Abstract
The effect of different maize cropping systems and economic implications were investigated at two localities from 1994 to 2000. Soil types differed, and the topsoil at Bloekomspruit and Viljoenskroon contained 17% and 5% clay, respectively. The five primary cropping systems consisted of plough × 0.92 m rows, chisel × 0.92 m rows, chisel × 1.80/0.92 m rows, rip × 1.50 m rows and rip × 2.30 m rows. Each treatment was further divided into three plant densities (15 000, 21 000 and 28 000 plants ha−1). The ploughing treatment, at the highest plant density, yielded significantly higher at both localities than any of the other treatments during the wetter seasons. During average to dry seasons, however, chisel × 0.92 m rows and rip × 1.50 m rows, at intermediate and high plant densities, resulted in significantly higher yields than ploughing. Economically, chisel × 0.92 m rows and rip × 1.50 m rows were the most effective and stable treatments on the heavier soil and rip × 1.50 m rows on the sandier soil. Ploughing was shown to be a profitable economic option in some seasons but the yield variation effect over time renders it too risky a proposition. Wide row spacing was not a profitable economic option at either locality. Margins of profit for different treatments, however, depended strongly on prevailing maize prices.
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Claims 8
Claim · model-written summary
At the highest density, ploughing yielded significantly more maize at both localities in wetter seasons than other treatments.
- Treatment
- ploughing treatmente0
- Outcome
- yieldede0
- Direction
- highere0
- Qualifier
- at the highest plant densitye0
- Comparator
- other treatmentse0
- Setting
- Bloekomspruit and Viljoenskroone1
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The ploughing treatment, at the highest plant density, yielded significantly higher at both localities than any of the other treatments during the wetter seasons.”
t0“Maize”
e1“Bloekomspruit and Viljoenskroon”
Claim · model-written summary
Chisel with 0.92 m rows at intermediate and high densities yielded significantly more maize than ploughing in average to dry seasons.
- Treatment
- chisel × 0.92 m rowse0
- Outcome
- yieldse0
- Direction
- highere0
- Qualifier
- at intermediate and high plant densitiese0
- Comparator
- ploughinge0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“During average to dry seasons, however, chisel × 0.92 m rows and rip × 1.50 m rows, at intermediate and high plant densities, resulted in significantly higher yields than ploughing.”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Rip with 1.50 m rows at intermediate and high densities yielded significantly more maize than ploughing in average to dry seasons.
- Treatment
- rip × 1.50 m rowse0
- Outcome
- yieldse0
- Direction
- highere0
- Qualifier
- at intermediate and high plant densitiese0
- Comparator
- ploughinge0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“During average to dry seasons, however, chisel × 0.92 m rows and rip × 1.50 m rows, at intermediate and high plant densities, resulted in significantly higher yields than ploughing.”
t0“Maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Chisel with 0.92 m rows was among the most effective and stable economic treatments on heavier soil.
- Treatment
- chisel × 0.92 m rowse0
- Outcome
- most effective and stable treatmentse0
- Direction
- most effectivee0
- Qualifier
- heavier soile0
Not reportedTaxonComparator
Verbatim
e0“Economically, chisel × 0.92 m rows and rip × 1.50 m rows were the most effective and stable treatments on the heavier soil and rip × 1.50 m rows on the sandier soil.”
Claim · model-written summary
Rip with 1.50 m rows was among the most effective and stable economic treatments on heavier and sandier soils.
Not reportedTaxonComparator
Verbatim
e0“Economically, chisel × 0.92 m rows and rip × 1.50 m rows were the most effective and stable treatments on the heavier soil and rip × 1.50 m rows on the sandier soil.”
Claim · model-written summary
Ploughing was profitable in some seasons but yield variation made it too risky.
- Treatment
- Ploughinge0
- Outcome
- profitable economic option in some seasonse0
- Qualifier
- yield variation effect over time renders it too risky a propositione0
Not reportedTaxon
Verbatim
e0“Ploughing was shown to be a profitable economic option in some seasons but the yield variation effect over time renders it too risky a proposition.”
Claim · model-written summary
Wide row spacing was unprofitable at either locality.
Not reportedTaxonComparatorDirection
Verbatim
e0“Wide row spacing was not a profitable economic option at either locality.”
Claim · model-written summary
Profit margins depended strongly on prevailing maize prices.
Not reportedTaxonDirection
Verbatim
e0“Margins of profit for different treatments, however, depended strongly on prevailing maize prices.”
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