The Effects of different sowing dates on the some agronomical characters and kernel set in maize (Zea mays L. )

ABSTRACT THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SOWING DATES ON THE SOME AGRONOMICAL CHARACTERS AND KERNEL SET IN MAIZE {Zea mays L.) SafinazYAŞAK M. S. Thesis, Department of Field Crops Adviser: Prof. Dr. M. Emin TUGAY June 2002, 69 pages This research was conducted to investigate the effects of different sowing dates on the some agronomical characters and kernel set in maize at two different locations, (Campus and Aksu) under Antalya conditions. The experiments were arranged as randomized complete block design with four replications in Campus and three replications in Aksu. Sowing dates were considered as main plot and the cultivars as subplot. A field trial in Campus was carried out studying 1 1 different sowing dates beginning from 26 March to 23 August and a field trial in Aksu was carried out studying 8 different sowing dates beginning from 2 May to 9 August with aproximately 15 days intervals. Acording to one year results, the effects of sowing dates were statistically significant in first ear height, number of days to pollmation, number of days to fertilization, biological yield in plant, grain yield in plant and harvest index both locations. Significant differences were obtained among varieties for all the characters both locations (except for grain yield in plant, 1000 kernel weight and number of kernel per ear which were not statistically significant in Campus). Ant -90 and TTM 81-19 had better performance than Arifiye. It was found that the most suitable sowing dates were 26 March - 16 May for main crop and 12 June - 6 July for second crop. KEY WORDS: Sowing date, kernel set in maize, yield, temperature, relative humudity, flowering. COMMITTEE: Prof. Dr. M. Emin TUGAY Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bülent SAMANCI Asst. Prof. Dr. Zekeriya AKMAN n