Effect of arrangement of plants in the incidence of stem rot and incidence of damaged kernels

Maize has economic importance for the State of Santa Catarina mainly due to the presence of pig and poultry farms.
Therefore a study was conducted during the harvest season of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 in Chapecó, SC , with the objective of
evaluating the effect of plant arrangement on the stalk rot (PBC) and damaged kernels (GA) using the spacings 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8
m between rows. In the main plot three corn hybrids of early cycle (P30F36 , AS 1575, Maximus) were tested, the spacing in the
plots and nitrogen levels 0 , 75 , 140 , 210 and 290 kg/N/ha in the sub-plots, using four replicates per treatment. Levels of PBC
were evaluated, and also weight of thousand grains, grain yield, percentage of GA and the incidence of Fusarium verticillioides
in corn kernels. Hybrids AS 1575 and P30F36 have reduced the incidence of PBC with increased spacing. Significant difference
in grain yield in hybrids and interaction between N doses were observed in the different spacings. The percentage of GA
showed significant difference for the mean of hybrids.