Effect Of Row Spacing Research Articles

Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Maize as Affected by Nitrogen Availability and Row Spacing

Efficient use of N in plant production is an essential goal in crop management. An experiment was performed at INTA Balcarce, Argentina during 3‐yr to evaluate the effect of row spacing and N level on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in no‐till (NT) irrigated maize (Zea mays L.). Treatments consisted of a factorial combination of row width (70, 52 and 35 cm) and N rates (0 to 180 kg N ha−1). Nitrogen rate and narrow rows increased total dry matter (DM), grain yield, and N accumulation. Relative responses to narrow rows decreased as N availability increased. The NUE decreased with N rate and increased with narrow row spacing. Narrow rows increased NUE by 12 and 15% expressed as DM or grain yield per unit of available N, respectively. Physiological efficiency decreased with N rate and was not affected by row spacing. Recovery efficiency (RE) decreased with increasing N rate, and increased for the narrow row spacings. The effect of narrow rows on RE decreased as N availability increased. Narrow rows increased NUE largely as a result of increased RE. These increments in RE could contribute to increase the profitability of maize production and to diminish the risk of environmental pollution.

Row Spacing Effects on Light Extinction Coefficients, Leaf Area Index, Leaf Area Index Affecting in Photosynthesis and Grain Yield of Corn (Zea mays L.) and Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Row Spacing Effects on Light Extinction Coefficients, Leaf Area Index, Leaf Area Index Affecting in Photosynthesis and Grain Yield of Corn (Zea mays L.) and Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Effect of Row Spacing and Seeding Rate on Soybean Yield

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield response to narrow row spacing has been consistently positive in the upper Midwest and new split‐row planters have made narrow row soybean production feasible, yet adoption has been slow in Iowa. Wide (76‐cm) and narrow (38‐cm) row spacing and four seeding rates (185,000; 309,000; 432 000; and 556,000 seeds ha−1) were evaluated at three locations during 2004, 2005, and 2006 to determine seed yield in wide and narrow row spacing and four seeding rates and evaluate economic advantages associated with changes in row spacing. Soybean planted in 38‐cm row spacing yielded 248 kg ha−1 greater than soybean planted in 76‐cm rows after adjustment for differences in final plant populations. Maximum yield at all locations was attained at a final harvest population of 462,200 plants ha−1 but >95% of the maximum yield was achieved with final populations as low as 258 600 plants ha−1. Increased production costs associated with greater seeding rates removed the yield benefit from greater harvest plant populations. Farm size of 144 ha with at least 50% of the land base dedicated to soybean production would benefit from conversion from wide to narrow rows. To break even on the investment in a split‐row planter a yield increase of 124 kg ha−1 was necessary for farms with 30% of 288 ha dedicated to soybean production. These data indicate that yield and economic benefits are sufficient to support the production of soybean in narrow rows and at seeding rates below current seeding rate recommendations.

Does spatial arrangement of 3D plants affect light transmission and extinction coefficient within maize crops?

Row spacing effects on light interception and extinction coefficient have been inconsistent for maize ( Zea mays L.) when calculated with field measurements. To avoid inconsistencies due to variable light conditions and variable leaf canopies, we used a model to describe three-dimensional (3D) shoot structures combined with a model of 3D light transfer. The MODICA model mimics 3D shoot structures of maize plants from digitizations in the field and makes it possible to simulate associated hypothetical canopies by re-arranging plants into different row spacings. All row spacings examined with the model had 10 plants m −2. By using the light model RIRI, simulations showed the relative importance of development stage and time integration on fraction of light transmitted and on the extinction coefficient. Narrow row spacings consistently had less transmitted light and greater values of extinction coefficient. This modelling tool shows promise to effectively evaluate row spacing to optimize light interception.

