LESHEM, Y., Institute für Grünland und Futterpflanzenforschung, der Bundesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Braunschweig, Germany
WERMKE, M., Institute für Grünland und Futterpflanzenforschung, der Bundesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Braunschweig, Germany

The present study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that a dense maize stand (320–720·203 plants ha‐1) will produce more dry matter of acceptable quality than a stand sown at the density generally advocated (105 plants ha‐1). It was also aimed at proving that grain is not essential in order to obtain a high yield of good‐quality forage maize. It was found that dry matter yield increased with density, especially at the early stages of growth. When ear‐formation was depressed by increasing plant density, the resulting reduction of ear yield and its quality due to the absence of ear was partly compensated for by the increased yield and quality of the stem. Copyright © 1981, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved