Increasing maize planting density leads to lower yields and higher barrenness rates.
The researchers studied how planting density affects maize yield and its components in different maize types. They used 4 commercial hybrids and 4 crosses. Results showed that increasing planting density led to lower kernel weight, fewer kernels per ear, and lighter 100-kernel weight, but higher barrenness rate. High density decreased yield by 15.5%. The most crucial factor affecting maize yield was barrenness rate.
