Skip-row Planting Research Articles

The effectiveness of joint cultivation of festulolium with esparcet for forage purposes in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia

The results of the analysis of the yield and biological efficiency in the joint cultivation of festulolium and esparcet with various methods of sowing and applying nitrogen fertilizers in spring in the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia are presented. The survival rate of festulolium plants after overwintering the first year of life was 86%, esparcet survival rate in single-species sowing was 86% and decreased when using the skip-row planting to 76%, when sowing with a mixture of seeds to 67%. Joint sowing of festulolium with esparcet increased the yield by 22.6% compared with single-species sowing of festulolium (30.38 t/ha of the green mass) when using the skip-row planting and by 7.9% (to 26.73 t/ha) when sown with a mixture of seeds. The energy efficiency ratio (EER) is 7.7–9.0 and is characterized as high, the profitability of the mixtures is 373%. The introduction of mineral nitrogen at a dose of 30 kg a.i./ ha significantly increased the yield of the mixtures of festulolium with esparcet in the variants skip-row planting by 29.5% and in the variant of sowing with a mixture of seeds by 11.5% due to an increase in the leafiness of the legume component. In the experiment the EER equals 4.4–5.2 and is characterized as high, the profitability of sowing the mixtures is 352%. With an increase in the dose of mineral nitrogen to 60 kg a.i. / ha, the maximum yield on the variant of sowing with a mixture of seeds is 41.84 t / ha of green mass, which is 32% higher than single–species sowing of festulolium. The increase is due to a 4% increase in the height of the festulolium plants, and 60% of its mass. When using skip-row planting, the yield was 39.11 t/ha of the green mass, which is 23.4% higher than the control. The EER equals 4.7–4.9 and is characterized as average, the profitability of sowing the mixtures is 349–364%.The arable land efficiency ratio (LER) in the mixtures was 0.96–1.06, which confirms their effectiveness.

Cultivation of festulolium mixed with alfalfa foraging purposes in the forest-steppe of Western Siberia

Festulolium is a promising but little-studied fodder crop. The authors found that in the year of laying the herbage of Festulolium in mixtures, the height of plants increased by 6–11% compared with singlespecies sowing. However, the number of shoots per plant decreased from 3 to 2, and the root length decreased by 20%. The survival rate of plants was 84.9–97.4% after winter, depending on the year of sowing. Survival decreased to 46–92% for alfalfa in mixtures, and it was as low as 46–84% when sown with mixture seeds. This was affected by a decrease in reserve nutrients - sugars in the roots of plants. The sugar content decreased by 26%, from 5.14% to 3.77%. No positive effect was observed when sowing with alternating 1–3 rows of festulolium and 1 row of alfalfa. The introduction of nitrogen at a dose of 30 kg a.i. (active ingredient)/ha increased the efficiency of skip-row planting and sowing with a mixture of seeds by 21% due to the positive responsiveness of the components to fertiliser. An increase in the nitrogen dose to 60 kg/ha harmed alfalfa, reducing its share in the herbage to 7% by the third year of use. This decrease was due to the displacement of the more nitrogen-responsive festulolium. The efficiency of crops increases with a reduction in the share of the cereal component and an increase in the percentage of legumes with an alternation of rows of 1:3. The yield was 35.7–42.7 t/ha of green mass, which is higher than that of the single-species sowing of festulolium by 19–53%. The increase is due to an increase in the leaf coverage of alfalfa plants up to 46–49% (against 44% in control) due to the optimisation of layering in the herbage. The introduction of nitrogen at a dose of 30 kg/ha contributes to an increase in yield by 14% (0.43–5.0 t/ ha) due to the increased share of the cereal component in the mixture, an increase in the number of shoots on the plant by 11.1% and their mass by 12.5–17.8%. The introduction of N60 in the joint crops of festulolium and alfalfa is not advisable since it does not give a significant increase in yield and does not pay off the costs incurred.

