Effect of row spacing on the yield of small grain nurse crops
1946
Harper, H.J.
The effect of planting a small grain crop in rows 7 or 14 inches apart on the growth of legume seedlings and yield of grain has been studied at the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station over a period of 16 years. Increasing the distance between rows of small grain from 7 or 8 inches to 14 or 16 inches by closing every other opening in the grain drill will provide a more favorable opportunity for the survival of legume seedlings during normal drought periods. Results of cooperative tests in central and eastern Oklahoma show that the effect of row spacings on yield were quite variable. The average production of grain and straw was slightly lower when drill rows were 14 inches apart and only one-half as much seed was planted as compared with a 7-inch spacing. Spring oats planted over a 10-year period at Stillwater, Okla., have produced as much grain when drilled in 14-inch rows as when planted in 7-inch rows. The average yields were 34.6 and 34.3 bushels, respectively. Michigan winter barley, planted in 14-inch rows at the rate of 1 bushel per acre, has suffered a greater reduction in yield, about 3 bushels net loss, than winter wheat, rye, or spring oats. Very little advantage in the stand of legume seedlings will be secured from wide row spacing of small grain when summer rainfall is abundant and summer temperatures are below average. During many seasons when summer drought is severe, a good stand of sweetclover will be obtained on plots when the small grain is drilled in 14-inch rows, whereas a complete failure will occur on plots where the drill rows are spaced 7 inches apart.
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