Agronomic optimum plant density (AOPD) is herein termed as the plant density that results in maximum yield.
Fruit set increased with plant density.
Excessive plant density, defined as the plant density above carrying capacity of the environment decreases grain number, weight, and increases plant barrenness37,38,39,40.
A change in plant density without improving productivity or yield environment, negatively impacts yield.
The rate of change for yield gain outpaced the rate of change in plant density.
Therefore, plant density is reflecting the "carrying capacity" of any maize growing environment.
Concurrent to yield, maize (Zea Mays L). plant density has significantly increased over the years.
Plant density was the whole plot treatment and hybrids were in the subplot level.
Harvested plants were also counted to generate an estimate of plant density at harvest.
Aboveground biomass was linearly associated with plant density.
Since then on, LA increased linearly with plant density.
