lines — the parent components of corn hybrids depending on the irrigation methods and plant density in the Southern Steppe

Abstract

Goal. To determine the effect of method of irrigation and plant density on growth, development, and yield of seed lines of corn, which are the parental components of the innovative hybrids. Methods. Field, laboratory, comparison, generalization. The study had been carried out during 2016–2018. Results. It is established that the main factor influencing the duration of the period «germination — flowering» of lines of corn was the ripening group. The duration of the period increased from 49 (in early-maturing lines) to 62 days (in late-maturing lines). The plant density was quite an effective factor influencing the timing of the flowering of female inflorescences. The greatest reaction to the thickening was observed in the mid, medium late and late maturing lines from FAO 380–500. This reaction of the lines to stand can be used in hybridization areas for the synchronization of the flowering of parental components of hybrids. It is established that drip irrigation promotes the formation of a higher grain yield of corn. Compared with sprinkler irrigation, the yield increase due to drip irrigation was 0.56 t/ha or 12.1%. The highest increase in seed yield was fixed for lines FAO 300–500 (from 0.88 to 1.18 t/ha). The parent line DK445 (FAO 420), on average for the period of the research, proved to be the most productive one — the average seed yield made 5.79 t/ha. Conclusions. The specific reaction is fixed of lines on the density of cenosis. For each parent form, there is an optimum plant density that should be considered in areas of hybridization to obtain the maximum yield of seeds. The obtained results show that for the planning seed production lines of corn, which are the parental components of hybrids, it is necessary to take into account their genotypic features, the reaction on the density of the growing and irrigation method.