Response to planting density for corn hybrids grown under narrow and conventional row spacing

Bandy, Bradley

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/49618 Copy

Description

Title

Response to planting density for corn hybrids grown under narrow and conventional row spacing

Author(s)

Bandy, Bradley

Issue Date

2014-05-30T16:52:39Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Below, Frederick E.

Department of Study

Crop Sciences

Discipline

Crop Sciences

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Corn
• Plant Density
• Row Spacing
• Hybrid
• Yield Componets

Abstract

Over the past 80 years, increases in corn grain yield have occurred concomitantly with greater plant densities. In order to maintain steady improvements in grain yield, greater plant densities will need to be managed with population tolerant hybrids and narrower row spacing (e.g., 51 cm vs. 76 cm rows). Narrowing corn rows relieves intra-row competition, and provides the plant with a more equidistant arrangement, this allows the roots more ample space to explore for water and nutrients, and it also allows for more light penetration into the lower canopy. Previous research has shown inconsistent results with regards to narrow rows with mostly insignificant to small yield increases reported. In addition to row spacing, optimum plant densities have also been highly contested, and are likely dependent on weather in a given year, and individual hybrid tolerances to population stress. A study was conducted across three site-years using narrow (51 cm) and conventional (76 cm) row spacing and five plant densities (62, 74, 86, 99, and 111 plants ha-1 x 1000). Seed availability in each year did not allow for a consistent set of hybrids to be grown across all three locations, as a result, 20 hybrids were grown in 2012 and 24 hybrids were grown in 2013. Narrow row spacing did not significantly increase yield at any location, though narrower rows tended to yield more at higher planting densities (> 99,000 plants ha-1), and tended to yield less in lower than optimum planting densities (< 76,000 plant ha-1). Differential hybrid responses to row spacing and planting density were also observed with some hybrids producing greater yield in narrow rows and few hybrids indicating producing lower yields in narrow rows. In general, hybrids that performed well in conventional row spacing also performed well in a narrow row system.

Graduation Semester

2014-05

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/49618

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2014 Bradley Bandy

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