Topic

Evaluating on the impact of hybrid maize (PNR 473) versus open pollinated variety (red cork) with
reference to germination percentage, growth rate and total grain yield in Mberengwa District
Midlands Province.

BY

CANDIDATE NAME: MASUKU THUBELIHLE

CANDIDATE NUMBER: 5023

CENTRE NUMBER: 050664

SCHOOL NAME: CHINGOMA HIGH SCHOOL

The research project submitted for the requirement of paper four Advanced Level Crop Science at
Chingoma High School in 2020.
Abstract

The researcher carried out the project at Chingoma High school which is located in the Midlands
province in Mberengwa district 2.5km away from Mataga growth point and it is found in natural
region four of Zimbabwe. The project was based on an evaluation on the impact of hybrid maize
(PNR473) versus open pollinated variety (red cork) with reference to germination percentage,
growth rate and total grain yield. The researcher carried out the project in the school garden using
six beds, three open pollinated maize (red cork) and the other three (PNR473). Each bed contains six
plants in it. Graphs, pie chart, tables and the T-test were analytical tools used to present my results.
The results obtained shows that hybrid maize (PNR473) have higher total grain yield than open
pollinated (Red cork) with a ts of 1,027 which falls within the -2,110< ts <2,110. Open pollinated
variety (red cork) had higher growth rate than hybrid maize (PNR473) with a ts of 1,07 which falls
within the -2,110<ts<2,110. Hybrid maize (PNR473) had higher percentage than open pollinated
variety (red cork) with a ts of 1,07which falls within the -2,110<ts<2.110. Therefore there is no proof
at the 0,05 level to suggest null hypothesis for all the objectives should be rejected and so infer that
there is no significant difference in terms of germination percentage, growth rate and total grain
yield between hybrid (PNR473) and open pollinated (Red cork) maize varieties. This is backed by the
Agriculture Researcher council – Plant breeding and Biotechnology which states that; certified seed
is at least 98% pure and has a germination percentage of at least 90% and the Suba Agro Trading and
Engineering is Limited states that hybrid maize yields around seven to nine tonnes per hectare. This
clearly shows that hybrid maize has a higher germination percentage and total grain yield than OPV
maize varieties. However the difference is very small, therefore communal farmers can still grow
open pollinated variety since it is less expensive and it is locally available within the community
unlike (PNR473) which is expensive and not locally available within the communal areas.

I
Acknowledgement

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Crop Science teacher, Mr T.Mangena who
patiently gave me the guide on how to carry out my project properly. I also acknowledge, Mr Kufa
who helped me with some text books which I used during my research project. He also helped me
with tools I used to clear and prepare my research project area. Finally my sincere thanks go to my
friends Grant Zvamaziva, Nyasha Shumba and Tinofara Phebeni who assisted me in watering the
garden and Mr Madlenya in typing the project.

II
LIST OF TABLE AND FIGURES
TABLE/FIGURE TITTLE PAGE
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1.......................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION

This chapter contains factors which could be used to carry out this experiment. These are the
background of the study, problem statement, aims, significance of the study, objectives, hypothesis,
assumptions, limitations and delimitations.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY.

Even though maize have higher yield, most famers in Mberengwa District use different varieties of
maize seeds but the problem with them is that they don’t know the most good variety of seed. Some
use hybrid maize seed (PNR 473), others use open pollinated maize (red cork) and the least use (PNR
473). This pushed the researcher to carry out this experiment to determine the variety which
performs better in relation to germination percentage, growth rate and total grain yield.

1.2 Problem statement.

Famers apply different varieties of maize but the problem is that they don’t know the most
performing better which results in low yields. This forces the researcher to carry out this experiment.

1.4 Aim

The research project aims to elaborate the effects of varying plant spacing for plant population on
maize production.

1
1.5 Significance of study

This project is important to small scale farmers to a larger extent because it points out how they can
improve their maize yields to avoid food shortages, hunger and starvation.

1.6 Objectives

To compare the growth rate (stem height) on weekly basis using a string and ruler from week 2 after
germination until tasseling stage.

To compare the cob size of different spacing in two plots from week 7 until harvesting stage.

To compare the yield (mass of dried grains after harvesting using a scale).

1.7 Hypothesis

The good growth rate, big cobs good utilisation of nutrients and yields are expected from 90cm by
30cm spaced maize.

