Performance of second crop maize hybrids in different population densities

The cultivation of second crop (safrinha) maize (Zea Mays L.) has progressed in Brazil. The maize plant population recommendation for the second crop is drastically reduced. This work aimed to evaluate the morphophysiological characters of ear and yield components in different populations of plants and maize hybrids. The experiment was cultivated in a no-tillage system in the second crop of the 2019/2020 agricultural year in Unaí-MG and carried out according to a randomized block design in subdivided plots, with the five simple maize hybrids KWS (K9105VIP3, K9960VIP3, K9606VIP3, K9555VIP3 and K8774PRO3) considered as parcels and the four populations (35.000, 50.000, 65.000 and 80.000 plants he-1), considered as subplots. The maize hybrids did not influence (P>0,05) the variables. The populations of 35.000, 65.000 and 80.000 plants he-1 resulted in the highest (P<0,05) number of rows, number of grains per row and ear length. The increase in plant population influenced (P<0,05) positively the grain yields up to the population of plant density of 68.200 plants he-1 with grain yield of 9.302 kg he-1. Population densification, even increasing competition for resources negatively influencing most plant and ear characters, increases grain yield due to the greater amount of ear per area.