Twice the Soys???

Decreasing row width increases yield! This is especially true for lower heat unit areas. With narrower rows it takes fewer days to full canopy closure. This maximizes the amount of light intercepted by growing plants and increases final yield (Table 1).

*Values based on research on clay loam soils in the 3250 CHU area. The response to row width reductions is reduced under stressful growing conditions.

What about producers who are sticking with wide rows? Equipment suitability, soil conditions, white mould pressure, and inter-row cultivation are reasons producers may choose not to adopt narrow rows.

Planting soybeans in a twin 30" row (two 7.5" rows planted on 30" centres) increased yields over 30" single rows.(see Table 2). Twin rows produced 4.9 bu/ac more in no-till and 4.7 bu/ac more in spring zone-till systems compared to single 30" rows. Yields were essentially equal between single and twin row configurations when fields were fall moldboard plowed. Yields were similar at 22.5 in. or less when comparing fall moldboard plow and no-till systems. When row widths were narrowed from 30" to 15" in single row no-till systems yields jumped 13%, while moldboard plow yields only increased by 6%.

LSD (P=0.05) = 2.4

The bottom line? If you're going to plant wider rows in a no-till system, consider twin rows for maximum yield potential. Narrowing rows also increases yield potential if you're plowing, but the effect is less dramatic. Twin rows may not give twice the soys, but they do increase yields in wide row no-till!

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