Crop management systems and maize grain yield under narrow row spacing

Reduction in row spacing provides a more uniform distribution among plants that can increase grain yield. The benefits of narrow row spacing can depend on the plant architecture and on the kind of crop management system. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of narrow row spacing on the grain yield of maize hybrids growing under different management systems. Six experiments were carried out in Eldorado do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, during the 2003/04 and 2004/05 growing seasons. Each experiment corresponded to a crop management system. Treatments consisted of two row spacings (0.8 and 0.4 m), two hybrids (Penta and Flash) and two plant densities, which varied with the crop management system and growing season. Besides plant density, the crop management systems differed in the quantities of fertilizers applied at sowing, side-dress and use of irrigation. A complete randomized block design was used in each experiment, in a 2 × 2 × 2 treatment factorial scheme with four replications. The increases in grain yield with narrow row spacing were small, ranging from zero to 14%. They depended on the growing season and were manifested only with yields higher than 10 t ha-1, regardless of the hybrid. The number of grains per area was the component that best explained the response of grain to narrow row spacing, regardless of plant density, hybrid and crop management system. Narrow row spacing is a worth management strategy to enhance maize grain yield when high input cropping systems are used.

Row Spacing and Inter Row Spacing Effects on Some Agro-Physiological Traits of Two Common Bean (Phaseolous vulgaris L.) Cultivars

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of row spacing (RS) and inter row spacing (IRS) on some agro-physiological traits of 2 common bean (Phaseolous vulgaris L.) cultivars, at the agricultural research area, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Urmia, Iran during 2003. Experimental design was a factorial split-plot based on randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The 30, 45 and 60 cm of RSs constituted the main plots and IRSs of 5, 10 and 15 cm and cultivars of Derakhshan and Naz (determinate and indeterminate, respectively) were allocated to the sub plots. Obtained results showed that different RSs and IRSs affected the Grain Yield (GY). The highest GY was recorded at 30 cm RS (4.191 t ha(-1)) and 5 cm IRS (3.926 t ha(-1)). The number of pods plant(-1) (NPP), the number of grains plant(-1) (NGP) and grain weight plant(-1) (GWP) increased as a result of a decrease in the RS and IRS. In addition, it was observed that by increasing the RS and IRS the first pod trait had higher height. However, the Grain Protein Content (GPC) was not affected by the IRS and RS changes. On the other hand, Naz (indeterminate) had higher capability for the grain yield than Derakhshan (determinate) cultivar.

PRODUÇÃO E QUALIDADE DE SEMENTES DE Macroptilium lathyroides (L.). Urb. SOB DIFERENTES ESPAÇAMENTOS E ÉPOCAS DE COLHEITA

To evaluate the effects of row spacing and harvesting dates on seed yield and quality of Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb. four row spacing (15 cm, 30 cm, 45 cm, and 60 cm) and eight harvesting dates at seven day interval were compared. First harvest was made when first ripe legumes appeared and the last, 49 days after. For the same sowing density, the increasing of row spacing did not affect seed yield but resulted in better seed quality. The harvest date that resulted in the highest seed yield with maximum quality occurred near the fifteenth day after appearance of first ripe legumes. KEY-WORDS: Forage; tropical legume; sowing.

CARACTERÍSTICAS AGRONÔMICAS DE HÍBRIDOS DE MILHO SOB ESPAÇAMENTO REDUZIDO ENTRE LINHAS: SAFRINHA DE 2005

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da redução do espaçamento entre linhas sobre características agronômicas em quatro híbridos de milho em época de plantio safrinha, com experimento conduzido no ano agrícola de 2005 em Toledo, no Oeste Paranaense. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 4x2, tendo como fatores o híbrido (30F80, 30K75, 30P70, X1392D) e o espaçamento entre linhas (0,38 m e 0,76 m). A população de plantas foi de 60.000 plantas ha-1, independente dos tratamentos utilizados. Como resultado da redução do espaçamento observou-se aumento significativo na massa de mil grãos. Em contrapartida, para o quebramento de colmo, observou-se influência negativa dependente dos híbridos de arquitetura foliar horizontal. Outras variáveis como altura média de plantas, altura média da espiga superior, diâmetro na inserção da espiga superior, diâmetro da base do colmo, acamamento de planta e o rendimento de grãos apresentaram diferença significativa em relação aos híbridos. Dentre os híbridos, o X1392D e o 30F80 apresentaram as melhores performances, sendo assim os mais indicados para plantio na safrinha do Oeste Paranaense.

