1. Planting Systems - An Agronomists View?

2. Alternate Row Spacings Narrow row and alternate row configurations have been of studied as a means to improve yields by improving light and water use efficiencies.Narrow row and alternate row configurations have been of studied as a means to improve yields by improving light and water use efficiencies. Karlen et al., (1985) reported 5 to 10% yield increase from narrow rows over 38 in rows.Karlen et al., (1985) reported 5 to 10% yield increase from narrow rows over 38 in rows. Paszkiewicz (2002) summarized a series of narrow row studies throughout the corn belt and found:Paszkiewicz (2002) summarized a series of narrow row studies throughout the corn belt and found: –Yield response to narrow rows ranged from -1.6 to 7.6% compared to 30 in rows. Widdicombe and Thelen (2002) reportedWiddicombe and Thelen (2002) reported –30 to 22 in = 2% yield increase –30 to 15 in = 4% yield increase

3. Light Interception Paszkiewicz (2002) –Paszkiewicz (2002) – –Yield responses were more likely to occur in NW corn belt compared to other regions of the corn belt. –Attributed advantages to increased light interception in light limiting environments. Andrade et al. (2002) –Andrade et al. (2002) – –Clearly illustrated that yield increases occur in narrow rows in response increased light interception

4. Narrow Row Corn Study Years - 1996, 1997, 1998 Row spacings - 15, 20 and 30 inch Plant populations - 20-, 26-, 32-, and 36,000 plants/a Locations - Scandia (irrigated), St. John (irrigated) & Belleville (dryland)

5. Belleville 1996 - Dryland LSD (0.05) = 9.4

6. Belleville 1997 - Dryland LSD (0.05) = 9.4

7. Scandia 1996 & 97- Irrigated LSD (0.05) = 12.2

8. Irrigated Dryland Irrigated Dryland RowYieldDiff * YieldDiff * Spacing (in) (bu/a)(bu/a)(bu/a)(bu/a) 15188.713.4108.3-5.4 20185.0 9.7106.0-7.7 30175.2---113.8--- Narrow Row Corn Summary (96-98) Six irrigated site-years and three dryland site-years * Difference compared to 30” rows

9. Plant Irrigated Dryland PopulationYieldDiff * YieldDiff * (plt/a) (bu/a)(bu/a)(bu/a)(bu/a) (plt/a) (bu/a)(bu/a)(bu/a)(bu/a) 20,000166.4---103.7--- 26,000184.017.6107.5 3.7 32,000189.823.4111.8 8.0 36,000193.727.3114.610.9 Corn Population Summary (96-98) Six irrigated site-years and three dryland site-years * Difference compared to 20,000 rows

10. Paired Row Corn Believed to have the same light interception characteristics of narrow row corn (~22 in).Believed to have the same light interception characteristics of narrow row corn (~22 in). Can be harvested with conventional corn head.Can be harvested with conventional corn head.

11. Paired Row Corn - Drills Plant paired row corn with fluted feed or air seeders.Plant paired row corn with fluted feed or air seeders. Hope that skips in adjacent rows will compensate for each other.Hope that skips in adjacent rows will compensate for each other. Seeding depth control and seed placement?Seeding depth control and seed placement?

12. Paired Row Corn - Drill Near McPherson in 1998Near McPherson in 1998 Irrigated - Center PivotIrrigated - Center Pivot Planted with air seederPlanted with air seeder Yield were adjusted for harvest loss.Yield were adjusted for harvest loss.

13. Irrigated Corn 1998

14. Paired Row Corn Study Alexander, KS 2000 John Deere 1760 Row Crop Planter & 1860 Air SeederJohn Deere 1760 Row Crop Planter & 1860 Air Seeder Two corn hybridsTwo corn hybrids Target Plant Populations -Target Plant Populations - –Planter 19,500 & 21,000 seed/a (hybrid specific) –Air Seeder 25,500, 32,500 and 39,000 seed/a Measured emergence, plant spacing, seeding depth and yield.Measured emergence, plant spacing, seeding depth and yield.

