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ON-FARM EVALUATION OF TWIN-ROW CORN AND SOYBEAN IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

Applied Research

Lizabeth Stahl
Extension Educator - Crops
University of Minnesota
Sherburn

Abstract

\r\n    Growers are questioning if crops planted in twin rows, a system where crops are planted in row pairs six to eight inches apart and the center of row pairs are separated by 30 inches, yield greater than crops planted in 30-inch rows.  This study was initiated to determine 1) if corn and/or soybean yield could be increased by planting in twin-rows compared to 30-inch rows and 2) if the response to planting population differs in twin rows compared to 30-inch rows.  Replicated trials were established by Welcome and Wilmont, MN with two producers who had been planting crops in twin rows for a number of years.  Twin rows were compared to 30-inch rows at 3 planting populations in corn (33,000, 38,000, and 43,000 live seeds/ac) and soybean (100,000, 140,000, and 180,000 live seeds/ac).  Stand counts were taken after emergence in both crops and again in soybean prior to harvest.  Grain yield and moisture were recorded at harvest.  Results were analyzed by ANOVA and means separated using Fisher’s Protected LSD at the 0.05 and 0.10 significance levels.  Row spacing and population had no effect on soybean yield at either site in 2010.  Corn yield was greatest in twin-rows at the highest population at the Wilmont site while row spacing had no effect on yield at the Welcome site.  This study suggests planting corn in twin-rows can result in a slight yield increase at very high populations, although there was no clear advantage to planting at very high seeding rates.

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: L.A.B. Stahl*, J.A. Coulter, S.L. Naeve
  1. Stahl*, L. Extension Educator in Crops, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota, 56187
  2. Coulter, J. Extension Corn Agronomist, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota, 55108
  3. Naeve, S. Extension Soybean Agronomist, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota, 55108