Corn Yield Response to Row Spacing and Plant Population in Iowa

Licht, Mark A.; Parvej, Md. Rasel; Wright, Emily E.

doi:10.2134/cftm2019.05.0032

“…A synthesis analysis of modern corn hybrids from 22 US states and two Canadian provinces from 2000 to 2014 found 84,000 seeds ha −1 , the point where corn yields are generally maximized (Assefa et al., 2016). Similar results were found across several hybrids in Iowa (Licht et al., 2019).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 82%

Abnormal ear development in corn: Does hybrid, environment, and seeding rate matter?

Ortez

¹

,

McMechan

²

,

Robinson

³

et al. 2023

Agronomy Journal

2

0

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Corn (Zea mays L.) yields have increased in the United States since the 1930s and in other parts of the world since the 1950s and 1960s because of improvements in agricultural management and genotypes. Despite these increases, production concerns still exist. In July 2016, abnormal ear development (multi-ears per node, barbell-ears, and short-husks) was reported in cornfields that extended from the Texas Panhandle to eastern Colorado and east through Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois. Surveys in Nebraska farmer fields revealed significant productivity losses due to the issues, but little was known about the underlying causes. A research study was conducted in four Nebraska fields during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. The research investigated the effects of hybrids, environments, seeding rates, and their interactions on abnormal ears. Eight hybrids, eight environments, and five seeding rates were studied. About 63,500 plants were individually assessed at or after the dent stage (R5). Grain yield ranged from 4.3 to 20.1 Mg ha −1 . In 2018, about 5% of ears were abnormal; in 2019, about 11%, if combined, about 8%. Higher-yielding hybrids were associated with lower percentages of abnormalities. Hybrids, environments, and seeding rates influenced the occurrence of abnormal ears. In most cases, abnormal ears had lower heights in the canopy, suggesting that primary ear loss may be a factor. The results reinforced the overriding hypothesis that ear abnormalities result from environmental, genetic, and management interactions. Depending on the environment, selecting certain hybrids with optimum seeding rates could help mitigate the occurrence of abnormal ears.

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“…When selecting equipment, row spacing influences sprayer wheel base, boom length, and harvest capability. Furthermore, row spacing in combination with plant populations influence interplant competition, crop performance, and final yield specifically in corn (Zea mays) grain production (Bruin and Pederson, 2008;Heitholt and Sassenrath, 2010;Licht et. al., 2019;Widdicombe and Thelen, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When selecting equipment, row spacing influences sprayer wheel base, boom length, and harvest capability. Furthermore, row spacing in combination with plant populations influence interplant competition, crop performance, and final yield specifically in corn ( Zea mays L.) grain production (Bruin & Pederson, 2008; Heitholt & Sassenrath, 2010; Licht et al., 2019; Widdicombe & Thelen, 2002). Single‐row (SR) narrower than 30 inches have become the focal point for determining if an increase in interplant spacing improves overall crop performance in grain‐producing monocultures (Haegele et al., 2014; Thelen, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A survey of twin‐row cropping systems in North Carolina

Tilley

¹

,

Jordan

²

,

Heiniger

³

et al. 2021

Crop Forage & Turfgrass Mgmt

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“…Several studies in the Midwest have reported a yield advantage when row spacing is decreased to less than 76 cm (Nielsen, 1988;Porter et al, 1997;Widdicombe & Thelen, 2002;Shapiro & Wortmann, 2006), while others have reported no yield differences (Farnham, 2001;Van Roekel & Coulter, 2012;Robles et al, 2012). Grain yield responses to narrower rows have been inconsistent but are often more consistently observed in high-yielding environments (Licht et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%