Effects of skip-row planting on grain yield and quality of mechanized ratoon rice

Decreases in grain yield and milling quality in the ratoon crop due to crushing damage to stubbles from mechanical harvesting of the main crop constrain the further extension of mechanized rice ratooning technology. Skip-row planting (SP), where the track zone is left untransplanted in the main crop to provide traffic paths for harvest machines, might be effective to alleviate these constraints by avoiding the crushing damage. However, it is remains unclear if border effects could compensate for the yield loss due to decreased planting density from SP in both the main and ratoon crops, and if SP could improve the milling quality of the ratoon crop. To address these questions, a SP pattern with 33.3% decrease in planting density was compared to conventional planting (CP) pattern in field experiments on mechanized ratoon rice in 2018 and 2019. Compared with CP, the grain yield of the main and ratoon crops in SP was reduced by 4.8% and increased by 4.6%, respectively. The large decrease in planting density from SP did not affect grain yield substantially because of the border effects on grain yield in the rows next to traffic paths in both crops. Panicle number, spikelet number panicle −1 , and total dry weight were responsible for the border effects on grain yield in the main crop, whereas panicle number and total dry weight were responsible for the border effects on grain yield in the ratoon crop. Milling quality of the ratoon crop was improved by SP, and the improvement in head rice rate was 2.5–7.0% compared with CP. Our results suggest that SP is effective for improving milling quality of the ratoon crop in mechanized rice ratooning system by avoiding the crushing damage, while maintaining high grain yield of the two crops due to the border effects. • Skip-row planting did not affect grain yield substantially in mechanized rice ratooning system due to border effects. • Panicle number, spikelet number panicle −1 , and total dry weight were responsible for border effect in main crop. • Panicle number and total dry weight were responsible for border effect in ratoon crop. • Skip-row planting improved the milling quality of ratoon crop by avoiding the crushing damage.

The impact of progressive cultivation technology on the productivity of coriander on chernozems of the Lower Volga region

The data of long-term research on increasing the yield and quality of coriander seeds by selecting the most productive varieties and improving the basic techniques of its cultivation technology are presented. It has been established that the most productive is the Akkord cultivar, which we have bred and released. Biochemical, biological and agrotechnical features of coriander have been studied. High laboratory germination of coriander seeds was revealed (90.1%), and field germination varied from 88.5 - 93.5% depending on the cultivation technology and weather conditions. Low growth rates of coriander were revealed at the beginning of germination and before the branching phase. By the budding and flowering phase, the formation of the leaf surface (46.2 thousand m2/ha) and the accumulation of aboveground green (26.2 t/ha) and dry (3.1 t/ha) biomass reach their peak levels. The maximum yield of coriander seeds was achieved by deep plowing to a depth of 25-27 cm for the Akkord variety - 1.41 t/ha versus 1.20 and 1.14 for the Alekseevskii 413 and Svetlyi cultivars. The greatest amount of essential oil was contained in all studied varieties in the browning phase of the central umbels and the smallest one in the period of filling and ripening of seeds. On average, over the years of research (2015-2018), the highest yield of coriander seeds (1.41 t/ha) was obtained with a skip-row (30 cm) planting and a seeding rate of 2.0 million viable seeds per hectare. With such a seeding rate and planting method, the maximum content of essential oil (1.20%) and fat (20.1%) is provided, which is 15.5-24.7% higher compared to both with a lower seeding rate (0,5 million germinating seeds per 1 ha) and higher one (2.5 million germinating seeds per 1 ha). The same pattern is observed for other sowing methods – line and wide-row planting.

