The Effect Of Planting Pattern On Light Interception And Radiation Use Efficiency In Canopy Of Three Maize Cultivars

Differences in dry matter accumulation among crop cultivars can be attributed to differences in either the absorption of incident photosynthetic ally active radiation (PAR) and/or for the conversion of absorbed into dry matter. A field study was conducted in 1999 to quantify the effect of planting pattern on dry matter accumulation. The experiment was split plot design on randomized complete block basis with 3 replications. Main plots were allocated to planting patterns: rectangular, square and diamond, and the sub plots were consisted of three maize hybrids (KSC 704, KSC 301, KSC 108). The Results revealed that planting pattern had a significant effect an PAR and radiation use efficiency at different growth stages, especially after the beginning of the reproductive phase. Leaf area index and canopy light extinction coefficient were significantly affected by planting pattern and cultivars. Significant differences were found among source of variations in respect of PAR absorbtion. Higher dry matter accumulation in square planting pattern was due to higher incident PAR and RUE compared to the other treatments.