DYNAMICS OF 1000-GRAIN WEIGHT IN MAIZE HYBRIDS OF DIFFERENT FAO GROUPS UNDER CONSTANT CROPPING AND PROTECTION SYSTEMS AGAINST SEGETAL VEGETATION
Abstract
Purpose. To establish the 1000-grain weight indicators of maize hybrids of different FAO groups and their relationship with grain yield under different protection systems against segetal vegetation in constant five-year crops. Methods. Field studies were conducted at the Institute of Climate-Oriented Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in the agroecological zone of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine (2021–2025, 46°38′24″ N lat. 32°36′52″ E long.). The studies used innovative hybrids of Ukrainian selection (FAO 190-430), which are listed in the State Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine. The studies were conducted under drip surface irrigation with a pre-irrigation soil moisture level in the 0–50 cm layer of 75% RH. To protect plants from segetals, the herbicides Frontier® Optima and MaisTer® Power were used. Results. In the fifth year of continuous maize cultivation without the use of herbicides, the weight of 1000 grains, on average across hybrids, decreased from 286.8 g to 223.8 g. The late-ripening hybrids Tronka and Arabat (FAO 380 and FAO 430) responded most to weed infestation. The weight of 1000 grains in them decreased by 83 and 107 g, respectively, in the fifth year of continuous cropping, indicating a negative impact of segetal plants. The early- ripening hybrids Stepovyi and Khotyn responded less to weed infestation due to the shorter duration of the growing season, which reduced the period of regeneration of soil segetal reserves. The use of the soil herbicide Frontier® Optima significantly reduced the difference in 1000-grain weight in hybrids in the first and fifth years of continuous crops. The smallest difference in 1000-grain weight in maize hybrids in the first and fifth years of continuous crops was observed when using the combined action of soil and post-emergence herbicides (Frontier + Meister® Power), which indicates a minimal impact on the formation and filling of grains of segetal plants under such a protection system. The grain yield of the studied hybrids over a five-year period of continuous crops and various protection systems against segetals is positively correlated with the weight of 1000 grains. The highest correlation coefficients were recorded in hybrids with an extended vegetation period and higher potential yield – Tronka and Arabat (correlation coefficients r = 0.620, r = 0.861, respectively). Conclusions. The weight of 1000 seeds is positively correlated with grain yield over a certain range of grain size parameters. An increase in the weight of 1000 grains beyond the optimum grain size leads to a sharp drop in grain yield, which is observed under conditions of allelopathy of segetal plants and low pollination of the ear.
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