Crop management systems and maize grain yield under narrow row spacing

Reduction in row spacing provides a more uniform distribution among plants that can increase grain yield. The benefits of narrow row spacing can depend on the plant architecture and on the kind of crop management system. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of narrow row spacing on the grain yield of maize hybrids growing under different management systems. Six experiments were carried out in Eldorado do Sul, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, during the 2003/04 and 2004/05 growing seasons. Each experiment corresponded to a crop management system. Treatments consisted of two row spacings (0.8 and 0.4 m), two hybrids (Penta and Flash) and two plant densities, which varied with the crop management system and growing season. Besides plant density, the crop management systems differed in the quantities of fertilizers applied at sowing, side-dress and use of irrigation. A complete randomized block design was used in each experiment, in a 2 × 2 × 2 treatment factorial scheme with four replications. The increases in grain yield with narrow row spacing were small, ranging from zero to 14%. They depended on the growing season and were manifested only with yields higher than 10 t ha-1, regardless of the hybrid. The number of grains per area was the component that best explained the response of grain to narrow row spacing, regardless of plant density, hybrid and crop management system. Narrow row spacing is a worth management strategy to enhance maize grain yield when high input cropping systems are used.

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Row Spacing, Landscape Position, and Maize Grain Yield

International Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1155/2014/195012 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Gustavo Ángel Maddonni ◽

Joaquín Martínez-Bercovich

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Plant Density ◽

Landscape Position ◽

Slope Position ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Kernel Number ◽

Maize Grain Yield ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Narrow Row ◽

Light Capture

The use of narrow row spacing for the different landscape positions of a field could punish maize (Zea maysL.) grain yield. Two experiments were conducted (2006/07 and 2007/08) at different landscape positions in the Inland Pampas of Argentina. Hybrid DK190MG was grown at the commonest plant density used at each landscape position (approximately 5.1 plants/m2at the summit, 6.5 plants/m2at shoulder-slope position, and 7.6 plants/m2at foot-slope position) with three row spacings (0.38 m, 0.52 m, and 0.38 m in a2×1skip-row pattern). At the silking stage of maize crops, soil water content (0–200 cm depth) and maximum light capture differed (0.05<P<0.001) among landscape positions but were similar among row spacings. Differences in grain yield among landscape positions (mean 806, 893, and 1104 g/m2at the summit, shoulder-slope position, and foot-slope position, resp.) were related to kernel number/m2(r=0.94), which was closely related (r=0.90) to light capture around silking. Grain yield reductions (6 to 20%) were recorded when crops were cultivated in rows 0.38 m apart. The skip-row pattern did not improve grain yield. Maize grain yield was optimized in rows 0.52 m apart along the sandy landscape positions of the fields.

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Effects of row spacing and intercrop on maize grain yield and forage production of palisade grass

Crop and Pasture Science ◽

10.1071/cp12344 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 63 (12) ◽

pp. 1106 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Émerson Borghi ◽

Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol ◽

Adriano Stephan Nascente ◽

Gustavo Pavan Mateus ◽

Priscila Oliveira Martins ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Nutrient Concentration ◽

Block Design ◽

Crop Management ◽

Nutrient Concentrations ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Maize Grain Yield ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Narrow Row ◽

Leaf Nutrient Concentration

Intercropping of maize (Zea mays L.) with perennial forage, such as palisade grass [Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich) Stapf], provides large amounts of biomass that can be used as straw for no-tillage systems or as pasture for animal grazing. In addition, the use of narrow row spacing may increase maize grain yield. However, it is important to evaluate intercrops at different row spacing to avoid reductions in both maize and forage biomass production. The objectives of this field experiment during two growing seasons in Brazil were as follows: (1) to evaluate the influence of intercropping and row spacing on maize yield, leaf nutrient concentration, and plant population and development; and (2) to assess the influence of row spacing on palisade grass herbage mass and leaf nutrient concentration. The experimental design was a randomised complete block design in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, with eight replications. The treatments comprised two row spacing distances (0.45 and 0.90 m) and two crop management types (maize monoculture and intercropped with palisade grass). The nutrient concentrations in the leaves of the maize plants were in the ideal range for this crop under all conditions studied. Plant height, height of first ear, and number of grains per ear were higher with the narrow row spacing. Maize grain yield was similar in both crop management types (10 301 and 9745 kg ha–1 for monoculture maize and intercropped, respectively). However, maize grain yield at the narrow row spacing was higher than that obtained with the wide row spacing (9948 v. 8905 kg ha–1). In contrast, row spacing did not affect the nutrient level or quality (crude protein concentration) of palisade grass. The amount of dry matter (DM) from palisade grass was lower at maize harvesting (4.7 Mg ha–1) and 90 days after harvesting (6.9 Mg ha–1) under narrow spacing. However, the amount of DM was similar at both row spacings at 120 days after maize harvesting (9.2 Mg ha–1). When there is no problem with water and nutrient availability, the use of maize and palisade grass intercropping under both row spacing conditions (0.45 and 0.90 m) provides an option for the production of forage DM without reducing the maize grain yield.