Assessing Aquacrop model for pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum) under in-situ water conservation in a rainfed semi-arid environment

AquaCrop (v4. 0) model has been commonly used to simulate the crop yield under irrigated environments, but this model has not yet been calibrated and validated for simulating the yield of pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) under in-situ water conservation. Thus, a three year (2011−13) field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi with six in-situ water conservation treatments,viz. trench-cum-bund (TCB: 20 cm depth of trench, 20 cm height of bund), bund (30 cm height), ridge-and-furrow (R&F: 15 cm height), skip-row (SR: 3:1) planting, basin-tillage (BT: 45 cm × 45 cm) and control (no-water conservation). Calibration of AquaCrop (v 4. 0) model for pearlmillet grain yield and total soil moisture content was done using experimental data of 2011 and validated separately for 2012 (deficit rainfall year) and 2013 (excess rainfall year) data. For the year (2012), absolute prediction errors of grain yield were 1.7, 8.7, 14.1, 14.9, 3.3 and 7.3% for BT, R&F, TCB, bunds, SR and control, respectively, whereas Nash Sutcliffe Efficiency, root mean square error and coefficient of determination were 0.95, 0.07 and 0.96, respectively during calibration period and 0.73, 0.15 and 0.93 during validation period of deficit year. Thus, model predictions were satisfactoryfor less rainfall (<600 mm) year. Coefficient of determination R2 (0.4 to 1.0) was better for soil moisture simulation during dry-spell periods and for BT practice. The validated AquaCrop model can be used for prediction of pearlmillet yield and soil moisture under different water conservation practices in a semi-arid environment.

Highly-productive seed grass stands of meadow fescue pasture-lawn ecotype

Efficiency of industrial use of agricultural crops is determined by economic parameters of varieties and technologies of their cultivation. The paper determines appropriate seeding rates and planting methods for meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) of pasture and lawn Quart variety. These rates and methods contribute to better structure of seed grass for maximum yield on sod-podzolic soils in the central part of Russia. The authors found out that sowing from 4 to 16 kg/ ha of oatmeal seeds with a row spacing of 15 and 30 cm results in the shoots equal to 59 to 69 %. In this case, the authors observed inverse pattern of reducing the value of the index of shoots with increased seeding rate and row spacing. Breeding highly productive seed agrophytocenoses with efficient parameters of structure and sowing density (132-254 un /m2) at three-year usage of herbage is recommended to be carried out by means of row planting (15 cm) or skip-row planting (30 cm) with 8-4 sowing rates kg/ha (3,6-1.8 million un/ha of germinating seeds). This results in receiving 429-446 seed yield kg/ha during three years of usage. Most efficient way of initiation highly productive seed grass stands of meadow fescue Quart variety is seen as open sowing. It forms 13% higher number of generative shoots with 14% higher seed content in the first year of undersowing. In the second and third years of application, the influence of nurse crop on the aftereffect on meadow fescue productivity is not observed. Cultivation of meadow fescue with a sub-method is cost-effective. Efficiency of meadow fescue seeds in open sowing is 89 %, when sown under barley it was equal to 82 %. The authors make a case that the way of seed initiation of meadow fescue grass stands and nurse crop in the commercial production of seeds should be based on economic activity of seed breeding enterprises.

Skip row planting configuration shifts grain sorghum water use under dry conditions

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. [Moench]) is grown as a dryland crop in the semi-arid Central Great Plains. Growing the crop in a skip row configuration has been proposed as a means of delaying water use during the vegetative stage such that more water will be available to be used during the more critical flowering and grain filling stages, thereby improving yield under water stress conditions. The objective of this study was to determine if grain sorghum grown in a skip row configuration used water differently than sorghum grown in conventionally spaced rows. Grain sorghum was grown for three years at Akron, CO in three planting configurations: conventionally spaced rows 0.76 m apart, one row planted and one row skipped (P1S1), and two rows planted and two rows skipped (P2S2). Each planting configuration was planted at two seeding rates. Soil water was measured at several distances from the planted row at planting, flowering, and physiological maturity. Soil water depletion and water use were not affected by seeding rate. Grain sorghum was found to extract water at distances of 114 cm from the planted row. When growing season conditions were dry and starting soil water contents were low, skip row planting shifted the water use such that greater water use was seen during the second half of the growing season than with the conventionally spaced planting. These results support the observation of greater sorghum yields with skip row planting than with conventional row spacing during dry growing seasons.Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for com-munication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Direc-tor, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING OLD-AGED DISUSED LANDS IN THE WEST SIBERIAN FOREST STEPPE

