Light Interception Model for Estimating the Effects of Row Spacing on Plant Competition in Maize

A light interception model has been developed for crop growth simulation models to estimate the effect of different row widths and plant populations on efficiency of light interception. The light interception model was installed in the CERES‐Maize model. The combined models were run against data from a 1987 maize (Zea mays L.) row width experiment with 15‐ and 30‐in. row widths (0.38 m and 0.76 m) and 29 160 and 38 273 plants/acre populations (7.2 and 9.45 plants/m2). The models predicted 4.67% and 6.19% yield increases for going from wide rows to narrow rows for the high and low populations, respectively. The field trials showed yield increases of 5.13% and 6.81%, respectively. The models also predicted that the yield advantage for narrow rows would be maintained under severe water or N stress.