Maize Growth and Development in Tillage Method, Planting Date and Density

In order to study the effect of tillage method, sowing date and plant density on population physiological index and morphological trait on maize, a split-plot experiment was carried out. Main plot was tillage method with two levels (conventional tillage vs. deep loosing tillage). The subplots were planting date (25th April, 10th May and 25th May) and density (45 000 plants ha-1, 67 500 plant ha-1, 90 000 plant ha-1). Results showed that deep loosing could retard the decrease of leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR) and dry matter accumulation (DM). Moreover, it was benefit for growth and development after florescence. Significant difference in planting date treatments demonstrated that early sowing was better than medium and late sowing. During reproductive stage, delay in planting decreased the LAI by 12.52%. With density increased, population physiological index raised.