Results are given from studies on improving old-aged disused lands in the West Siberian forest steppe, which were conducted in 2011–2014. The SibNIISKhoz 189 variety of smooth bromegrass (Bromopsis inermis (Leyss) Holub.) and Sibirskaya 8 variety of bastard alfalfa (Medicago varia Mart.) were sown. The variants of experiment were as follows: control (old-aged disused land); amelioration + drill sowing of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa; amelioration + skip-row sowing of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa; direct drilling of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa; rotary tillage without overdrilling; rotary tillage + drill sowing of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa; rotary tillage + skip-row sowing of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa. Most of leguminous plants (18.8%) were observed in the variant of ameliorating old-aged disused land + skip-row planting of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa. The proportion of motley grasses in the botanical composition of herbage on old-aged disused land decreased from 27.1 to 11.3–21.1% at different methods for sod plowing and direct drilling of perennial grasses. The variant with amelioration + skip-row sowing of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa turned out to be most productive: the yield of green mass was 5.96 t/ha, that of dry mass 1.75 t/ha. The variant with direct drilling of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa was somewhat inferior to it in productivity: the yields of green and dry mass were 4.46 and 1.29 t/ha, respectively. The amount of digestible protein per fodder unit was 119 g. The control variant of field experiment (old-aged disused land) showed productivity by 1.2–2.9 times lower as compared with the improvement techniques. Direct drilling of smooth bromegrass and alfalfa was found to be the most energy-favorable variant among techniques for ameliorating old-aged disused lands. Rotary tillage of sod without overdrilling of perennial grasses was least energy-favorable.

Effect of foliar applied urea and planting pattern on the leaf pigments and yield of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonolobaL.) grown in low rainfall areas of Western India

An experiment was conducted at Jaisalmer Rajasthan during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2010 and 2011 to explore the effect of foliar application of 1% urea and planting method on the leaf pigmentation and yield of guar under rainfed conditions. Skip row method of planting enhanced total chlorophyll and carotenoid content in the leaves over normal planting of guar in rows spaced at 30 cm. The grain yield was enhanced by 26.91 per cent with skip row planting than the normal planting method (799 kg/ha). Foliar application of 1% urea before flowering (F1) has shown higher values of chlorophyll at 35 DAS 1.613-1.805 mg/g fresh weight of leaf whereas dual application of 1% urea on crop foliage at 30 and 50 days after sowing (F2) has registered 3.756-4.578 and 3.261-3.998 mg/g fresh weight of leaf over water sprayed control at 35, 55 and 70 days of crop growth stages respectively. Similarly, carotenoid content increased by 35.01, 13.01 and 32.25 per cent, respectively at 35, 55 and 70 days of crop growth with dual application of 1% urea on crop foliage at 30 and 50 days after sowing (F2) over control. The yield and yield attributes were also enhanced significantly with F2 treatment. The grain yield and harvest index increased by 83 and 13 per cent respectively with dual application of 1% urea (F2) on crop foliage at 30 and 50 days after sowing. The overall increase in the biomass was attributed to increased grain yield of guar with the foliar application of urea.

English

Soil water deficits during grain fill constrain crop production in semi-arid areas of Ethiopia. Skip-row planting is a means of saving soil water for grain fill while tie-ridging can improve soil water availability throughout the season by reducing runoff. The hypotheses were that where rainfall ceases before or during early grain fill 1) maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) yield can be increased by skip-row planting, 2) skip-row planting and tie-ridging interact positively, and 3) productivity can be further increased by planting an early maturity crop in the skip-row area. Skipping a row after planting one or two rows resulted in similar yields compared with planting all rows. Maize yield was 43% greater with tie-ridge compared with flat tillage. There was no tillage by skip-row interaction. Productivity was increased by 20% when a relatively short season bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was planted in the skipped rows of both maize and sorghum as cereal yield was not affected but bean added to productivity. Tie-ridging presents an opportunity for increasing maize yield. Skip-row planting for similar conditions is unlikely to increase productivity unless bean or another crop is planted in the skip-row area.   Key words: Dry bean, intercrop, Sahel, soil water deficits, late season stress, tie-ridging.

