ROW SPACING, PLANT POPULATION AND WATER
MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON CORN IN THE ATLANTIC
COASTAL PLAIN
Abstract.
Lack of water because of erratic rainfall frequently ________________ corn production in the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Traditionally, wide (96 cm) row spacing and low plant population have been used to prevent water stress, but recently landowners have begun to invest in irrigation systems. We ________________ plant population treatments averaging 7.0 and 10.1 plants m2 in single and twin rows on a Norfolk loamy sand during 1980, 1981, and 1982. Three water treatment and two fertilization programs _______ also evaluated in a four-factor split-plot design. Water management and plant population interacted significantly. Planting in twin rows ______grain production an average of 0.64 Mg ha~1 (10 bu/A), but planting more than 7.1 plants m~2 significantly increased grain yield only in 1980. irrigation _______________ grain yield by 150, 161, and 8% in 1980, 1981, and 1982, respectively. ^Increasing total N, P, and K fertilizer applications beyond 200, 30, and 167 kg ha~1, respectively, _______ not significantly influence grain yield or yield components. Yield advantages of narrow rows _______________ be obtained on Coastal Plain soils by using a twin-row planting configuration. Irrigation _______ be scheduled using either tensiometers or a computerized water balance without significantly changing corn grain yield, nutrient accumulation, or yield components.
