Abstract

The variation in population density in a corn crop can positively, negatively or neutrally affects plant productivity depending on the productive potential of the area. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of the variation in corn seed dosage on crop yield, and define from which percentage of variation the productivity of the sown line is affected negatively. The experiment was installed at FCAV-UNESP, in Jaboticabal (SP), Brazil. Twelve variations on plant population were evaluated, ranging from -27% to 27%, varying with a frequency of 4.5%. The morphological and productive characteristics of each treatment were evaluated through regression analysis. Each 1% of negative variation on seed dosage was lost 1.06% in corn yield. Positive variations, however, presented changes that were 0 to -2.59%. Negative variations on seed dosage reduced corn productivity by up to 28%. The positive variation affects the productivity of the crop in a less accentuated way, with a reduction in productivity that reaches 2.59% in the largest variations and may even cause positive productivity results depending on the maximum potential of the area.

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