Effect of planting date on yield of maize varieties grown in the north-east region of Botswana

The effect of planting density on the yield of maize varieties was shown in an
experiment in Francistown, north-east region of Botswana. The experimental design was
a randomized complete block, with a split-plot comprising three planting dates and eight
varieties of maize. The planting dates were considered the main plots and the varieties as
the sub-plots. There were significant differences between the planting dates for cob length,
plant height and grain yield. The highest cob length, number of cobs per plant, plant
height and grain yield of 32.37 cm, 2.12 cobs per plant, 220.44 cm and 3776.2 kg/ha,
respectively, were observed at the second planting date of 15 October. SC 633 produced
the highest cob length of 28.59 cm; SC 411, SC 633 and SC 701 produced the highest
number of cobs of 2.11; SC 701 showed the highest plant height of 206.74 cm and the
highest grain yield of 3540 kg/ha was observed for SC 701.