Effects of Staking and Row-Spacing on the Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum Mill.) Cultivar “Roma VF” in the Sokoto Fadama, Nigeria.

Field study was conducted at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching and Research Fadama Farm, Sokoto, with the objective of evaluating the effects of staking and spacing on Roma VF cultivar of tomato. Treatments consisted of factorial combinations of four rows spacing (40, 60, 80 and 100 cm) and two staking (staked and unstaked) laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), replicated three times. Results showed significant (p < 0.05) effect of row-spacing on all the parameters measured. Plants with a row-spacing of 100 cm recorded significantly higher mean fruit weight (188 g) and diameter (5.48 cm) than other row spacing. However, total fresh tomato yield was significantly a row-spacing of 40 cm (53.98 t ha-1) than 60 (45.7 t ha-1), 80 (37.1 t ha-1) and 100 cm (32.7 t ha-1). Similarly, staking had significant effect on the fresh yield of tomato cultivar. Higher mean fruit weight and diameter was recorded in with staked (170 g and 4.83 cm, respectively) than those that were not staked (164.2 g and 4.53 cm). Total fresh fruit yield was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in staked (46.8 t ha-1) than unstaked (37.95 t ha-1). From this study, it was concluded that even though the fruit size and the weight was higher in wider spaced rows, the total yield obtained was higher in the close spaced rows. Staking increased the yield of Roma VF cultivar of tomato. Thus under Sokoto condition, farmers can use 40 cm row-spacing (60 cm plant-spacing) to obtain a good yield of Roma VF cultivar. Staking could be practiced to increase the yield of tomato. Nigerian Journal of Horticultural Science Vol. 10 2005: pp. 94-98

Reduced Surface Runoff Losses of Metolachlor in Narrow‐Row Compared to Wide‐Row Soybean

Cultural management practices that reduce the off-site transport of herbicides applied to row crops are needed to protect surface water quality. A soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] field study was conducted near Stoneville, MS on Sharkey clay to evaluate row spacing (50 cm vs. 100 cm) effects on metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(methoxy-1-methylethyl) acetamide] transport. One day after the foliar application of metolachlor to 2.03 m wide by 2.43 m long plots, 60 mm h(-1) of simulated rainfall was applied until 25 min of runoff was generated per plot. The calculated mass of metolachlor intercepted by the soybean foliage was greater in narrow-row than wide-row soybean, 0.39 kg ha(-1) vs. 0.23 kg ha(-1), respectively. Field and laboratory studies indicated that less than 2% of the metolachlor intercepted by the soybean foliage was available for foliar wash-off 1 d after application. Antecedent soil water content at the start of the simulations was lower in narrow-row soybean. In turn, there was a 1.7-fold greater time to runoff on narrow-row plots. The greater time to runoff likely contributed to lower metolachlor concentration in runoff from narrow-row plots. Cumulative metolachlor losses were significantly greater in wide-row than narrow-row soybean, 3.7% vs. 2.2%, respectively. Findings indicate that narrow-row planting systems may reduce metolachlor runoff following a post-emergence application.

Row spacing and irrigation effects on water consumption of winter wheat in Taian, China

Management practices can have a major impact on the successful production of winter cereals. A field experiment was conducted with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) to compare the effects of two row spacing planting patterns (row width set at 30 cm, 30; or row widths set at a narrow row of 20 cm and a wide row of 40 cm, 20 + 40) and four irrigation schedules (no irrigation, T0; irrigation given at stem elongation stage, T1; at stem elongation and heading stage, T2; at stem elongation, heading and milk stage, T3) on yield, water use efficiency (WUE), evapotranspiration (ET) and soil water content (SWC) for the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 seasons at Taian, Shandong Province, China. Mean soil daily evaporation (Es) was greater in the wide row than the narrow row, and resulted in decreased SWC in the wide row. For the same irrigation treatment, no significant differences in changes of SWC and yield were found between the row-spacing planting patterns in either season. Differences in ET were found in 2005 with ET from the T0 treatment being much lower than the irrigated treatments for both planting patterns. During the cropping season in 2005, WUE of the T3 treatment was lower than from the T1 and T0 treatments at the same planting patterns. The WUE of the 20 + 40 planting pattern was lower than that of the 30 planting pattern with the same irrigation schedule, perhaps due to elevated levels of evaporation from the soil beneath the canopy and decreased yields for the 20 + 40 planting pattern. Therefore, based on WUE, the effect of the 30 planting pattern was better than that of the 20 + 40. Key words: Planting pattern, soil water content, evapotranspiration, water use efficiency, grain yield, Triticum aestivum

