To determine the ideal plant population and row spacing for corn, two trials were carried out (one with earlier hybrid and other with normal cycle hybrid) during the growing seasons of 1995/96, 1996/97 and 1997/98, in Chapecó, in the West of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The experimental design of both trials was complete randomized blocks arranged in split-plots, with main plot composed of four row spacings (70, 85, 100 and 115cm) and subplot composed of four stands (30000, 50000, 70000 and 90000 plants ha-1). Both hybrids had quadratic response to the increase in plant population with maximum technical efficiency around 74000 plants ha-1. Populations of 50000, 70000 and 90000 plants ha-1 of both hybrids had similar grain yields and superior to 30000 plants ha-1. The earlier hybrid had grain yields at 70 and 85cm superior to 115cm, while normal cycle hybrid did not present differences among spacings. The increase in plant population reduced significantly the weight of one thousand grains, the number of grains per ear and the number of ears per plant.
Zea mays; plant population; yield; yield components
