Abstract
<p class="1">Altering plant spatial distribution induces changes in micro-meteorology of crop canopy and have cumulative effect on yield. Creation of suitable plant spatial distribution is indispensable to explore the beneficial effects of spatial pattern and it could be possible only through altering rectangular spatial distribution, which is commonly practiced in maize. Most of the nitrogen (N) scheduling approaches are growth stages based without considering crop demand and soil fertility status which may not yield better, warrants need based N management for better production in maize. The present study has investigated effects of spatial pattern and nitrogen scheduling on intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR), light extinction co-efficient (‘k’), leaf temperature (LT) and productivity of maize. The experiments were conducted during 2011 and 2012 at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Treatments were laid out in split-plot design and replicated thrice. Treatments were: six levels of spatial pattern (60 × 25, 30 × 30, 35 × 35, 40 × 40, 45 × 45 and 50 × 50 cm). Growth stage based and need based approach of leaf color chart based (LCC) nitrogen scheduling were imposed. Field experimental results indicated that maize canopy under 30 × 30 and 35 × 35 cm spatial pattern intercepted 10 to 15% more light compared to rectangular pattern (60 × 25 cm). The ‘k’ value and leaf temperature were reduced under this pattern. Higher maize grain yield (GY) was recorded at 35 × 35 cm spatial distribution. The LCC based N scheduling recorded higher values of IPAR, LT and lower ‘k’ values. Square planting favored canopy micro-meterological parameters and which in turn enhanced grain yield of maize.</p>
Highlights
Plant spatial pattern is an important agronomic practice which is related to light interception and the plants are able to convert light energy into chemical energy, which is pre-requisite for CO2 fixation
The present study has investigated effects of spatial pattern and nitrogen scheduling on intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR), light extinction co-efficient (‘k’), leaf temperature (LT) and productivity of maize
Field experimental results indicated that maize canopy under 30 × 30 and 35 × 35 cm spatial pattern intercepted 10 to 15% more light compared to rectangular pattern (60 × 25 cm)
Summary
Plant spatial pattern is an important agronomic practice which is related to light interception and the plants are able to convert light energy into chemical energy, which is pre-requisite for CO2 fixation. It alters photosphere and rhizosphere exploitation by the plants especially when spacing is inadequate and the plants suffer clustering together. Maize plant is typically grown at a wider inter row spacing than intra row spacing This would create a heterogeneous environment in which the plants receive higher red light to far-red light from the inter row spaces (Maddonni et al, 2002). Several studies considered maize canopy as homogeneous medium with random leaf orientation distribution. Maddonni et al (2001a) have detected that maize leaf orientation could react to filling empty spaces (e.g., intra or inter-row) due to plant spatial arrangement. Acciaresi and Zuluaga (2006) reported that in clay loamy soils, the grain yield was 30 and 33 per cent higher under 35 × 35 cm pattern over 70 × 17.5 cm, respectively. Fanadzo et al (2010) indicated that closer square planting of 45 × 38 cm recorded higher green cob yield and grain yield than rectangular pattern of 90 × 19 cm at Eastern Cape, South Africa
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