Abstract

The effect of planting density on the yield of maize varieties was shown in an experiment in Francistown, north-east region of Botswana. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with a split-plot comprising three planting dates and eight varieties of maize. The planting dates were considered the main plots and the varieties as the sub-plots. There were significant differences between the planting dates for cob length, plant height and grain yield. The highest cob length, number of cobs per plant, plant height and grain yield of 32.37 cm, 2.12 cobs per plant, 220.44 cm and 3776.2 kg/ha, respectively, were observed at the second planting date of 15 October. SC 633 produced the highest cob length of 28.59 cm; SC 411, SC 633 and SC 701 produced the highest number of cobs of 2.11; SC 701 showed the highest plant height of 206.74 cm and the highest grain yield of 3540 kg/ha was observed for SC 701.