15. Corn - Paired Row Alexander, KS 2000

17. Materials and Methods Six Location-Years:Six Location-Years: –Manhattan (dryland) 2001 –Manhattan (dryland) 2002 –Powhattan (dryland) 2002 –Belleville (dryland) 2002 –Rossville (irrigated) 2001 –Topeka (irrigated) 2002 Three planting patterns:Three planting patterns: –30 in, 20 in, and paired row Previous CropPrevious Crop –Soybeans All location-years –Except Manhattan 2001 Corn

18. Materials and Methods Two plant populations:Two plant populations: –Dryland: 24,000 and 28,000 plants/a –Irrigated: 26,000 and 30,000 plants/a Hybrids used: Pioneer ‘34K77’ (2001) & Pioneer ‘35P12’Hybrids used: Pioneer ‘34K77’ (2001) & Pioneer ‘35P12’ Yield and yield components were measured.Yield and yield components were measured. –Grain yield –Ears/Plant –Ears/a –Kernel weight

19. Paired Row Corn - Planter Two locations:Two locations: – Manhattan (dryland) –Rossville (irrigated) Two plant populations:Two plant populations: –Manhattan: 24,000 and 28,000 –Rossville: 26,000 and 30,000 Three planting patterns:Three planting patterns: –30 in, 20 in, and paired row

20. Paired Row Corn - Planter

21. Analysis of Variance – 2001 Grain Yield Plot Locations SourceRileyShawnee Row Configuration (RC) 0.090.81 Plant Density (D) 0.460.19 RC X D 0.590.37 C.V. (%) 22.411.8 Mean Yield (bu/a) 41134

22. Analysis of Variance – 2002 Grain Yield Plot Locations SourceBrownShawneeRileyRepublic Row Configuration (RC) 0.170.770.880.05 Plant Density (D) 0.440.780.090.74 RC X D 0.090.810.020.32 C.V. (%) 9.433.26.433.3 Mean Yield (bu/a) 67914515

23. Republic 2002 Row Configuration Grain Yield bu/a 30 in 25 a † 20 in 12 b Paired 10 b † means followed by the same letter in the same column are not different at α=0.05 † means followed by the same letter in the same column are not different at α =0.05

24. Analysis of Variance – 2003 Grain Yield Plot Locations SourceBrownShawneeRileyRepublic Row Configuration (RC) 0.980.300.930.89 Plant Density (D) 0.530.280.830.74 RC X D 0.520.540.980.22 C.V. (%) 7.98.414.043.3 Mean Yield (bu/a) 831234556

25. Analysis of Variance – 2004 Grain Yield Plot Locations SourceShawneeRepublic Row Configuration (RC) 0.040.05 Plant Density (D) 0.010.21 RC X D 0.240.80 C.V. (%) 4.813.3 Mean Yield (bu/a) 220231

26. Corn - Paired Row - 2004 Shawnee

27. Paired Row Corn Narrow rows showed and advantage in high yielding environments in the late 1990s. Narrow rows reduced yields significantly when an extended period of early season water stress was encountered.Narrow rows showed and advantage in high yielding environments in the late 1990s. Narrow rows reduced yields significantly when an extended period of early season water stress was encountered. Establishing consistent stands with and air seeder or fluted feed grain drill in paired rows can be challenging.Establishing consistent stands with and air seeder or fluted feed grain drill in paired rows can be challenging. Paired rows may have canopy characteristics similar to 20 or 22 in rows, but the advantage of these row spacings were not realized in this study.Paired rows may have canopy characteristics similar to 20 or 22 in rows, but the advantage of these row spacings were not realized in this study. If adequate stands can be established in paired rows (non air seeder or fluted feed systems) yields will likely be similar to 30 in rows planted with a planter under most dryland situations in Kansas.If adequate stands can be established in paired rows (non air seeder or fluted feed systems) yields will likely be similar to 30 in rows planted with a planter under most dryland situations in Kansas.

28. Questions?

30. Paired Row Corn 2001 RowManhattanRossville SpacingYieldEars/PlantYieldEars/Plant bu/abu/a 30 in 36.40.8137.81.0 20 in 43.41.0132.41.0 Paired39.90.9133.11.0 LSD (0.05) NSNSNSNS Plant population treatments did not significantly affect yields.

