Twin‐ and Single‐Row Corn Production in Northeast Missouri

Producers may consider adopting narrow‐row corn (Zea mays L.) due to potential yield advantages; however, variable yield benefits, risk, and costs may limit adoption. Twin‐row corn planted in two 7.5‐inch spaced rows on 30‐inch centers allows farmers to utilize existing harvest equipment. Research was conducted on claypan soils to evaluate the effect of twin‐row corn compared to narrow‐ (≤ 22.5‐inch) and 30‐inch single‐row corn in separate small‐plot conventional, no‐till, and large‐plot no‐till trials in Northeast Missouri. This research determined the effect of (i) row spacing on intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR) and grain yield, and (ii) twin‐row plant arrangement and population compared with single rows on grain yield. There was no grain yield increase with narrow‐row compared with twin‐ or single‐row corn. Recommendations for plant populations in narrow‐, twin‐, and singe‐row spacings were similar since there was no interaction between row spacing and plant population for the hybrids in this research. Twin‐ and 30‐inch single‐row corn grain yield and IPAR was similar regardless of twin‐row corn plant placement in all trials except in large‐plot, no‐till research with a natural European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) infestation.