Corn response to plant density and row spacing effects in a strip intercropping system
Date
1998
Authors
Harbur, Matthew Mechling
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Cruse, Richard M.
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Abstract
A strip intercropping system can include vegetative filter strips, which reduce sediment loads in runoff up to 85%. The greater corn grain yield possible with strip intercropping makes this system appeal to farmers. However, little research has addressed the population or row configuration necessary for corn to optimize the additional light available at the edges of the corn strips. This is unfortunate, since strip intercropping could also decrease land competition and allow more people to farm. Populations of 74, 99, and 124 thousand plants/hectare were grown in single and twin row configurations spaced 75 cm apart, at four sites in Iowa during 1996 and 1997. Grain yield and yield components were measured to explain physiological responses.
Grain yield did not favorably respond to the higher populations. It also did not respond consistently to the twin row configuration. There was little interaction between row position in strip and treatment response. Higher populations decreased the number of ears per plant, kernels per row, and kernel weight. Twin rows increased the number of ears per plant, but this increase was offset by a decrease in the number of kernels per row and kernel weight. The optimum population for strip intercropped corn is likely between 74 and 99 thousand plants/hectare. Farmers should continue to follow conventional cropping recommendations until this optimum is determined. Given the inconsistent grain yield response to twin rows, farmers should also continue to use single 75-cm rows.
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