1.8 Assumption

It was assumed that soil fertility, amount of fertilizer applied and soil pH were the same.

1.9 Limitations

There are some factors acts as limiting factors on the investigations. These factors are soil type,
rainfall, pest and disease as well as hail storms.
1.10Delimitations

The boundaries of geographical set up are Chingoma is located in the middle of Mberengwa District
in Midlands province in natural farming region four with average rainfall ranging from 450mm to
650mm. It also experiences average high temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 0c. The soils are poor
and slightly sand. Again economic activities such as mining and cattle ranching reduces arable lands
for farming. Also Chingoma is far away from the capital city Harare by 427km East of the city.

1.11 Summary

The main focus of this chapter was to act as the Genesis of the research. This chapter was therefore
trying to give an overview of what the research is likely to be concerned about as indicated by the
background of the study, aims significance only to mention a few.

3
Chapter 2

Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

This chapter focuses on the literature review gathered from various scholars.

2.2 Spacing

Plant density is one of the most important cultural practices determine grain yield as well as other
important agronomic attributes of this crop. Casal (1985) states that density effects plant
architecture alters growth and development patterns, influences carbohydrates production and
partition.

Almeda and Sangoi, 1996 says maize is more sensitive to variation in plant density than other
members of the grass family.

2.3 The growth rate of plant stem Height under the different Spacing.

Sangoi and Salvador (1988) says the use of high population. Interplant competition for light, water
and nutrients. This may be detrimental to find yield because it stimulates apical dominance, induces
barrenness and ultimately decreases the number of cobs produced per plant and grain filling. But
under low population, there is normal stem growth since there is good utilization of nutrients, water
and no competition for sunlight.

4
2.4 The size of cobs produced in relation to spacing.

One of the main major factors limiting conversion of light energy to grain in maize grown at high
plant density barrenness, the failure of plants to produce variable cobs as stated by Sangoi (1960).
Besides the competition for assimilation among plant organs, there may be a hormonal mechanism
accounting for the influence of plant population on cob development as said by Wilson and Allison
(1978).

Gardener et al (1985) says at low densities, many modern maize hybrids tiller effectively and quite
often produce two cobs per plant.

2.5 The mass of the final yield in relation to the spacing.

Tollenaar et al (91997) says maize grain yield declines when density increased beyond the optimum
plant density primarily because of decline in the harvest index and increased stem lodging such
cases represent intense inter plant competition for incident photosynthetic photon density, soil
nutrients and soil water. This result in limited supplies of carbon and nitrogen and consequent
increases in barrenness and decreases in cob number per plant and cob size as stated by Lemloff and
Loomis (1994).

5
2.6 Summary

The chapter gives overview of what different scholars say on effects of varying maize spacing.

6
Chapter 3

Methodology

3.1 Introduction

In this chapter the researcher focuses on data collection and tools used in determining growth rate,
cob size and yield. Experimental plots were constructed, data collection, analysed producers and
observations were laid out and finally graphical methods for data analysis were used.

3.2 Site Description

The investigation was carried out at Chingoma High school which is located in the middle of
Mberengwa and is 78km south west of Zvishavane. The district province in Zimbabwe. The
experimental blocks were constructed at A level Agriculture department in the school garden.

3.3 Soil type

The soil in this place is slightly sandy with fine particles that are lightly coloured. Again this soil have
low bulk density which is suitable for plant growth, also roots can penetrate easily because
compaction is reduced.

7
3.4 Climatic conditions

The place is found in agro ecological region 4 with average rainfall which is relatively low and
unreliable ranging from 450mm to 650mm per year and it is subjected to seasonal droughts. The
temperatures are generally high with an average of 25 to 30*C.

3.5 Design of the study

The investigation was done on two experimental blocks from which the data was collected. The
blocks were in two categories from the given situation. Each block gives 6m by 1m on the ground but
on the paper is 6cm by 1cm. Again on each subplot is 1,2cm and 1cm: 1m.

8
3.6 Experimental Block Designs

Scale 6cm: 6m on the length.

1cm: 1m on the width.

Figure 3.1

Plot A (90cm by 30cm) Plot B (45cm by 15cm)

Sub plot Sub plot

1 1

2
6cm
2
3
3
4
4
5
1cm: 1,2cm on each plot.
5
The blocks were subdivided into 5 subplots each giving 1cm
by 1.2cm on the paper. But on the ground was 1m by 6m.