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Influence of row spacing reduction on maize grain yield in regions with a short summer

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2001000600003 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

pp. 861-869 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Luís Sangoi ◽

Márcio Ender ◽

Altamir Frederico Guidolin ◽

Milton Luiz de Almeida ◽

Pedro Canísio Heberle

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Planting Dates ◽

Maize Grain Yield ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Maize Cultivars ◽

Main Plot ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Maize Response

The interest in reducing maize row spacing in the short growing season regions of Brazil is increasing due to potential advantages such as higher radiation use efficiency. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of row spacing reduction on grain yield of different maize cultivars planted at different dates. The trial was conducted in Lages, in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, during 1996/97 and 1997/98 growing seasons, in a split-split plot design. Early (October 1st) and normal (November 15) planting dates were tested in the main plot; two morphologically contrasting cultivars (an early single-cross and a late double-cross hybrids) were evaluated in the split plots and three row widths (100, 75 and 50 cm) were studied in the split-split plots. The reduction of row spacing from 100 to 50 cm increased linearly maize grain yield. The yield edge provided by narrow rows was higher when maize was sown earlier in the season. Differences in hybrid cycle and plant architecture did not alter maize response to the reduction of row spacing.

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Maize grain yield enhancement through high plant density cultivation with different inter-row and intra-row spacings

European Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1016/j.eja.2015.09.006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 72 ◽

pp. 28-37 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Giulio Testa ◽

Amedeo Reyneri ◽

Massimo Blandino

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Plant Density ◽

Yield Enhancement ◽

Maize Grain Yield ◽

High Plant Density ◽

Maize Grain

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Effects of Gibberellin (GA4+7) in Grain Filling, Hormonal Behavior, and Antioxidants in High-Density Maize (Zea mays L.)

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9080978 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 978

Author(s):

Wenwen Cui ◽

Quanhao Song ◽

Bingyun Zuo ◽

Qingfang Han ◽

Zhikuan Jia

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Plant Density ◽

Growth Period ◽

Grain Filling ◽

Filling Rate ◽

Maize Production ◽

Maize Grain Yield ◽

Grain Filling Rate ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Regulatory Effects

Dense plant cultivation is an efficient approach to improve maize production by maximizing the utilization of energy and nutrients. However, dense plant populations may aggravate the abortion rate of young grains, resulting in fewer kernels per ear. The rate and duration of grain-filling play decisive roles in maize grain yield. Therefore, to increase plant density, enhancing the grain-filling rate, extending the growth period of individual maize plants and regulating crop senescence would be the first priority. In this study, we examined the regulatory effects of GA4+7 under two application methods: shanks and silks were moistened by cotton full with GA4+7 solution at concentrations of 0, 10, 60, and 120 mg L−1. The results showed that GA4+7 improved the grain-filling rate by increasing the content of auxin, gibberellin, zeatin, and abscisic acid in grains compared to control plants. In addition, the auxin, gibberellin, and zeatin contents in the grains were positively and significantly correlated with the maximum grain weight and the maximum and mean grain-filling rates. Moreover, GA4+7 increased the activities of superoxide dismutases, catalases, and peroxidases and reduced the malondialdehyde content in leaves compared with untreated plants. At the concentration of 60 mg L−1, GA4+7 showed the greatest effect on shank and silk applications (Sh-60 and Si-60) followed by 10 mg L−1 (Sh-10) for shank treatment and 120 mg L−1 (Si-120) for silk treatment. Our results suggest that a concentration of 60 mg L−1 GA4+7 for shank and silk application may be efficiently used for changing the level of hormones in grains and antioxidant enzymes in ear leaves, which may be useful for enhancing grain-filling rate and delaying leaf senescence, resulting in an increase in maize grain yield.

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Crop management systems for corn (Zea mays L.) following established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps94-051 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 255-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

G. K. S. Aflakpui ◽

T. J. Vyn ◽

G. W. Anderson ◽

D. R. Clements ◽

M. R. Hall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Crop Management ◽

Planting Date ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Management Systems ◽

Yield Reduction ◽

Soil Productivity ◽

Total Biomass ◽

No Till ◽

Crop Management Systems

Crop management systems utilizing no-till and legumes for soil improvement and double cropping represent promising systems for the preservation of soil, productivity and sustainability in Ontario agriculture. Field experiments were conducted in 1988 and 1989 to investigate the effect of planting date and tillage system on corn silage and grain yield for corn planted into either an established alfalfa sod or bare soil. There were no differences in grain and total biomass yields between corn planted in May under the no-till treatment and corn planted in May under the fall-plowed treatment, in both years. In 1988, delaying corn planting until after first-cut hay harvest on fall-plowed plots did not result in grain yield reduction compared with May-planted corn under the same tillage regime. Grain yield was reduced significantly in 1989 by a delay in planting. Corn silage yield was equivalent among all systems in 1989, indicating that no-till systems can be used effectively for producing alfalfa hay and silage corn. In 1988, rainfall in June was 7% of the average value, and as a result planting difficulties resulted in low silage yields, particularly in the no-till treatment. However, under conditions of adequate soil moisture, no-till corn following alfalfa should produce yields comparable to those with conventional tillage systems, while enhancing soil properties. Key words: No-till, alfalfa, silage corn, planting date