31. Planter Speed and Plant Spacing

32. Twin Row Corn K. Nelson – U of M Study No. 12345Yield % Population Reduction bu/a Twin Row 511526723131 30-in Planter 111316214142 LSD (0.05) 32NSNSNSNS8

33. Twin Row Corn K. Nelson – U of M Study 1 Study 2 Row Spacing/ Planting System Final Stand Yield Yield #/abu/a#/abu/a 7.5 in (GP PSS) 18,90010528,500132 15 in (GP PSS) 16,60011326,500139 22 in (GP PSS) 16,00010526,300133 Twin-Row (GP PSS) 18,70012426,500150 30 in (GP PSS) 18,90011026,400166 30 in (JD 7000) 27,80012925,300160 LSD (0.05) 6,700NSNSNS

34. Twin Row Corn K. Nelson – U of M TreatmentYield bu/a Twin-Row Parrallel96 Twin-Row Alternating98 30 in GP PSS104 30 in JD 700094 LSD (0.05)NS Alternating Seed Parrallel Seed

35. Plant Spacing and Indices 5 mph 11 mph Theoretical Plant Spacing Theoretical Plant Spacing = 8.88 inches (23,525 plants/a) Multiple Index Multiple Index = % of spacings less then 0.5*TPS (4.44 inches) - 5 mph = 0/20 = 0 vs. 11 mph = 6/20 = 30 Miss Index Miss Index = % of spacings greater then 1.5*TPS (13.32 inches) - 5 mph = 1/20 = 5 vs. 11 mph = 5/20 = 25 Quality of Feed Quality of Feed = % of spacings between 0.5 and 1.5*TPS - 5 mph = 19/20 = 95 vs. 11 mph = 9/20 = 45

36. Corn Transect Data Harvested 3 transects ~ 1000 ft eachHarvested 3 transects ~ 1000 ft each Weighed every ear in the fieldWeighed every ear in the field Bagged and then shelled every 20 th earBagged and then shelled every 20 th ear Measured plant spacing for every plantMeasured plant spacing for every plant ~4700 plant spacing and ear weights~4700 plant spacing and ear weights Divided each transect into 21 plant sections and examined: Yield, plant spacing deviation, miss index, multiple index and plant population.Divided each transect into 21 plant sections and examined: Yield, plant spacing deviation, miss index, multiple index and plant population.

37. Corn Transect 2001

41. Group 1 Group 2

42. Corn Transect 2001

43. Corn Transect - 2001 Coefficient P Value Intercept181.50.0001 Std. Deviation -5.20.0119 Group-73.40.0001 Transect-3.30.3678 R2R2R2R20.72 Std Error 22.1

44. Perfect Stand ? Seed Number = 100 Plant Spacing = 7.46 Seeding Rate = 28,000 seed/a Std Deviation = 0

45. Perfect Stand - Germination – 5 = 95 Seed Number = 100 – 5 = 95 Plant Spacing = 7.46 Seeding Rate = 28,000 seed/a 2.4 Std Deviation = 2.4

46. Perfect Stand – Germ + Emerge - 5 - 3 = 92 Seed Number = 100 - 5 - 3 = 92 Plant Spacing = 7.46 Seeding Rate = 28,000 seed/a 3.1 Std Deviation = 3.1

47. Corn Transect - 2001 MeanMaxMin Std. Deviation 3.16.81.1 Multiple Index 4.613.40 Miss Index 4.014.70 Plant Pop 261053100819514 Yield123.0219.560.6

48. Planter Speed Stand countsStand counts Plant spacings of 100 consecutive plantsPlant spacings of 100 consecutive plants YieldYield

49. Planter Speed Source Seed Spacing Std Dev Multiple Index Miss Index Location******** Speed (S) NS****** Firmer (F) NS**NSNS S X F NSNSNSNS

50. Yield Components Yield = seeds/acre * seed weightYield = seeds/acre * seed weight Seed/acre = seed/head † * heads/acreSeed/acre = seed/head † * heads/acre Heads/acre = heads/plant * plants/acreHeads/acre = heads/plant * plants/acre † panicles, ears or pods can be substituted Component affected by corn skips and doubles

51. Corn Planter Speed Two locations:Two locations: –Powhattan –Topeka Three planter speedsThree planter speeds –Powhattan: 4, 6, 8 mph –Topeka: 5, 7, 9 mph Seed firmer:Seed firmer: –With and without Keaton seed firmers

52. Planter Speed Standard Deviation

53. Planter Speed Multiple Index

54. Planter Speed Miss Index

55. Corn Yield Loss from Plant Spacing Variability 0.8 3.2 6.6 10.6 Vanderlip et al., 1988

56. Planter Speed Yield

57. Finger Pick-Up Test Use a Kinze Test Stand (Model 3000)Use a Kinze Test Stand (Model 3000) Ran two new meters at : 40 – 100 rpmRan two new meters at : 40 – 100 rpm –Converted to mph at 3 seeding rates Medium Round Corn SeedMedium Round Corn Seed Meter calculates Accuracy, Skips and Multiples.Meter calculates Accuracy, Skips and Multiples.

