The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of using maize seed lots constitued of high and low vigor seeds, as well as mixtures of different proportions, on plant growth and yield. Plants from high vigor seeds showed higher initial growth than those from low vigor seeds, independently of seed distribution and position in the seeding row. Comparing the yield components between plants arising from high and low vigor seeds, when the percentages of one type of seed were 100% (homogeneous lots), results were similar, but plants from low vigor seeds had inferior results on other seed distributions (heterogeneous lots). Seed vigor is directly related to initial plant growth in maize but the effects do not continue until harvest when using seed lots with homogeneous vigor. However, the use of seed lots with heterogeneous vigor results in more intra-specific competition and a lower competitive capacity for plants originating from low vigor seeds, resulting in dominated plants which grow and yield less.
intra-specific competition; seed vigor; dominated plants; Zea mays L
