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Influence of Plant Spacing and Population on Aspects of the Microclimate within Corn Ecosystems¹

Three experiments were designed to evaluate the influence of planting pattern (drilled, hill-dropped, and checked) and plant population on the microclimate of corn. Data were collected on an hourly basis between 0600 and 2400 hours for a period of days following pollination. The quantity of light reaching the soil through the leaf canopy was statistically greater under hilled than drilled corn, diminished with increasing plant population but remaining stable at populations of 49,400 or more plants per hectare. Light was the only factor influenced significantly by planting patterns. Soil temperatures at a depth of five centimeters under a stand of 69,160 plants/ha were reduced 10 C and under a stand of 19,760 by 5.5 C (at 1400 hours) compared to an outside bare soil location. Air temperatures within ecosystems were not greatly modified by population or method of planting. Relative humidity increased with increasing plant population. Microclimate readings were affected by the time at which the reading was taken.

Key Words: Zea mays L. • soil and air temperatures • relative humidity • wind movement • evaporation • light

² Professor, University of Nebraska.

Received for publication June 9, 1967.