58. Finger Pick-Up Test

59. Managing Plant Spacing Select the correct hybrid for your conditionsSelect the correct hybrid for your conditions Plant it at the right time (late April-Early May)Plant it at the right time (late April-Early May) Plant the correct population – speed influencePlant the correct population – speed influence Maintain your planter and adjust it correctlyMaintain your planter and adjust it correctly

60. Planter Speed Precision Index

61. Planter Speed Plant Spacing

62. Finger Pick-Up Test

66. Planter Speed Study Corn Seeding Rates: 23,525 & 27,330 seed/acreCorn Seeding Rates: 23,525 & 27,330 seed/acre Planter Speeds: 5, 8 and 11 mphPlanter Speeds: 5, 8 and 11 mph Four row plotsFour row plots Measured grain yield and plant spacingsMeasured grain yield and plant spacings

67. Planter Speed - Corn 2000 Multiple Index

68. Planter Speed - Corn 2000 Miss Index

69. Planter Speed - Corn 2000 Quality of Feed Index

70. Planter Speed - Corn 2000 Precision Index

71. Conclusions Plant variability can result in 10% yield losses under extreme conditions.Plant variability can result in 10% yield losses under extreme conditions. Skips and doubles increase as planter speed increases, but skips reduce yields, but doubles increase yields if no barrenness occurs.Skips and doubles increase as planter speed increases, but skips reduce yields, but doubles increase yields if no barrenness occurs. Final plant population should be the first goal and then worry about plant spacing uniformity.Final plant population should be the first goal and then worry about plant spacing uniformity. Few improvements are likely to be gained when using a new or well maintained planter operated at 4 to 7 mph.Few improvements are likely to be gained when using a new or well maintained planter operated at 4 to 7 mph.

72. Experimental Design Planter-Row SpacingPlanter-Row Spacing –Drill 7.5”, 15” and 30” (low pop only) –Planter 15” and 30” Three populations (160, 190 and 210,000)Three populations (160, 190 and 210,000) Replicated three times (39 plots)Replicated three times (39 plots) Planted 30 foot strips about 1000 feet longPlanted 30 foot strips about 1000 feet long Squared plots to about 900 feet long and harvested the center 20 feetSquared plots to about 900 feet long and harvested the center 20 feet Yield monitor and weigh wagonYield monitor and weigh wagon

73. Soybean 2000 Planter Drill

74. Planter Drill

75. Conclusions When yields are extremely low, row spacing and plant population have little effect on soybean yieldsWhen yields are extremely low, row spacing and plant population have little effect on soybean yields Soybeans planted with planter units had greater establishment rates (plants/seed drop) than soybeans planted with a drill.Soybeans planted with planter units had greater establishment rates (plants/seed drop) than soybeans planted with a drill.

76. K STATE Research and Extension “Knowledge Life” Life”for

78. Planter Speed Topeka 2001 Emergence (%) Source4/284/305/4 Speed (S) NSNSNS Firmer (F) NS**NS S X F NSNSNS Expressed as % of final stand as determined on 6/20

79. Planter Speed Topeka 2001 Seed Spacing Std Dev Multiple Index Miss Index (in)(in) Keaton7.03.3511.212.7 None7.23.6810.914.1 LSD (0.05) NS0.31NSNS

80. Planter Speed Topeka 2001 Emergence (%) 4/284/305/4 Keaton0.336.793.0 None0.039.389.7 LSD (0.05) NSNS3.0 Expressed as % of final stand as determined on 6/20

81. Planter Speed Powhattan 2001 Source Seed Spacing Std Dev Multiple Index Miss Index Speed (S) NS****** Firmer (F) NS**NSNS S X F NSNSNSNS

82. Planter Speed Topeka 2001

83. Emergence (%) Source4/284/305/4 Speed (S) NSNSNS Firmer (F) NS**NS S X F NSNSNS Expressed as % of final stand as determined on 6/20

84. Planter Speed Topeka 2001 Seed Spacing Std Dev Multiple Index Miss Index (in)(in) Keaton7.03.3511.212.7 None7.23.6810.914.1 LSD (0.05) NS0.31NSNS

85. Planter Speed Topeka 2001 Emergence (%) 4/284/305/4 Keaton0.336.793.0 None0.039.389.7 LSD (0.05) NSNS3.0 Expressed as % of final stand as determined on 6/20

86. Speed and Planter Rate (1 rep) 5 mph 11 mph 8 mph 5 mph 11 mph 8 mph 27,330 23,525 Blocking seeding rates made sub plots (speed) easier to implement 380 ft

87. Planter Speed Study Yield was measured using an AgLeader PF3000 yield monitor to estimate weightYield was measured using an AgLeader PF3000 yield monitor to estimate weight (distance measured with a tape). Plant spacings of 20 plants were measured for planter performance evaluation.Plant spacings of 20 plants were measured for planter performance evaluation.

