Abstract
Cotton produces more biomass and economic yield when cluster planting pattern (three plants per hole) than in a traditional planting pattern (one plant per hole), even at similar plant densities, indicating that individual plant growth is promoted by cluster planting. The causal factors for this improved growth induced by cluster planting pattern, the light interception, canopy microclimate and photosynthetic rate of cotton were investigated in an arid region of China. The results indicated that the leaf area index and light interception were higher in cluster planting, and significantly different from those in traditional planting during the middle and late growth stages. Cotton canopy humidity at different growth stages was increased but canopy temperatures were reduced by cluster planting. In the later growth stage of cluster planting, the leaf chlorophyll content was higher and the leaf net photosynthetic rate and canopy photosynthetic rate were significantly increased in comparing with traditional planting pattern. We concluded that differences in canopy light interception and photosynthetic rate were the primary factors responsible for increased biomass production and economic yield in cluster planting compared with the traditional planting of cotton.
Highlights
Comparisons of the growth and development of cotton grown in different planting patterns revealed that lint yield and water-use efficiency were higher with three plants per hole than with two or one plant per hole in the northwestern arid regions of China, aboveground biomass did not differ significantly (Su et al, 2009)
Yang et al (2008) reported that leaf temperature increased but humidity decreased with 15 cm row spacing than conventional row spacing, and this microclimate was better for photosynthesis
This pattern of light interception and Leaf area index (LAI) in cluster planting contradicted the results of Brodrick et al (2013) in which the canopy development and light interception in the early growth stage were higher in ultra-narrow row crops, but the canopy development and light interception were lower in ultra-narrow row crops in later growth stage
Summary
Comparisons of the growth and development of cotton grown in different planting patterns revealed that lint yield and water-use efficiency were higher with three plants per hole (cluster planting pattern) than with two or one plant per hole (traditional planting pattern) in the northwestern arid regions of China, aboveground biomass did not differ significantly (Su et al, 2009). Few studies have compared light interception and other microclimate characteristics in crops grown in different row-spacing systems, and none have examined cluster planting. Yang et al (2008) reported that leaf temperature increased but humidity decreased with 15 cm row spacing than conventional row spacing, and this microclimate was better for photosynthesis This increased light interception and optimized temperature and humidity in the growing season are suggested to be the primary reasons for increased yield in certain row-spacing systems. Changes in yield and biomass production can result from differences in photosynthetic capacity in later development, as observed in the cultivar Akenohoshi and Nipponbare of rice (Oryza sativa L.) (Jiang et al, 1988a), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Nakagami et al, 2004) and maize (Zea mays L.) (Ma & Dwyer, 1998). The bed planting with furrow irrigation may lead to the longer ‘‘stay-green’’ and grain-fill period and corresponding for higher grain yield
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