Seasonal variation and low-cost agronomic practices effect growth and yield of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia) in the extreme arid Thar desert

An experiment was laid out at Jaisalmer for three consecutive rainy seasons (2007 to 2009) to evaluate the effect of season and the efficacy of low-cost agronomic practices on the performance of moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia L.) in the extreme arid Indian Thar. Skip row planting (skipping every third row) significantly improved pods and seed weight per plant, and consequently seed yield, over normal planting. Total readily available water and moisture availability at critical growth stages of the crop significantly influenced plant attributes and thus biological and seed yield. Relative leaf water content (RWC) at sunrise in the pre- and post-flowering stages remained above the moisture stress level. However, at midday, plants experienced moderate stress in RWC during pre-flowering and severe stress during the post-flowering stages. Foliar application of 1% urea was found to be effective only when midday RWC is more than the critical threshold value of 84%. Therefore, foliar application of 1% urea at the pre-flowering stage significantly increased almost all plant attributes and yields, whereas second foliar application at post-flowering stage when midday RWC was <84% has no impact on plant attributes and yield.

Grain sorghum water use with skip-row configuration in the Central Great Plains of the USA

-1 to determine the effect of row configuration and plant population on soil water distribution, water extraction patterns, crop water use, and water use efficiency (WUE). Three row configurations including all rows planted (s0), alternate rows planted (s1), and two rows planted alternated and two rows skipped (s2) were evaluated in a complete factorial with two populations. Soil water content was measured to 1200 mm depth biweekly with a neutron moisture meter. Total growing-season precipitation varied from 239 to 452 mm. Stored soil water at physiological maturity with the skip-row configurations were 10 to 35 mm greater than s0 across site-years. Water use efficiency was higher with skip-row configurations at site-years with mean growing-season precipitation 2.5 mm. Skip-row planting conserves water for the reproductive stages and enhances WUE and yield when water deficits are relatively severe.

Effects of Skip-Row Planting Pattern and Planting Date on Dryland Cotton Insect Pest Abundance and Selected Plant Parameters

Abstract. Three planting-date windows [early — 3 weeks before (i.e., 26–29 April) the recommended optimum planting window; timely — the commonly recommended optimum planting window of 16–19 May; and late — 3 weeks after (i.e., 6–9 June) the recommended optimum planting window] and three planting patterns (Solid — solidrow stand; Skip 2×1 — two rows planted, one row skipped; and Skip 2×2 — two rows planted, two rows skipped) were evaluated to determine their influence on abundance and population dynamics of arthropods during 3 years in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., on the Texas Rolling Plains. Arthropod species sampled included thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande); cotton fleahopper, Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (Reuter); cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover; and bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). Planting date significantly influenced aphid abundance. Fewer aphids were found in early-planted cotton (1.0 per leaf) compared with timely (2.3 per leaf) or late (1.8 per leaf) planted cotton. Similarly, ...

Yield Components as Affected by Planting Dryland Maize in a Double-Skip Row Pattern

Yield components of dryland maize (Zea mays L.) planted in a double skip-row versus solid pattern were compared at three plant densities in four trials. Ear and kernel characteristics were determined. No row-pattern by-population interaction occurred. Increased yield was because of increased kernel weight, size, and number, whereas decreased yield from skipping rows was due to shorter ears. Increasing plant density reduced ear length and kernel number. Double skip-row planting increased yield by promoting kernel size and weight in semi-arid environments. Skipping two rows and increasing plant density affected yield components that should be considered in making planting decisions.

