Canopy Architecture at Various Population Densities and the Growth and Grain Yield of Corn2
1968
Williams, W. A. | Loomis, R. S. | Duncan, W. G. | Dovrat, A. | Nunez A., F
Parameters of canopy architecture were related to light interception and productivity using data from a field experiment with corn grown at population densities from 17,500 to 125,000 plants per hectare. With nutrients and soil moisture nonlimiting, the amount of solar radiation intercepted by the foliage canopy was a major determinant of crop growth during the vegetative stage. Leaf arrangements with a preponderance of erect leaves, occurring just before the tassels emerged, allowed the deepest penetration of light into the foliage canopy and gave the highest crop growth rates. Computer simulation of photosynthetic production using the measured foliage display characteristics closely approximated measured rates of growth before anthesis. The yield of grain correlated well with crop growth rates up to an optimum population density, but then became negatively associated with density as further increases in the numbers of growing pouits apparently placed too great a demand on the community's metabolite-producing ability.
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