Growth analysis of three maize cultivara, of distinct vegetativa cycles and plant heights, were carried out in order to estimate the following biometrical and physiological characteristics: dry matter distribution among the plant parts, crop growth rate, grain growth rate, leaf area index, and net assimilation rate. These characteristics were evaluated from the temporal variations of leaf area and dry matter accumulation among the plant parts. For all the characteristics determined, both IAC-Maya and IAC-Maya latente did not differ from each other, but were distinct from Cargill-601. Just after flowering the photosynthates produced in excess of the grain filling capacity were accumulated mainly in the stem being, however, available during the period of grain growth. Although IAC-Maya and IAC-Maya latente had higher photosynthetic capacity they were, however, less efficient than Cargill-601 in converting photosynthates to grain. The harvest indexes were 0.37 and 0.50, respectively, for IAC (Maya and Maya latente) and Cargill-601.
maize; growth analysis; physiological índex; leal arca índex; crop growth rate