88. Planter Speed - Corn 2000 Yield

89. Planter Speed Study 27,330 23,525 Rep 1 23,525 27,330 Rep 2 27,330 23,525 Rep 3 Plant Spacing Measurement Area

90. Planter Speed - Corn 2000 Standard Deviation

91. Give the crop a head start Get a proper standGet a proper stand –Be sure planters are properly adjusted –Be sure planters are properly maintained –Consider slowing down.

92. Proper Planting Depth Planting corn and sorghum deep (2 & 1.5”) will reduce early season mortality under dry soil conditions.Planting corn and sorghum deep (2 & 1.5”) will reduce early season mortality under dry soil conditions. Source:AgWay

93. Geary County 1998 Planter Speeds: 3.4, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mphPlanter Speeds: 3.4, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 mph Target Population: 27,500 plants/acreTarget Population: 27,500 plants/acre Measured Plant Standard Deviation with a mechanical tripping lever device.Measured Plant Standard Deviation with a mechanical tripping lever device.

94. Plant Populations and Standard Deviation

95. Vanderlip et al. (1988) Less than 25% of the yield variability was accounted for by within-row spacing variabilityLess than 25% of the yield variability was accounted for by within-row spacing variability In all tests, yield reduction due to variability in plant spacing was less than 1 bu/A per inch standard deviation in plant spacingIn all tests, yield reduction due to variability in plant spacing was less than 1 bu/A per inch standard deviation in plant spacing

96. Plant Spacing About 3.5 bu/A yield reduction for each inch of standard deviation in plant spacing(Krall et al. 1977)About 3.5 bu/A yield reduction for each inch of standard deviation in plant spacing(Krall et al. 1977) Less than one inch of standard deviation in plant spacing for reducing planter speed from 8 mph to 4 mphLess than one inch of standard deviation in plant spacing for reducing planter speed from 8 mph to 4 mph

97. Osage County Plots Standard DeviationsStandard Deviations –Maximum = 6.4 –Average = 3.9 –Minimum = 2.2 Emergence related variability, not planter speedEmergence related variability, not planter speed

98. Skips and Doubles? Doubles - Plants in the double reduced grain wt/plant by 12% (range 10 to 16%) - However, no barrenness in the doubles increased yield/acre by 14 to 26%Doubles - Plants in the double reduced grain wt/plant by 12% (range 10 to 16%) - However, no barrenness in the doubles increased yield/acre by 14 to 26% Skips - Plants next to a skip yielded from 9 to 15% higher than the controls - But the increase was not enough to compensate for the missing plantsSkips - Plants next to a skip yielded from 9 to 15% higher than the controls - But the increase was not enough to compensate for the missing plants Nafziger, 1996

99. Skips and Doubles? 10% skips in a field at 18,000 plants/a will reduce yields by 5% and 8% at 30,000 plants/a. (increasing seeding rates will reduce the number of skips)10% skips in a field at 18,000 plants/a will reduce yields by 5% and 8% at 30,000 plants/a. (increasing seeding rates will reduce the number of skips) 10% doubles in a field at 18,000 plants/a will increase yields 8% and 4% at 30,000 plants/acre (reducing plate speed will reduce doubles)10% doubles in a field at 18,000 plants/a will increase yields 8% and 4% at 30,000 plants/acre (reducing plate speed will reduce doubles) Nafziger, 1996

100. Drilled Corn Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Report - 1888

101. Douglas County Soybean Project 80 acre field in southern Douglas county80 acre field in southern Douglas county Worked with K-State in the past on other projectsWorked with K-State in the past on other projects Curious about differences between split-row planters and drills for soybeansCurious about differences between split-row planters and drills for soybeans

102. Soil EC and Yield 2000 Soybean1999 Corn

103. Plot Yield vs Distance

104. Soil EC Path

105. Treatment Comparisons ** indicates significance at the 0.01 level * indicates significance at the 0.05 level