Table 1.
Kernel number per plant (KNP), total above‐ground plant dry weight, total kernel weight per plant, mean kernel weight per plant, harvest index and stem dry weight at physiological maturity for Holdens LH198 × LH185 and Dekalb DK611 maize plants sown at three stand densities (one, eight and 18 plants m–2) and exposed to natural or restricted pollination
| Stand density(plants m–2) | Pollination treatment | KNP (kernels per plant) | Plant dry weight (g per plant) | Kernel dry weight (g per plant) | Kernel weight (mg per kernel) | Harvest index (g g–1) | Stem dry weight (g per stem) |
| Holdens LH198 × LH185 | |||||||
| 1 | Natural | 1056 | 665·2 | 354·2 | 336·8 | 0·53 | 108·1 |
| Restricted | 278* | 482·9* | 96·9* | 365·7 | 0·19* | 144·7* | |
| 8 | Natural | 491 | 251·4 | 133·4 | 271·0 | 0·53 | 43·4 |
| Restricted | 195* | 240·3 | 70·8* | 356·0* | 0·29* | 75·1* | |
| 18 | Natural | 310 | 153·2 | 75·0 | 244·2 | 0·49 | 28·5 |
| Restricted | 180* | 155·5 | 54·1* | 303·3* | 0·35* | 43·4* | |
| Dekalb DK611 | |||||||
| 1 | Natural | 1210 | 659·5 | 337·0 | 279·3 | 0·51 | 101·2 |
| Restricted | 213* | 480·0* | 75·1* | 353·0* | 0·16* | 149·9* | |
| 8 | Natural | 542 | 277·3 | 131·7 | 243·0 | 0·47 | 56·3 |
| Restricted | 253* | 248·8 | 88·7* | 345·8* | 0·36* | 67·2 | |
| 18 | Natural | 385 | 186·3 | 91·6 | 240·4 | 0·49 | 35·1 |
| Restricted | 122* | 159·3 | 40·4* | 339·7* | 0·24* | 51·1* |
Statistical comparisons are made within each hybrid × stand density combination.
* Significantly different from natural pollination at P < 0·05.