Improvement of elements of agricultural technology for growing new hybrids of corn in the conditions of the central Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Abstract

Goal. To determine the features of yield formation of innovative corn hybrids depending on genotype, cenosis density, and correlation-regression dependence of these characteristics. Methods. Field, measuring and weighing, calculation and comparison, mathematical and statistical. Results. Research conducted in 2019–2021 showed that the weight of 1,000 grains depended on the hybrid genotype and plant density. In the experiment, all corn hybrids formed the maximum mass of 1,000 grains at a density of 70,000 plants/ha 255 g. Increasing the sowing density to 80,000 plants/ha led to a decrease in the mass of 1,000 grains to 253 g. With an increase in density to 90,000 plants/ha, the mass of 1,000 corn grains was 249 g. At a density of 100,000 plants/ha, the mass of 1,000 corn grains decreased to a maximum of 247 g, or by 3.2%. Among the hybrids, the average weight of 1,000 grains of the mid-ripening hybrid Zedan 32 (FAO 320) was 275 g. The mid-early corn hybrid Zedan 26 (FAO 240) produced the maximum grain yield at a density of 90,000 plants/ha — 12.9 t/ha. The mid-early hybrid Zedan 28 (FAO 260) had the maximum grain yield at the same density — 13.5 t/ha. The medium-ripe hybrid Zedan 32 (FAO 320) had the maximum grain yield (15.2 t/ha) at a density of 80,000 plants/ha. Conclusions. Plant density of corn hybrids of different maturity groups is closely related to productivity. Each maturity group of corn hybrids has an optimal density of plants, at which it is possible to obtain the maximum yield of grain while observing the optimal feeding area of 1 plant. The most productive mid-late hybrid reacted negatively to the thickening of crops. Grain yield also depends on the genotypic response of the corn hybrid to the density of the coenosis in a specific agroecological zone.