Influence of Cultivars and Intra Row Spacing on Performance of Maize in Keiyo North Sub-County, Kenya
Abstract
Maize is a major crop grown in Kenya for human and animal feed. Its production is determined by farming practices such as plant population, climatic factors, pests, diseases and nutrition, among others. Farmers grow maize varieties and are subject to the same spacing, yet they have varying nutrient requirements, resulting in low yields. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of spacing and varieties on quality and yield of maize. A study was conducted between March to December 2019 at Bugar and Tambach in Keiyo North Sub-County, Kenya. The treatments were three plant spacing at 75 cm× 20 cm, 75 cm× 25 cm and 75 cm× 30 cm. The three maize varieties selected were Hybrid 614, Hybrid 624 and Hybrid 6218. A factorial experiment (3×3) in a Randomised Complete Block Design with three replicates was conducted in both sites. Data was collected on the number of cobs,1000 grain weight and yield per 90kg bag was recorded at the end of the experiment. Data was subjected to two-way analysis of variance and means were separated by Tukey’s Honest Significance test at p≤0.05 in GenStat 14th Version. Results showed that there was no significant difference in interaction between spacing and varieties in both sites. There was significant p≤0.05 difference on number of cobs in Bugar on spacing but not on variety. The 1000 grain weight was significantly p ≤0.05 different in Tambach for variety but not spacing. H624 under 75 cm×20 cm produced the highest number of cobs in Bugar, while H614 under 75 cm×20 cm was best in Tambach. In conclusion, farmers in Bugar should plant H624 under 75×25cm while those in Tambach should plant H614 under 75 × 30 cm for optimum yields. These should therefore be the recommended spacing for these hybrids in Bugar and Tambach, Elgeyo Marakwet
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ishmael Chesinen, Elmada Auma, PhD, Lucas Ngode, PhD
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