The effect of skips on the grain yield of the adjacent hills in trials with maize hybrids under different conditions

Experiments were carried out with maize during 1959-61 to find the effect of skips (gaps) on adjoining hills and some factors influencing this effect. The effect of skips was influenced by the size and shape of skips, the type of stand, nitrogen fertilizer, the maize hybrids and the weather.

There was an increase in the yield of hills adjoining a skip in the same row and in adjacent rows. The effect of a skip on the direct neighbour in the row was very high.

The present study clearly demonstrated that both size and shape of the skip had to be considered.

Hybrids differed widely in response to skips, stand and nitrogen levels.

The use of adjustment formulae based on the oversimplified concept of a constant adjustment percentage of compensation for the loss of yield due to skips generally led to erroneous conclusions.

The 'normal plant method' of adjustment gave the best estimate of plot yield.