IMPACTO DOS ESPAÇAMENTOS E DENSIDADES POPULACIONAIS NA PRODUTIVIDADE DO MILHO SAFRINHA

Abstract

Revised Translation (Formal Academic English Aligned with ABNT Standards) Second-crop maize (milho safrinha) in Brazil has been consolidated as a strategic alternative for increasing agricultural production and optimizing the use of cultivated land, particularly following soybean harvest. Yield variability remains a significant concern and is influenced by factors such as row spacing and plant population density. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different row spacings and population densities on the productivity of second-crop maize.

The methodology adopted in this work comprises the collection and analysis of scientific articles, theses, dissertations, and other academic documents that address the influence of spacing and population density on second-crop maize productivity. Both row spacing and plant population density exert substantial effects on yield. Reduced row spacing—generally ranging from 40 cm to 50 cm—has demonstrated potential to increase productivity due to more efficient utilization of sunlight and soil nutrients. Regarding plant population density, higher densities, approximately 70,000 plants per hectare, tend to optimize yield, although adequate management is essential to prevent stress caused by competition for resources.

Practices that enhance the efficient use of light and nutrients, without inducing excessive competitive stress, are fundamental. It is recommended that farmers consider local cultivation conditions when determining row spacing and plant population density, adjusting these practices as necessary to achieve optimal productivity outcomes.