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Biomass, shoot uniformity and yield of winter barley

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859698005553 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 131 (1) ◽

pp. 13-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

R. E. L. NAYLOR ◽

D. T. STOKES ◽

S. MATTHEWS

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Harvest Index ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Crop Management ◽

Yield Component ◽

Winter Barley ◽

Main Stem ◽

Management Systems ◽

High Biomass ◽

Crop Management Systems

The results of field experiments in 1983/84 and 1984/85 were used to test the hypotheses (i) that cultivars and management systems which result in high biomass of winter barley will also produce high grain yield and (ii) that greater uniformity of tiller and ear size is associated with greater yield. In a set of cultivars, grain yield per plant was significantly correlated with biomass per plant despite no correlation with any individual yield component. Biomass per shoot was significantly correlated with grain yield per shoot. Treatments to increase shoot uniformity (the mass of individual tillers relative to that of the main stem) generally increased biomass per shoot and grain yield per shoot. The re-examination of data in the literature where yield and biomass were available confirmed the association of biomass and grain yield both on a per plant and per shoot basis. It is argued that harvest index is not a character which can be easily targeted for manipulation by growers, whereas crop management systems to increase biomass should be easier to specify.

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Assessment of gibberellin (GA4+7) mediated changes on grain filling, hormonal behaviour and antioxidants in high-density maize (Zea Mays L.)

10.1101/511063 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Wenwen Cui ◽

Bingyun Zuo ◽

Quanhao Song ◽

Muhammad Kamran ◽

Shahzad Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Abscisic Acid ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Plant Density ◽

Decisive Role ◽

Grain Filling ◽

Grain Weight ◽

Filling Rate ◽

Maize Grain Yield ◽

Grain Filling Rate ◽

Maize Grain

AbstractDense plant cultivation is an efficient approach to improve the maize production by maximizing the utilization of energy and nutrient. However, dense plant populations may aggravate the abortion rate of young grains and result in fewer number of kernels per ear. Grain filling rate and duration play a decisive role in maize grain yield. Therefore, increasing plant density, consideration of enhancing the grain filling rate and duration of individual maize plant and regulating crop senescence would be the first priority. In this study, we examined the regulatory effects of GA4+7 under two application methods (shank-smearing and silk-smearing). Shank-soaking with GA4+7 at the rate of 0 (CK1), 10 (T1), 60 (T2), and 120 (T3) mg L-1, while silk-smearing at the rate of 0 (CK2), 10 (S1), 60 (S2), and 120 (S3) mg L-1 were used. The results showed that GA4+7 improved the grain filling rate by increasing the content of auxin, gibberellin and zeatin and abscisic acid in grains compared to control plants. In addition, The auxin, gibberellin and zeatin contents in the grains were positively and significantly correlated with the maximum grain weight and the maximum and mean grain-filling rates; the abscisic acid level was positively correlated with the maximum grain weight and the maximum and mean grain-filling rates. Moreover, GA4+7 increased the activities of superoxide dismutases, catalases, peroxidases, and reduced the malondialdehyde content in leaves compared with untreated plants. At the rate of 60 mg L-1, GA4+7 showed the greatest effect for shank-smearing and silk-smearing (T2 and S2), followed by 10 mg L-1 (T1) for shank-smearing and 120 mg L-1 (S3) for silk-smearing. Our results suggest that application of 60 mg L-1 GA4+7 for smearing application could efficiently be used for changed the level of hormones in grains and antioxidant enzymes in ear leaf, would be useful for enhancing grain filling rate and delaying leaves senescence, and resulting in an increasing of maize grain yield.

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Analysis of the moisture content of maize kernels in over-ripe plants

Acta Agronomica Hungarica ◽

10.1556/aagr.54.2006.4.5 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 54 (4) ◽

pp. 425-430

Author(s):

T. Árendás ◽

L. C. Marton ◽

P. Bónis ◽

Z. Berzsenyi

Keyword(s):

Linear Regression ◽

Moisture Content ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Equilibrium Moisture Content ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Maize Grain Yield ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Maize Kernels

The effect of varying weather conditions on the moisture content of the maize grain yield was investigated in Martonvásár, Hungary from late August to late September, and from the 3rd third of September to the 1st third of Novemberbetween 1999 and 2002. In every year a close positive correlation (P=0.1%) could be observed between the moisture content in late September and the rate of drying down in October. Linear regression was used each year to determine the equilibrium moisture content, to which the moisture content of kernels returned if they contained less than this quantity of water in late September and harvesting was delayed. In the experimental years this value ranged from 15.24-19.01%.

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