Skip-Row Planting Patterns Stabilize Corn Grain Yields in the Central Great Plains

The highly variable climate of the central Great Plains makes dryland corn (Zea mays) production a risky enterprise. Twenty-three field trials were conducted across the central Great Plains from 2004 through 2006 to quantify the effect of various skip-row planting patterns and plant populations on grain yield in dryland corn production. A significant planting pattern by plant population interaction was observed at only one of 23 trials, suggesting that planting pattern recommendations can be made largely irrespective of plant population. In trials where skip-row planting patterns resulted in increased grain yields compared to the standard planting pattern treatment (every row planted using a 30-inch row spacing), the mean grain yield for the standard planting treatment was 44 bu/acre. In those trials where skip-row planting resulted in decreased grain yield compared to the standard planting pattern, the mean yield was 135 bu/acre. The plant two rows, skip two rows planting pattern is recommended for riskaverse growers in the central Great Plains where field history or predictions suggest likely grain yields of 75 bu/acre or less. Planting one row and skipping one row is recommended for growers with moderate risk-aversion and likely yield levels of 100 bu/acre or less.

Effect of planting geometry and fertilizer dose on grain yield and disease incidence in some mid duration rice ( Oryza sativa L.) varieties

Field experiments were conducted from 2000 – 2002 at Regional Rainfed Lowland Rice Research Station, Gerua, Assam, India, to find out the effects of planting geometry and fertilizer doses on grain yield and disease incidence of some rice varieties. The results revealed that planting geometry of skipping one row after every three rows with 15 × 15 cm spacing resulted in highest grain yield. Grain yields were similar with the next best planting geometry of 20 × 15 cm. Incidence of sheath rot disease (34.4%) and also its severity in terms of chaff number per panicle (41.4) were less under the skip row arrangement. Also, the skip row planting had the advantage of easy cultural operations in field. Yield response of Tapaswini rice to fertilizer dose was less (80, 17.4, and 33.4 kg N, P, and K per ha) in the wet season while more (120, 26, and 50 kg N, P, and K per ha) in the dry season. The study shows advantages of the optimum planting geometry of skipping one row after every three rows at 15 × 15 cm spacing.

Spatial Use of Warm-Season Food Plots by White-Tailed Deer

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimm.) appear to concentrate foraging activity along the perimeters of warm-season food plots. Because of this, we tested the hypothesis that (1) providing travel lanes (i.e., rows not planted) free of vegetation within food plots will increase deer use of the plots and result in an equal spatial distribution of forage use within the plots, and (2) skip-row planting will result in increased yield and survival of lablab (Dolichos Lablab L.), an annual legume. During 1994 and 1995, lablab was established by planting (1) every row spaced 0.9 m apart (solid), (2) 2 rows and not planting 1 row (skip 1), and (3) 2 rows and not planting 2 rows (skip 2) in two 5-ha food plots. Planting scheme did not affect spatial patterns of food plot use by deer. Utilization was concentrated at food plot perimeters on 9 of 15 sampling dates. Food plot utilization by deer was greater in skip 2 treatments only during August 1995, possibly as a result of greater forage availability resulting from greater plant survival than solid rows. Deer foraging in food plots apparently shifted foraging activities to an area of greater forage availability as the resource supply was depleted. Skip-row planting had lower overall planting costs/ha than solid planting but maintained similar forage production per hectare.

Grain Production and Economic Returns from Dryland Sorghum in Response to Tillage Systems and Planting Patterns in the Semi-Arid Southwestern USA

