Effect of shading on plant growth of 4 varieties of hybrid corn

Agricultural land in Indonesia continues to decrease every year so that the use of plantation areas can be an alternative in increasing corn production. This study aimed to obtain corn varieties that can grow and produce well in shaded conditions. The experimental design used was a Split Plot Design arranged in a Randomized Block Design consisting of two factors. The first factor on the main plot is the shade (S) i.e., no shade (S1), 25% light interception shade (S2), and 50% light interception shade (S3). The second factor in the sub-plot is the hybrid corn variety (V) consisting of Bima 20 (V1), JH-37 (V2), Nasa 29 (N3), and Pioneer P32 (V4). The results showed that two varieties produce a high yield in 50% light interception conditions, which are JH-37 and Bima 20 with kernel dry weights of 6.04 and 6.43 tons/ha, respectively. On plant growth, shade treatment did not have a significant effect on the plant height, the number of leaves, and the leaf area, but affects the diameter of the stems.