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*Our previous Field Day was held August 13, 2009
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Randall Smoot
P.O. Box 126
Novelty, MO 63460
Phone: 660-739-4410
Email: SmootR@missouri.edu
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January 28, 1998
1996-1997 Narrow Row Corn Study
by
David Quarles
Regional Agronomy Specialist
Greenley Research Center
Novelty, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
There has been recent interest in planting corn in narrow
rows (less than 30 inches). However as early as 1965 Illinois
research was showing yield increases from 0 to 25%. The reasons
for the yield increases as listed by Dr. J.W. Pendleton are as
follows:
- Narrow rows permit a more even plant distribution and
reduction in inter-plant competition for moisture, nutrients and
light.
- This lessening of competition permits greater exploitation of
increased planting rates.
- The narrow rows and increased planting rates shade the ground
sooner and thereby reduce weed growth and soil moisture
evaporation.
In the winter of 1996 the Greenley Advisory committee
recommended that the staff at Greenley conduct a narrow row corn
study. Recent articles in the farm press were highlighting other
Midwest research showing narrow corn yield increases over the
conventional 30 inch row spacings. Thus this study was
initiated. It is just one of several others also initiated in
Missouri at this time. Other studies have been initiated by Dr.
Bill Wiebold and Dr. Harry Minor, MU Agronomy Dept., Columbia,
MO.
Material and Methods
A narrow row corn study comparing 15" rows versus the
traditional 30" rows was established at the Greenley Research
Center, Novelty, MO. for 1996 and 1997. The study was placed on
a Putnam silt loam soil. The preceding crop was soybeans for
both years. Tillage included a field cultivation and disking for
each year.
The three corn hybrids used for this study were; 1) Pioneer
3394, 2) CIBA 4494, and 3) Lewis 5584. Seeding rates were 27,000
kernels/acre for both row spacings. In 1996 a John Deere 6 row
7000 corn planter was used. The 15" row spacings were obtained
by doubling back and physically splitting the previously planted
30" rows. In 1997 an 20 foot split-row Kinze planter was used.
The re-plant date for 1996 was June 5; and for 1997 was May
23. A lindane-diazinon seed treatment was used both years for
potential soil insect control. Pounce insecticide was added to
the herbicides for potential black cutworm control. Bicep was
used both years @ 3.2 qts./acre. Excellent weed control was
observed both years.
Rainfall was heavier in 1996 totaling 12.01" in May, 3.63"
in June, 2.69" in July and 5.45 " in August. The 1997 rainfall
was lighter averaging 5.5" in May, 2.7" in June, 2.8" in July
and 2.7" in August.
Nitrogen fertilizer @160 lbs./acre as ammonium nitrate was
broadcast perpendicular to the plot direction within one week
after planting. Stand counts were taken 3-4 weeks after planting
for both years.
The experimental design was a split plot with three
replications. The corn hybrids were the main plots and the two
row spacing treatments served as sub-plots. Plot size was 15
feet by 430 feet in 1996 and 20 feet by 430 feet in 1997.Yields
were obtained by harvesting the same middle rows for both row
spacing treatments for both years. Harvest dates were Oct. 31 in
1996 and Oct. 10 in 1997.
1996 Results and Discussion
The 1996 stand counts averaged 23,900 plants/acre for the
15" row spacings and 23,200 plants/acre for the 30" row spacings
across all hybrids. As seen in Table 1. below there was a
significant yield disadvantage in 1996 to the 15" row spacings at
169 bu/a versus the 30 " row spacing yield average of 175 bu/acre
across all three hybrids The Lewis 5584 hybrid experienced the
greatest yield disadvantage to 15" rows.
1996 Narrow Row Corn Study
Greenley Research Center, Novelty, MO
Table 1. Average Corn Yields by Row Spacing Across Hybrids
Hybrid Average Yields by Row Spacing Change
(3 replications) bu/ac
15" Rows 30" Rows
-------------------------------------------------------------
1 Pioneer 3394 174 176 -2
2 CIBA 4494 166 169 -3
3 Lewis 5584 167 180 -13
Average 169* 175* -6
* Significant@ .05 level of probability
LSD = 4.3 and CV =2.17%
1997 Results and Discussion
The 1997 planter calibration was not as accurate as desired.
Stand counts for the 15" inch row spacings across all hybrids
averaged 24,100 plants/acre versus 28,100 plants/acre for the 30"
row spacing.
However, as can be seen in Table 2., there was no
significant yield advantage across all three hybrids to either
15" row spacings, average yield of 107 bu/a, versus 30" row
spacings with an average yield of 108 bu/acre.
1997 Narrow Row Corn Study
Greenley Research Center, Novelty, MO
Table 2. Average Corn Yields by Row Spacing Across Hybrids
Hybrid Average Yields by Row Spacing Change
(3 replications) bu/ac
15" Rows 30" Rows
------------------------------------------------------------
1 Pioneer 3394 103 104 -1
2 CIBA 4494 94 95 -1
3 Lewis 5584 123 124 -1
Average 107 NS 108 NS -1
NS @ .05 level of probability and CV=1.81%
There was a significant difference among corn hybrids.
Lewis 5584 yielded the best for 1997.
1996-1997 Results and Discussion
A combined analysis for 1996 and 1997 corn yields was
performed using the M-Stat program. In this analysis years were
considered random events. In table 3 the average corn yields
across the three hybrids and the two years indicate that there is
no significant yield advantage of one row spacing over the other.
1996-1997 Narrow Row Corn Study
Greenley Research Center, Novelty, MO
Table 3. Average Corn Yields by Row Spacing Across Hybrids
Hybrid Average Yields by Row Spacing Change
(3 replications) bu/ac
15" Rows 30" Rows
-------------------------------------------------------------
1 Pioneer 3394 138 140 -2
2 CIBA 4494 130 132 -2
3 Lewis 5584 145 152 -7
Average 138 NS 141 NS -3
NS Significant @ .05 level of probability and CV= 2.13%
Conclusions
The year x hybrid interaction was significant as was the
year x row spacing interaction. However, the hybrid x row
spacing interaction was not significant.
And most importantly the effect of row spacing on yield was not
significant. So at this point according to this study there was
no yield advantage of planting corn in 15" row spacings over the
conventional 30" row spacings.
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