Abstract:

To get the optimum cutting period, we studied the regulation effect of different seedling cutting periods on yield traits, root trait, plant height and spike height of spring-maize. Two spring-maize hybrids, ‘Lainong14’ (LN14) and ‘Denghai605’ (DH605), were selected as the experimental materials. The cutting periods of no seedling cutting (CK), and four (SC4), five (SC5), six (SC6), seven (SC7) fully expanded leaves age were set up. Results showed that the grain yield in SC4 of LN14 and DH605 increased respectively by 12.87%, 9.31% in 2017 and 11.31%, 10.15% in 2018 compared with that of CK. But the yield increase of SC5 was not significant. Very few ratooning seedlings were observed at SC6 of LN14, but quickly died. There was no ratooning seedling extraction at SC6 and SC7 of DH605 and SC7 of LN14. Shoot biomass, root numbers and leaf area index increased, plant height and spike height decreased and anti-lodging performance was improved significantly in SC4 of LN14 and DH605. Thus, the optimal seedling cutting time of spring maize to achieve high yield and high plant performance is at four fully expanded leaves age in central Shandong Province.

Key words: Spring Maize, Cutting Time, Yield, Anti-lodging Trait, Plant Traits