Effect of sowing date on the plant-to-plant morphological traits uniformity of the single-cross hybrid PARDI of corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

This study was carried out during 2016 growing season at the experimental station of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tripoli. The aim was to determine the influence of  sowing date on the plant-to-plant morphological traits uniformity of the single-cross hybrid PARDI of corn (Zea mays L.). Seeds were planted in two sowing dates (25 April and 25 May 2016) with three replications. After maturity was reached, 15 plants were sampled from each replicate and totally 45 plants per each sowing date. Traits of: plant height, stem diameter, stem dry weight, number of leaves, leaves dry weight, length and width of higher and middle leaves and tassel dry weight for each plant were measured. Data analysis of traits was carried out for each sowing date separately. Mean, standard deviation, standard error, variance, coefficient of variation and Z value were used to measure the variability significance among the plants compared to the hypothetical mean for each trait. Results showed significant differences among plants in the majority of studied traits in both sowing dates which gives an indicator that the plant-to-plant uniformity of the morphological traits for the single-cross hybrids is significantly affected when exposed to inadequate environmental factors.                             

Key Words: Sowing date, Uniformity, Single-cross hybrid, Zea mays and PARDI.