EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF SOWING SEASON AND WEATHER CONDITIONS ON MAIZE YIELD

Abstract

Climate change has become the biggest global challenge to agriculture and food production. In the context of current environmental changes, the aim of this study is to identify the optimal sowing season that leads to obtaining high and constant yields. The study followed the reaction of 7 native maize hybrids to cultivation in 3 different sowing seasons, over a period of 3 years. The data obtained show us that the best yield results are obtained on mid-early hybrids (9327- 9843 kg/ha). Sowing maize too early, are obtained lower yields than for maize sown at 10ºC in the soil, with a very significant difference of 1337 kg/ha. Favorable climatic conditions in 2020 and 2021 emerge from the average yields obtained in the two years, 10343 kg/ha (2020) respectively 9424 kg/ha (2021). The climatic conditions of 2022 were less favorable, summer drought having a negative effect on average maize yield, which was 6924 kg/ha.