Effect of Seed Distribution and Population On Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain Yield.

Third world planting of maize (Zea mays L.) is generally accomplished by hand and that results in highly heterogeneous plant stands. Hand planter that singulates seed and maintains close equidistant plant spacing could improve yields. The objectives of this work were to determine the benefits of singular and equidistant plant spacing compared to planting 2-3 seeds per hill, with variable spacing, and that is common in developing countries. Three field experiments with a complete factorial of 1, 2, and 3 seeds per hill, at distances of 0.16, 0.32 and 0.48m apart were established in 2011 with 3 replications in a randomized complete block design. At maturity, plots were harvested by hand and grain yield determined. All data were analyzed statistically using SAS. The results showed that, grain yield and N uptake increased with the number of seeds planted per hill and decreased with plant spacing excluding LCB East.  Results in two of the three sites showed that, planting 1 or 2 seeds per hill at 0.16 m plant spacing increased grain yield and N uptake, while 2 and/or 3 seeds per hill with the same spacing, increased NDVI and IPAR. New hand planter being developed will singulate seed, facilitate more homogenous stands, and positively impact developing nation maize planting, while better protecting marginal landscapes.