What is Plant spacing?
For example, "14 cm in-row · 70 cm between rows" means 70 cm between rows and 14 cm between two plants in the same row. Together the two distances set the number of plants per area: plants per square metre = 1 ÷ (row spacing in m × in-row spacing in m). At 70 × 14 cm this is about 10.2 plants/m², or roughly 102,000 plants per hectare.
The calculation assumes that every seed sown germinates and emerges. Because of emergence losses in the field, the plant stand actually achieved is usually somewhat lower.
Why does it matter when choosing seed?
Every hybrid has a plant density at which it best shows its yield potential. Sowing denser than recommended increases competition for light, water and nutrients, which can shrink the ears and raise lodging risk. Sowing too sparsely wastes the field’s potential. That is why following the spacing recommendation on the variety sheet matters.
CasSeed varieties related to this topic
The relevant characteristics are listed on each variety’s technical sheet.
FAO 700 · CRM 120 · Grain and silage maize seed
A late-maturity grain hybrid with fast dry-down and outstanding standability.
FAO 700 · CRM 118 · Grain and silage maize seed
A flinty red-grained hybrid with high protein and complete tip fill.
FAO 700 · CRM 120 · Grain and silage maize seed
A widely adapted grain hybrid with high test weight, suited to wider spacing.
FAO 700 · CRM 118 · Grain and silage maize seed
Complete tip fill, high test weight and a hybrid that rewards denser planting.
FAO 650 · CRM 117 · Grain and silage maize seed
Broad ears and a strong stalk — a mid-late hybrid for both grain and silage.
FAO 500–550 · Hybrid maize seed
Early, drought-tolerant and widely adaptable — the leader of its maturity group.
FAO 650–700 · Silage maize seed
265–300 cm plant height and 9–10 t/da silage yield; also suited to starch and feed industries.
Related terms
Plant density
Plant density is the number of plants growing per unit area, usually expressed as plants per decare or plants per hectare.
Lodging resistance
Lodging resistance is a maize plant’s ability to stay upright rather than bend or fall over (lodge) because of wind, rain or a weak stalk.
Germination and emergence vigour
Germination is the seed taking up water and putting out a root and shoot; emergence vigour is the germinated seed’s ability to reach the soil surface quickly and strongly.