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] is grown primarily under dryland conditions in the semi-arid southwestern USA. Soils in the area are low in organic matter and are poorly structured. They are susceptible to compaction, surface sealing following rainfall, slow infiltration, and significant runoff and erosion. Management of these soils for efficient crop production requires different practices than those used on more productive soils. Skip-row planting of row crops is common. The practice may consist of planting two or four rows and skipping one or more rows, but one of the more common patterns is planting two rows and skipping one. The practice of skip-row planting is based upon the assumption that skipping rows between planted rows gives a yield advantage over planting in contiguous rows. A study was conducted from 1984 to 1987 to determine the effect of tillage systems and planting patterns on grain sorghum production and profitability. A reduced tillage system using subsoiling and diking of furrows (RT) was compared with a conventional tillage system (CT). The soil type at the study site varies from a Miles fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, mixed, thermic Udic Paleustalf) on the east end to a Portales clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, thermic Aridic Calciustoll) on the west end. Grain sorghum was planted in solid (contiguous rows) and skip-row (two rows planted and one skipped) patterns in 40-in. rows in each tillage system. Tillage systems produced no significant mean yield effects, but there was a significant year x tillage system interaction for yield. Sorghum in the RT system produced a significantly higher yield than that in CT in 1986 and a significantly lower yield in 1987, when yields exceeded 5000 Ib/acre. There was a perched water table within 4 ft of the surface during part of the crop year of 1987, making the test periodically subirrigated. As contrasted with yields, net returns from RT showed a significant advantage over CT from 1984 to 1986 and no difference in 1987. Sorghum in solid plantings produced significantly higher yields from 1985 to 1987. Sorghum in skip-row plantings was competitive with solid planting only in the lowest yielding year, 1984, when yields were less than 1800 Iblacre. Solid plantings were more profitable than skip-row plantings from 1985 to 1987 with no difference in 1984. This variability produced significant year x row pattern interactions. The RT system was more stable for yield than the CT system, and the RT solid system was the most profitable as well as the most economically stable of the four systems, as measured by CVs. The RT skip-row system was the most stable for yield. Sorghum in skip-row plantings produced the lowest economic returns and the lowest yields. Skip-row plantings in RT and CT systems were the most stable for yield, and the CT skip-row was the least stable economically. Sorghum production was profitable in 3 of the 4 yr when yields were about 2500 Ib/acre or higher. Skip-row planting showed no yield or economic advantage over solid planting, and the RT solid planting was the most profitable when the 4-yr average is considered.

Row Orientation and Planting Pattern of Relay Intercropped Soybean and Wheat

Relay intercropping soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] into winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) may increase soybean yields compared with doublecropping. Once the soybean crop is established, however, it competes with wheat, which may lead to reductions in soybean plant population and seed yield. A skiprow planting pattern of wheat has been shown to reduce intercrop competition and increase soybean productivity. Row orientation may also influence soybean seedling survival and seed yield. We conducted research to compare soybean response to the effects of row orientation and planting pattern when relay intercropped into winter wheat. Agripro 'Victory' wheat was planted in solid intercropped and skip-row intercropped patterns near Manhattan and Rossville, KS, in 1988 and 1989. Row orientation was north-south or east-west [...]

Water Use, Intercepted Radiation, and Soil Temperature of Skip‐Row and Equidistant‐Row Barley

AbstractCropping systems are sought in the subarctic that improve the plant growing environment for sustained and diversified production of crops. This study assessed whether microclimate and water use of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) could be altered in the subarctic by crop row configuration and fertilizer placement. Treatments established at Fairbanks, AK, included equidistant‐row planting (0.18‐m equidistant rows) with N banded between alternate rows or broadcast, and skiprow planting (skipping every third row of equidistant rows) with N banded between the closely spaced rows or broadcast. Crop water use, net and reflected radiation, interception of photon flux density (PFD), and soil temperatures were monitored during 1987 through 1989. Banding N resulted in a higher water‐use efficiency (WUE) than did broadcasting N in 1989 but not 1988. Seasonal water use was equal among treatments, although higher leaf area index (LAI) for equidistant‐ row barley suggested less evaporation and greater transpiration than for skip‐row barley. Equidistant‐row barley intercepted 5% more PFD at heading, resulting in part from higher canopy reflectance. Skip‐row barley, however, intercepted more PFD per unit leaf area. Midday net radiation was 3% higher and midday soil temperatures at 0.01 m in the interrow were as much as 5 °C higher for skip‐row barley. In this subarctic environment, barley grown in equidistant rows appeared to utilize water more effectively in transpirational processes and to intercept more PFD for improving production efficiency compared to skip‐row planting.