The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of four sowing times on the yield of three maize cultivars with different phenological stages. Field experiments were carried out in the FCA/UNESP-Campus, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. The experiments were arranged in a randomized block design with six repetitions, considering maize genetic composition and sowing times as causes of variation. The treatments were arranged in a 3x4 factorial design, with three cultivars AL 34 (late cycle), AG 9010 (early cycle) and DKB 333B (medium-early cycle) planted in 4 sowing times, August, October and December 2003 and February 2004. Data were examined by analysis of variance and means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability level. Sowing in February provided a more rapid emergence, differing from the other times regardless of cultivar. The number of leaves above and below the ear and the initial and final population were influenced by sowing time. For plant height, genetics and physiology of cultivars predominated. Sowing in February allowed the identification of differences in productivity resulted from the integration of production components. Yield of cultivars AL 34, AG 9010 and DKB 333B depends on sowing time and vegetative cycle of each cultivar.
Zea mays; morphology; genetic composition