A resposta do milho irrigado ao espaçamento entrelinhas depende do híbrido e da densidade de plantas

A quantidade de radiação solar interceptada pelo dossel influencia o rendimento de grãos de milho, podendo ser aumentada pela redução do espaçamento entrelinhas e/ou pelo aumento na densidade de plantas. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a resposta de quatro híbridos de milho irrigado a alterações no espaçamento entrelinhas e na densidade de plantas, sob alto nível de manejo. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos em Eldorado do Sul, RS. Em 2001/02, os tratamentos constaram de dois híbridos de milho ("Flash" e "Attack"), de quatro densidades (5,0, 6,25, 7,5 e 8,75 plantas m-2) e de quatro espaçamentos entrelinhas (40, 60, 80 e 100cm). Em 2002/03, os tratamentos constituíram-se de dois híbridos ("Garra" e "Penta"), de quatro densidades (4,5, 6,0, 7,5 e 9,0 plantas m-2) e de quatro espaçamentos entrelinhas (40, 60, 80 e 100cm). A redução do espaçamento entrelinhas de 100 para 40cm e o aumento na densidade de 4,5-5,0 para 8,75-9,0 plantas m-2 têm mais efeito no rendimento de grãos dos híbridos de folhas eretas "Flash" e "Garra". O rendimento de grãos dos híbridos de folhas decumbentes "Penta" e "Attack" não foi alterado por variações na densidade e no espaçamento entrelinhas. Os efeitos da redução do espaçamento entrelinhas nas características agronômicas foram de magnitude menor que os obtidos com as alterações na densidade.

Effect of Row Spacing on Weed Management in Glufosinate-resistant Cotton

Transgenic, herbicide-resistant cultivars and equipment to spindle-pick 38-cm rows has renewed interest in narrow-row cotton production. Field experiments were conducted at four locations in North Carolina during 2004 and 2005 to evaluate weed management systems in glufosinate-resistant cotton planted in 38- and 97-cm rows. Weeds included broadleaf signalgrass, goosegrass, fall panicum, large crabgrass, Palmer amaranth, smooth pigweed, pitted morningglory, and tall morningglory. Greater than 90% control of annual grasses and Amaranthus spp. in 2004 and Ipomoea spp. in both years was obtained in narrow-row cotton with glufosinate applied early POST (EPOST) and mid-POST (MPOST) to two- and six-leaf cotton, respectively. With good early-season control by glufosinate and rapid canopy closure, there was little benefit from pendimethalin, fluometuron, or pyrithiobac applied PRE, S-metolachlor or pyrithiobac mixed with glufosinate applied MPOST, or trifloxysulfuron applied late POST (LPOST) to 11-leaf cotton in ...

Effects of variety and row spacing on radiation interception, partitioning of dry matter and seed set efficiency in late season sunflower (Helianthusannuus L.) in a humid zone of Nigeria

