Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: Halvorson, A.D. 1999. Row spacing effects on no-till dryland corn grain yields. Agronomy Abstracts. 91:101. Interpretive Summary:
Technical Abstract: Northern corn belt research shows increased corn yields by reducing row width. The effects of reduced row width on corn grain yields produced under semi-arid, dryland conditions with a no-till system is unknown. This study evaluated the effects of row spacing on dryland corn grain yields under no-till conditions in the northern Great Plains. Corn (39,000 to 40,000 seeds ha-1) was planted no-till into wheat stubble for two years on a Temvik-Wilton silt loam soil. Row widths were 19, 38, and 76 cm. Growing season precipitation was 12% above average in 1996 and 47% below average in 1997. Dryland corn yields were greater in 1996 (8121 kg ha-1) than in 1997 (5221 kg ha-1). Two-yr average grain yields were 30 and 24% greater with row widths of 19 cm (7364 kg ha-1) and 38 cm (7009 kg ha-1), respectively, compared to 76-cm row width (5641 kg ha-1). Although the resulting plant population with the 19-cm row spacing was 46% greater than with the 38- and 76-cm row spacings, grain yield were not reduced by the high plant population for dryland conditions. Based on these results, it appears that dryland corn grain yields in the northern Great Plains could be increased by using row spacings <50 cm.