July 24, 2003

 

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Twin Row Corn, Planting to Compensate for Drought

North Dakota State University researchers believe that planting corn in twin rows may be one way to get the most out of limited precipitation, according to Erik Ericksmoen, agronomist at the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center.

"Corn production using narrow row techniques and high plant populations is the current trend throughout many of the corn growing regions in the United States," Eriksmoen says. "But when it gets dry, the wider the row - the better." (How does he know? Previous research shows. . .

Yet, in the last few years, plant population recommendations for optimum yield have increased from 16,000 to 18,000 plants per acre to a current recommendation of 22,000 to 24,000.

How can producers in drier regions increase plant population and still utilize wide row spacing? Eriksmoen says twin row planting might be the answer.

By planting two rows close together and separating them from the next two rows with a greater distance, Eriksmoen feels that producers should be able to boost plant populations without creating an overcrowding problem which impairs growth and efficient moisture use.

"This method allows the plants more room to grow, and also more room for the roots to expand and take up moisture in the soil," Eriksmoen says.

Twin row planting was first adapted to the peanut industry and later tried in the Corn Belt, where it proved unnecessary because of adequate moisture conditions. Last year, the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center tested twin row planting with no success.

Nevertheless, Eriksmoen is hopeful about the trial in Hettinger. "I think it will be successful in the western part of the state where moisture is limiting," he says.

The plots in Hettinger feature the following three tests:

• 15 inches between paired rows, 30 inches between sets
• 7 inches between paired rows, 30 inches between sets
• 30 inches between each evenly spaced row (standard)

In addition, two varieties and two plant populations are subject to each of the three growing scenarios.

If the experiments reveal a yield advantage, twin row planting could easily be incorporated on the farm, because planting technology is already available due to previous attempts, says Eriksmoen.

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Source: Erik Eriksmoen, (701) 567-4325, eric.eriksmoen@ndsu.nodak.edu
Writer: Teresa Oe, (701) 879-6270, teresa.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, thomas.jirik@ndsu.nodak.edu