Mulching and Planting Density on Photosynthesis, Lodging Resistance, and Yield of Maize

Finding and optimizing sustainable approaches could increase yield by modifying the structural and physiological traits by reducing lodging and competition for soil water. A higher yield could be achieved by optimizing planting density under appropriate mulching. In this experiment, we studied the effect of mulching (no mulch, straw mulch, and plastic mulch) on soil water consumption, canopy structure, lodging, and yield traits of maize under different planting density rates (52,500–90,000 plants ha− 1). Results indicated that the lodging was minimum at lower planting densities while the higher density rates induced lodging by reducing the diameter and increasing the internode length. The weight of 100-grains, the number of grains per ear, ear length, and photosynthesis rate were decreased by increasing planting density but grain yield ha− 1 was increased with planting density up to 67,500 plants ha− 1 under no mulch and 75,000 plants ha− 1 under straw and plastic mulch. This showed that the higher planting density could be used by adopting plastic mulch increasing yield and saving soil moisture. The planting density at which the highest grain yield was attained under no mulch was 67,500 plants ha− 1 which was increased to 7500 plant ha− 1 under straw and plastic mulch. The yield showed 8–10% increase at plastic mulching at 75,000 plants ha− 1 as compared to no mulch at 52,500 plants ha− 1. Thus, higher density could be adopted under plastic mulching, and plastic and straw mulching decreased the lodging rate.