In the tropics, crops sown in the late season are subjected to concurrent stresses of high air and soil temperatures, large saturation vapour pressure deficits and negligible soil water regimes. The responses of three sunflower cultivars to row spacing was analysed in terms of radiation interception and use, plant to plant variability, biomass accumulation and seed set efficiency during the late seasons of 2002 and 2003 on the field in Akure, a rainforest zone of Nigeria. Sunflower cultivars (Functua local, Record and Isaanka) were cropped at 90 x 30, 90 x 60 and 60 x 30 cm row spacing corresponding to 37,037, 18,519 and 55,555 plant.m-2 Increasing density of plant stand appeared to have promoted differences in resource availability per plant during growing season. Row spacing did not significantly affect IPAR while the effects of spacing and cultivar were similar on RUE. Leaf area and dry matter accumulation are suboptimal but RUE appeared to be conservative in circumstances of high saturation vapour pressure deficit and soil moisture stress of the late season. Crops in wide rows intercepted less radiation than their counterparts in narrow rows, and yield response to narrow rows was significant in all cultivars. Seed yield/ha increased as plant density increased although yield of the individual plants and their components were significantly reduced. Among the cultivars, differences in the growth of individual plant at different intensities of inter plant competition were obtained, narrow row spacing enhanced plant-plant variability (inter-plant variation). Under the limiting soil water situation enhanced soil temperatures of the late season EF relates to plant biomass (r2 > 0.70), dry matter relates to accumulated intercepted radiation IPAR (r2 > 0.90) and fractional intercepted radiation (fIPAR) relates to seed yield (r2 > 0.95) while fIPAR is a function of thermal time (TT) (r2 > 0.80). Key words: Sunflower, cultivars, late season, RUE, extinction coefficient, plant-plant variability, dry matter partitioning, seed set, seed yield

Row Spacing, Plant Populations, and Cultivar Effects on Soybean Production Along the Texas Gulf Coast

Row Spacing, Plant Populations, and Cultivar Effects on Soybean Production Along the Texas Gulf Coast

Row and plant spacing effects on agronomic performance of sunflower in warm and semi-cold areas of Iran

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop. It was grown on more than 20 million hectares in the world in 1997, of which 60,000 ha were in Iran. There is a potential for substantial increase in sunflower acreage and production on dry land in Iran by applying optimum management practices. Two important management considerations are selecting row and plant spacings able to provide adequate plant density that will maximize seed yields and minimize seeding costs. This study conducted in 1998 investigated the effect of plant density (38,000 to 100,000 pl/ha) in combination with row (50 and 75 cm) and plant spacing (20, 25, 30, 35 cm) on agronomic traits of two open pollinated sunflower cultivars, Progress and Record, grown under rain-fed conditions at two dry land research stations, one located at Gachsaran (a warm region) and another in Sararood (a semi-cold area of Iran). Sowing was performed on moist soil after effective rains in early spring. Higher plant populations produced higher yield compared with lower populations in both locations. Average yield was higher at Gachsaran than at Sararood, this can be due to varietal differences. The rainfall during the trial year was 854.6 mm at Gachsaran and 613 mm at Sararood.

Effects of hybrid and row spacing on maize forage yield and quality

This study was conducted to determine the effect of row spacing (40, 60 and 80 cm) on forage dry matter (DM) yield and quality of four hybrids grown in the years 2001 and 2002. The highest DM yield was obtained from the Arifiye (24.1 and 22.4 t/ha) while the lowest DM yield was obtained from Pioneer 3163 (19.9 and 19.8 t/ha) in the years 2001 and 2002, respectively. As row spacing increased, DM yield as an average of two years decreased from 27.2 to 16.6 t/ha. No differences were found among row spacing for DM content, harvest index (HI) and ear content. As row spacing increased, whole-plant acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content increased from 214 to 227 g/kg and from 420 to 451 g/kg during the year 2001, respectively. However, ADF content decreased from 281 to 267 g/kg and NDF contents decreased from 530 to 515 g/kg with increasing row spacing during the year 2002. In this study, hybrids showed distinct differences for crude protein, ADF and NDF contents in both years. Forage quality parameter including ADF and NDF of Pioneer 3163, TTM 8119 and Karadeniz Yildizi were higher than Arifiye hybrid.

