Abstract:
Quality Protein Maize (BHQPY545) has been released by research center to tackle the low level
protein content of other commercial maize varieties in Ethiopia. However, little has been done
on the influence of different Inter and Intra row spacing on BHQPY 545 variety growth and yield
under Jimma Condition. Therefore, this field experiment was conducted at Jimma Agricultural
Research Center with the objective of to determine the effect of Inter and Intra row spacing on
growth, yield and yield component of BHQPY 545. Factorial combinations of five Inter row
spacing (55, 65, 75, 85 and 95 cm) and five Intra row spacing (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 cm) were
laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance
showed that the interaction effect of inter and intra row spacings brought about significant
variation among all the traits measured except Days to 50% emergence, ear length, number of
grain rows per ear and number of grains per row while the main effect brought significant
variation on number of ear per plant and ear diameter. Moreover, significantly higher leaf area
index, plant height, number of grain per ear, grain yield and biomass yield was recorded from
55x25cm inter and intra row spacing. Grain yield highly significant and positively correlated
with leaf area index (r=0.57**), plant height (r=0.37**), number of grain per ear (r=0.33**)
and biomass yield (r=0.81**). On the other hand, grain yield was highly significantly and
negatively correlated with leaf area (r=-0.53**), stem diameter (r=-0.54**) and number of ear
per plant (r=-0.39**). In general, significantly higher yields were obtained from treatment
combination of 55x25cm while the lowest was recorded from 75x40cm inter and intra row
spacing. Therefore, it could be concluded that BHQPY 545 maize could be planted at optimum
spacing of 55cm x 25cm of Inter and Intra row spacing under irrigation in Jimma area to attain
maximum yield. It is further recommended that these results are from only one season at one site
and hence such studies may be repeated in space and time to reach at concrete recommendation.
