Open AccessEvaluation of the yield performance of maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) in a Semi-Arid Region of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Author(s) -
Mxolisi Mtyobile
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of agricultural science and food technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2455-815X
DOI - 10.17352/2455-815x.000126
Subject(s) - cultivar , agronomy , arid , yield (engineering) , crop , zea mays , grain yield , staple food , population , cape , crop yield , biology , geography , agriculture , ecology , materials science , demography , archaeology , sociology , metallurgy , paleontology
Maize is considered as one of the important grain crop in the world. Maize is in high demand within district because it is one of the staple food and also used for animal feed. Current yield attained by small scale farmers is lower than the potential of our existing varieties. In field experiment at Njizweni situated in Gqeleni sub-district was conducted in November 2018 to evaluate the agronomic and yield performance maize cultivars in a semi-arid environment. Plant population, plant height, leaf area, number of cobs/plant, cob length, number of grains per cob, 100 grain weight and number of cobs were significantly different (p 0.05) on maize grain yield although maximum number of cobs per plant (1.76) was recorded on PAN 6R-710BR, PAN5R-591R, BG 5285 and WE 6208B.