Row Spacing, Landscape Position, and Maize Grain Yield

Abstract EN

The use of narrow row spacing for the different landscape positions of a field could punish maize (Zea mays L.) 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/m2 at the summit, 6.5 plants/m2 at shoulder-slope position, and 7.6 plants/m2 at foot-slope position) with three row spacings (0.38 m, 0.52 m, and 0.38 m in a 2×1 skip-row pattern).

At the silking stage of maize crops, soil water content (0–200 cm depth) and maximum light capture differed (0.05

Differences in grain yield among landscape positions (mean 806, 893, and 1104 g/m2 at 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.