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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Production Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #275894
Title: Comparing single-row and twin-row corn production in the mid south

Author
item Bruns, Herbert
item EBELHAR, M - Mississippi State University
item Abbas, Hamed

Submitted to: Crop Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/8/2012
Publication Date: 4/13/2012
Citation: Bruns, H.A., Ebelhar, M.W., Abbas, H.K. 2012. Comparing single-row and twin-row corn production in the mid south. Crop Management. 1:1-48, doi:10.1094/CM-20120404-01-RS.

Interpretive Summary: Irrigated corn was grown in both single- and twin-rows stands of 27 032, 32 312, 36 833, and 41 217 plants/A and N-fertilizer rates of 180, 220, and 260 lbs N/A at Stoneville, MS in 2007 and 2008. Twin-row plantings only yielded more than single-rows at 32 312 and 36 833 plants/A in 2007. All other single- and twin-row plantings at comparable stands yielded the same both years. Despite irrigation, higher temperatures during July in 2008 than in 2007 resulted in less grain yield, less 100-kernel weights, and high levels of aflatoxin and fumonisin grain contamination. Row type or N-fertilizer rates had no effect on aflatoxin or fumonisin. Leaf area index did not change with row type or nitrogen fertilizer rates but did increase with increases in stand in 2007 due to above average rainfall during July. Nitrogen fertility had no impact on any of the data collected in this experiment.

Technical Abstract: Irrigated corn (Zea mays L.) was grown at Stoneville, MS in single-and twin-rows at 27 032, 32 312, 36 833, and 41 217 plants/A and N-fertilizer rates of 180, 220, and 260 lbs N/A. Stands, leaf area index (LAI), yield, test weight, 100-kernel weight, lodging, and mycotoxins were determined. LAI was unaffected by row type or N-fertilizer but increased with stand increases in 2007 due to above average rainfall in July vs. drought in July, 2008. Greater yields occurred in 2007 than 2008 with no difference between row types except twin-rows at 32 312 (238 bu/A) and 36 833 (244 bu/A) plants/A in 2007 being greater than single-rows (224 and 227 bu/A, respectively). Row type nor N-fertilizer affected 100-kernel weights, though they did decline in 2007 as stands increased from 27 032 (1.37 oz) to 32 312 (1.28 oz) plants/A. In 2008, 100-kernel weights were less, with the two lower stands not different (1.08 and 1.11 oz) and the two higher stands (1.05 oz) less than the 32 312 stand. Lodging occurred in 2007 due to a mid-July storm and was greater in denser stands. Aflatoxin and fumonisin were higher in 2008 (901.8 ppb and 8.6 ppm) than 2007 (0.4 ppb and 0.6 ppm). Row type and N-fertilizer rate had no effect on mycotoxins.