Zinc dose and sowing date effects on popcorn (ksc 604 p.c.) yield components

ABSTRACT: Popcorn (Zea mays everta Sturt.) is a popular and nutritious snack food. Environmental factors affecting grain yield and yield-related components of popcorn are needed to compensate increasing demand. This research was conducted to determine the effects of zinc fertilizer application rates and sowing dates on grain yield and yield-related plant characteristics of popcorn in Arak, located at central part region of IRAN, during 2009 and 2010. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement with three replications. Zinc doses of 0, 15, 30 and 45 kg ha-1 were arranged in the main plots and sowing dates of Jun 5th , Jun 20th,July 6th and July 21 th were arranged in the sub-plots. Popcorn grain yield and yield-related traits were significantly affected by zinc doses and sowing dates. Our results indicated that suitable zinc dose and sowing date were 30 kg Zn ha-1 and July 6th for popcorn grown as a second crop in Arak ecological conditions in central region of IRAN.