3.6.1 Importance of replication.

Replication was appropriate for the following reasons:

  To obtain am estimate for the mean.
 To obtain a more precise estimate for the mean.
 To have accurate results.
 To reduce the channels of experimental error.

Fig 3.6.2

Material and methods

Area of Bed 6cm2

Crop Maize,(SC513)
Number of treatments 2
Plant population 3/Plots
Experimental duration
Methods of measuring plant growth Random
Frequency and measurements Once a week

10

Fig 3.6.3 Materials and Function

Rake For levelling

To break the clods

 Ruler and string For measuring purposes.

Watering cane For watering the plants.

Mattock For digging purposes.

Hoe To break the clods.

Scale For weighing the dried grain.

Teaspoon For fertilizer application.

Slasher For cutting the grass short.

3.7 Experimental procedures

Land preparation

The researcher ploughed land and removed weeds. Maize is a plant which is planted in mid- October
to November period. Land seedbeds were prepared as the end of April 2019, when the soil was
moist. A mouldboard ox drawn plough was used to prepare for both plot A and B immediately after
first good soaking rains a hoe was used to prepare land for sub plots. The hoe was used to mark
planting stations and a rake from producing fine tilth.

11

3.7.1Spacing and planting

After land preparation the researcher marked planting stations. These stations were marked
measuring 90cm by 30cm in plot A and 45cm by 15cm in plot B. After marking the stations, the
researcher calculated the plant population to determine the amount of seed required, was achieved
using the following formular

Pant population = Area of land in use

Row spacing x inter row Spacing

In plot A = 6m x 1m In plot B = 6m x 1m

0,9m x 0,3m 0,45m x 0,15m

30 plants 90 plants

3.8 Application of fertilizers

3.8.1 Methods of fertilizer application

Compound D was applied at planting by bending. After four weeks from emergence plants were top
dressed and after eight weeks the maize plants were again top dressed with ammonium nitrate.

12

3.9 Harvesting
Maize cobs were cut using hands when the grains were dry and hard. They were packed separately
according to their plots. Cobs ere further dried, shelled using hands, winnowed, packed and then
weighed.

3.10 Sampling

The researcher took samples randomly from all subplots from both plot A and B.

3.11 Data collection procedures

Germination percentage

The researcher counted the number of plants germinated after planting and used the formula below
to calculate the germination percentage in bed A and bed B.

Germination percentage=Number of sawn seeds-number of germinated seeds x 100

Total number of seeds

3.11.1 Growth rate (Stem Height)

One plant from each subplot is randomly selected and five plants in each plot (A and B). These were
measured using a ruler and to obtain the plant heights. They measured weekly for two months.
These heights below are for data collection and recording maize heights.

Table 3.1

Plot A (90cm by 30cm) Plot B (45cm by 15cm)

Subplots Subplots
Date 1 2 3 4 5 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Average
cm cm

13

Yield

Maize were harvested on each plot and the yield was measured using a digital scale. Yield was
weighed and masses were recorded in order.
Table 3: Format for recording yield

Bed A Bed B
Masses(g)

14

Chapter 4

Introduction
This chapter shows how data is collected in relation to germination percentage, growth rate and
final yield. The data is collected from the field and recorded according to the researcher,s
objectives.

Results presentation

Table 5: Shows germination percentage.

Calculations for bed A

Germination percentage=Number of sawn seeds-number of germinated seeds x 100

Total number of seeds

Bed A Bed B
Number of germinated seeds

15

Table 6: Shows maize growth rate

 Date Week Number of plants Averag Number of plants Average
e
28/02/20
14/03/20
25/03/20
11/04/20
25/04/20
O9/05/2
0
23/05/20

Table 7: Average yield

Bed A Bed B
Mass(g)

Samples

Fig 2:

Picture: Bed A

Picture: Bed B

16

Chapter 5
Data Analysis

5.0 Introduction

In this chapter, the collected was analysed by the researcher using statistical method as shown
below.

Table 8: Growth rate analysis

Date Week Average growth Average growth

rate(cm) Bed A rate(cm) Bed B
28/02/20 2
14/03/20 4
28/03/20 6
11/04/20 8
25/04/20 10
09/05/20 12
23/05/20 14

17

GRAPH: