Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of spacings and varieties on leaf area, SPAD value, leaf area index and yield of maize grown after rice in dry season. The plots were laid out within the experiment field using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial 2x3 and 4 replications. Two spacing levels were used (70x15 and 70x20 cm) and three maize varieties were selected (SW5731, PAC339 and NK6253). The field experiment was conducted in the Nam Chun Sub-District, Lom Sak District, Phetchabun Province, Thailand between December 2020 and April 2021. Leaf area per plant, SPAD value and leaf area index were collected at R3 stage, whereas yield was collected at physiological maturity stage. The results showed that there was no interaction effect between plant spacing and varieties was found in leaf area, SPAD value, leaf area index and yield. At 70x15 cm spacing, the leaf area index was significantly increased by 23.5%. For the grain yield, the average grain yield of maize varieties cultivated at 70x15 and 70x20 cm was 1.77 and 1.86 ton per rai, respectively. SW5731, PAC339, and NK6253 showed average grain yields of 1.89, 1.78, and 1.78 ton per rai, respectively, under paddy soil conditions.