Yield and net income of unripe corn in function of the hilling dates

Abstract

The Agromen 2029 unripe corn was studied without and with hilling on 14; 28; 42; 14-28; 14-42; 28-42 and 14-28-42 days after sowing (DAS). Those eight treatments were arranged in a randomized experimental block design, with four replications. The highest heights of plant (176.9 cm) and of first ear (83.9 cm) were from those with no hilling (SA) and the smallest ones (162.4 and 72.9 cm, respectively) were from those with hilling on 28 DAS. The greatest yield of ears (56,000 ears ha-1) was obtained from 14-28-42 DAS treatments and the smallest one was from SA (47,000 ears ha-1). The greatest yield of non commercial ears (15,000 ears ha-1) was obtained from 14-42 and 14-28-42 DAS treatments and the smallest one was from SA (7,000 ears ha-1). Yield of commercial ears varied from 38,000 ears ha-1, on 28 DAS treatment to 41,000 ears ha-1, on 14, 42, 28-42 and 14-28-42 DAS treatments. Costs of yield varied from R$ 1,315.90 ha-1, in SA treatment, to R$ 1,774.17 ha-1, with hilling on 14-28-42 DAS. The greatest net income was R$ 2,684.10 ha-1 with no hilling and the smallest was R$ 2,166.81 ha-1 with hilling on 14-42 DAS. In the conditions that the experiment was carried out it was concluded that the cultivation with no hilling is recommended because it showed the smallest yield cost and the greatest net income.