Alternate Row Spacing and Plant Density Effects on Forage and Dry Matter Yield of Corn Hybrids (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Irrigated field experiments were conducted in the Marmara region of Turkey in 2002 and 2003 to compare alternate 40 : 25 cm row spacings and conventional 65 cm with four different plant densities (65 000, 85 000, 105 000 and 125 000 plants ha−1) of three corn hybrids (DK‐585, ADA 95–10 and C‐955) in some morphological traits and forage and dry matter yield. Morphological traits such as plant height, leaf per plant, stem diameter, ear per plant and ear percentage were measured, forage and dry matter yield was also determined in this study. Hybrids, row spacings and plant densities significantly affected some morphological traits, forage and dry matter yield at 0.01 level. Later maturing hybrids tended to produce taller and thicker stemmed plants. Row spacings and plant densities did not affect plant height. Average stem diameter increased significantly with population density. Row spacings did not influence leaf number, whereas leaf number increased slightly with plant density. On average, all corn plants had slightly more than 1.0 ear per plant in our experiment. Row spacings and plant densities did not affect significantly number of ear per plant. Early maturing DK‐585 had the highest ear percentage whilst late maturing C‐955 lowest. Yields usually increased with hybrid maturity. When averaged across years, row spacings and plant densities, late maturing C‐955 performed significantly better in forage and dry matter yield in all experimental years and combined years. The studies showed favourable advantage for alternate 40 : 25 cm rows over conventional 65 cm row spacings at all plant densities. Average forage and dry matter yields were greater for alternate 40 : 25 cm row spacings than for 65 cm row spacings. However, strong hybrid × row spacing interactions for both forage and dry matter yield were detected.

Phosphate Biofertilizer, Row Spacing and Plant Density Effects on Corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Yield and Weed Growth

“…However, yield components were not significantly influenced by row spacing or plant density ( Table 1). It is similar to the results obtained by Turgut et al [2] as reported that row spacings and plant densities did not significantly affect corn yield components such as the number of ear per plant. It can be concluded that improved corn yield at the narrower rows or the higher plant densities was mainly du o increasing the number e t Phosphate biofertilizer did not significantly affect corn yield and yield components ( Table 1).…”

“…In this study, the highest corn yield was obtained at the highest plant density (90,000 plants·ha -1 ) as compared with lower plant densities. Generally, increasing plant density usually increases corn grain yield until an optimum number of plants per unit area is reached [2]. However, the optimal plant density level and row width for corn may vary with location [8].…”

“…The optimal row width and plant density in corn production systems continue to narrow and intensify as corn genetics evolve [1]. Narrow rows make more efficient use of available resources and should allow quicker canopy closure and thus quicker shading of the ground thereby improving weed control in corn [2]. As plant densities continue to increase, an obvious course of action would be to narrow row spacing, distribute plants more equidistantly across the field and reduce interplant competition [3].…”

Allometric Relationships of Maize Organ Development under Different Water Regimes and Plant Densities

“…Conservation of the relationships under mild water stress is consistent with proportionate reductions in cell length and width reported in Tardieu et al (2000). By contrast, the differences in coefficients of equations where interplant competition occurred, are consistent with changes of carbohydrate storage pattern (Turgut et al, 2005;Pagano et al, 2007) and competitive effects causing etiolation (lengthening) of cells and organs at the expense of width (Bos et al, 2000;Andrieu et al, 2006).…”

The effects of different plant densities and silage corn varieties on silage yield and some yield parameters in no-till seeding

“…According to the evaluations made about plant height, the effect of intrarow spacing on plant height was statistically insignificant in both years, while the effect of silage corn varieties on plant height was significant (P < 0.01). Turgut et al (2005), Iptas and Acar (2006), Azam et al (2007), and Yılmaz et al (2007) found that effects of plant density on plant height were statistically insignificant. According to the intrarow spacing, mean plant heights were found to be between 159.3 cm and 219.0 cm.…”