Row Spacing Effects on Light Extinction Coefficients of Corn, Sorghum, Soybean, and Sunflower

Abstract

AbstractIn many crop models, light intercepted by a canopy (IPAR) is calculated from a Beer's Law equation: IPAR = PAR × [1 − exp(−k × LAI)], where k is the extinction coefficient, PAR the photosynthetically active radiation, and LAI the leaf area index. The first objective of this study was to investigate the effect of row spacing on k for corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to provide information for modeling. Data from literature and from an experiment conducted at Temple, TX, were evaluated. The second objective was to investigate effects of time of day and stage of crop development on k for different row spacings. Seeds of all four species were sown in rows 0.35, 0.66, or 1.00 m apart. Measurements of canopy light interception were taken near solar noon on two dates before anthesis. At anthesis, extinction coefficients were determined at 0845, 1015, and 1145 h (solar time). The extinction coefficient showed a linear decrease as row spacing increased. For each crop, the effect of row spacing on k was described by one linear regression for most data. Stage of crop development and stage of development × row spacing interaction did not significantly affect k during the period of measurements. The effect of time of day was significant for all four crops, and the time of day × row spacing interaction was significant for soybean and sunflower. Thus, modeling light interception for different row spacings should account for these effects.