Row Width and Maize Grain Yield

Maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield increase in narrow rows (0.35–0.50 m) may be related to the improvement of light interception around silking, but percentages of grain yield increase are generally lower than those of light interception, suggesting a lower efficiency to convert the amount of intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (IPAR) into aboveground phytomass. We analyzed the effects of plant population and row spacing on grain yield and its components (kernel number and kernel weight) and on the underlying processes, the IPAR around silking and during the effective grain filling period, and radiation use efficiency (RUE) during both periods. Field experiments were conducted in Argentina from 1997 to 2001. Five hybrids were cultivated at a wide range of plant population densities (3, 4.5, 9, and 12 plants m−2) and row spacings (0.35, 0.50, 0.70, and 1 m) without water and nutrient limitations. Row spacing reduction increased IPAR around silking at low plant densities (≈8 and 4% for 3–4.5 and 9–12 plants m−2, respectively) but did not modify RUE during this period. Morphogenetic limitations in the reproductive organs of plants (number of florets per ear) cultivated at low stand densities, suppressed the slight benefits of enhanced light capture under narrow rows, yielding similar kernel numbers at any row spacing. Contrarily, a postsilking RUE reduction (≈13–16%) of crops in narrow rows compared to those in wide rows minimized or counterbalanced any positive effect on IPAR during the grain‐filling period. Hence, for the tested growing conditions, no benefits could be expected in terms of grain yield by reducing row spacing from the present 0.7‐ to 0.8‐m inter‐row distance.

Seeding date, row spacing, and weed effects on soybean isoflavone concentrations and other seed characteristics

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeds contain isoflavones that may have positive impacts on human health. Field experiments were conducted in 2003/2004 in Québec, Canada to determine the effects of seeding date (late May and mid-June), row spacing (20-, 40- and 60-cm) and weeds (presence or absence) on soybean isoflavone concentrations and isoflavone yield. Total and individual isoflavone concentrations were determined by HPLC. Seed yield, and oil and crude protein (CP) concentrations were concurrently determined. Year, seeding date, and weeds affected total and individual isoflavone concentrations, while row spacing had no effect. Total isoflavone concentration was 84% greater in 2003 than 2004. Seeding in mid-June increased isoflavone concentration by 38%, compared with seed ing in May. The presence of weeds increased total isoflavone concentration by 9%. Year, row spacing, and weeds significantly affected seed yields. Seed yields were greatest in 2004, at 20- or 40-cm row spacing, and in the absence of weeds. Seeding date affected CP and oil concentrations. Greater CP concentration was observed with earlier seeding, the reverse was observed for oil. Weeds also affected CP and oil concentrations: higher CP and oil concentrations were observed in weedy and weed-free plots, respectively. Total isoflavone yield was affected by all factors evaluated. Isoflavone yield was greater in 2003 than 2004, with mid-June rather than late May seeding, when seeded at row spacing of 20- or 40- than 60-cm, and without weeds. Finally, negative correlations were observed between isoflavone concentrations and CP concentration and seed yield. It thus seems that certain agronomic practices may need to be tailored specifically to isoflavone production if concentrations in soybean are to be maximized. The negative correlations observed between isoflavone concentrations and other important seed characteristics warrant further research. Key words: Soybean, isoflavone, daidzein, genistein, glycitein, protein, oil, seed yield, weeds, row spacing, seeding date

Seeding rate and row spacing effect on weed competition, yield and quality of hemp in the Parkland region of Saskatchewan

Field experiments were conducted on a Black Chernozem silty loam soil at Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada, from 2000 to 2002, to determine the effect of seeding rate and row spacing on weed competition, as well as on seed, shoot biomass production and seed q uality attributes of industrial hemp ( Cannabis sativa L. ‘Fasamo’ and ‘Finola’). Increasing seeding rate from 20 to 60 or 80 kg ha-1decreased weed density in all years (average of 33%) and reduced weed size (34%) in 2000. It also increased hemp plant density, biomass and seed yield (average of 174, 23 and 34%, respectively). Seed weight and protein were not affected by seeding rates, but seed oil content increased 1% in one year, when seeding rate increased from 20 to 60 kg ha-1. Row spacing (18 and 36 cm) had little or no definite effect on most of the parameters studied. Key words: Biomass, cultivar, hemp, protein content, oil content, organic farming, row spacing, seeding rate, weed competition