Grain Yield and Weed Control in Corn Influenced by Seed Priming and Plant Density

In order to evaluate the effects of seed priming، plant density and row spacing on seed yield and quality of corn and weed control، this study was conducted during the 1389-90 growing season at the Research Farm of Agricultural and Natural Resources College of Razi University، Kermanshah as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Three factors included row spacing with two levels (75 cm (conventional) and 50 cm)، plant density with three levels (66666 plants. ha-1 (conventional density)، 83333 plants. ha-1 (1. 25-fold) and 99999 plants. ha-1 (1. 5-fold)) and seed priming with three levels (control or without priming، hydropriming and priming with HB-101 solution). Results indicated that weed biomass was significantly influenced by row spacing and plant density، so that، the highest weed biomass was observed in conventional row spacing and plant density and its lowest occurred in the planting density and row spacing of 99999 plants. ha-1 and 50 cm، respectively. Planting density and row spacing had also significant effects on corn 100-seed weight. The highest 100-seed weight was obtained in the planting density of 66666 plants. ha-1 and was reduced with increasing the planting density. The highest seed yield was obtained in the planting density of 83333 plants. ha-1 along with the row spacing of 50 cm and its lowest occurred in the planting density of 99999 plants. ha-1 along with the row spacing of 75 cm. The lowest seed oil percentage was observed in the highest planting density and its highest occurred in the conventional planting density، although، there was no significant difference between the conventional and 1. 25-fold planting density for this trait. The reduced row spacing led to the increased seed oil percentage. Among the seed priming treatments، the highest seed oil percentage occurred when corn seeds were primed with HB-101 solution. In general، seed priming and a 1. 25-fold increase in plant density compared to conventional level significantly increased corn yield. Increasing plant density and decreasing row spacing also led to the reduced weed biomass.